4.0L OHV & SOHC V6 Tech General discussion of 4.0L OHV and SOHC V6 Ford Ranger engines.

Throttle slack fix.

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Old Aug 15, 2006
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From: Ripley, WV
Throttle slack fix.

My 2004 Ranger had about 1/4" of slack. It runs much better now that I took the slack. Now I have true WOT, no more "detatched" throttle feeling, and much better throttle response.
 
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Old Aug 15, 2006
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hows you get rid of the slack?
 
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Old Aug 15, 2006
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From: Ripley, WV
I learned from a member of another forum that there is sometimes slack in the trottle cable on the 4.0 SOHC that will prevent it from getting full throttle and hamper throttle response. Well, my new 4.0 Ranger (I have had for about 2 weeks now) had a sort of "detatched" feeling to the throttle. I.E. it seemed you had to push down on the throttle a little more than need be to get her rolling. So I checked my throttle body and I wasn't getting full throttle. There was about 1/4" of slack in the throttle cable when measured back at the pedal (and it was very noticable at the throttle body too). So I did what the gentleman who told me about this did and used simple zip-ties to take up the slack (while leaving a little in to keep from stressing the throttle cable and the throttle body). Now I have WOT, and the throttle response is GREATLY improved. More hp too? Who knows, but it sure is nice to have WOT (and yes it does come-on much better when you put the pedal to WOT :) ).

Sorry about the terrible pics (I couldn't fit under the dash enough to get a good pic with light, etc. But you get the idea.

 
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Old Aug 15, 2006
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Nice, this mod is all over RPS.

They swear by it!!!
 
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Old Aug 15, 2006
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From: Havre De Grace,Md
um better pics and instrctuions????? Like to do this on mine!
 
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Old Aug 15, 2006
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http://www.therangerstation.com/foru...showtopic=4854
 
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Old Aug 15, 2006
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What I did was take a crimp type eye connector, cut the eye off, remove the plastic insulation, open the end up enough to slip over the cable & re-crimped. It only removed about a 1/4" of slack but was enough to make full throttle.

Rick
 
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Old Aug 15, 2006
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From: Havre De Grace,Md
but you can def tell a difference?
 
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Old Aug 15, 2006
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mine only has like 1/16th of and inch of slack so i dobut it will even be worth it for me...
 
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Old Aug 15, 2006
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Well, when pushing down on the pedal it takes less pedal now, seemed like before I had to push the pedal down half way for the truck to move. As far as full throttle get up & go I can't really tell.

Rick
 
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Old Aug 15, 2006
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Wow, you have a tight one! Mine has 15K on it & when I pulled the pedal up it had almost an inch. Ford quality @ its best...

Rick
 
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Old Aug 15, 2006
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From: dalton,ga.
Does this also work on the 3.0.??
 
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Old Aug 15, 2006
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It should work on anything with a throttle cable be it 3.0-4.0, 4-6-8 Cyl, or EFI-Carb it should work if you have slack in the throttle cable.
 
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Old Aug 15, 2006
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I did this mod because my acc pedal was starting to sag real bad. My way is kinda hard core but it works well. here is the thread
https://www.ranger-forums.com/forum2...ad.php?t=12829
 
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Old Aug 15, 2006
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From: Ripley, WV
Originally Posted by RHuckster
What I did was take a crimp type eye connector, cut the eye off, remove the plastic insulation, open the end up enough to slip over the cable & re-crimped. It only removed about a 1/4" of slack but was enough to make full throttle.

Rick
Good idea. What gauge eye connector did you use?
 
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Old Aug 15, 2006
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From: Ripley, WV
Originally Posted by CAW
I did this mod because my acc pedal was starting to sag real bad. My way is kinda hard core but it works well. here is the thread
https://www.ranger-forums.com/forum2...ad.php?t=12829
Nice. I'll have to fire up the lathe/mill in my garage and try this. I was going to eventually do something better than the zip ties, but have not had time to try it. I like all of your ideas. Keep 'em coming.
 
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Old Aug 15, 2006
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From: Ripley, WV
BTW, at WOT my '04 is a beast compared to before.
 
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Old Aug 15, 2006
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From: Lake Elsinore, Ca.
I used the yellow connectors which are what 10-12G? or 12-14g?

Rick
 
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Old Aug 15, 2006
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My spacer took up a little under 1/2" slack. I was needing it bad. I have noticed better acceleration as well as driveability. It helps when your gas pedal doesn't hit the floor
 
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Old Aug 15, 2006
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From: Ripley, WV
Yep, it really does improve everything.
 
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Old Aug 15, 2006
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Did it and a huge difference just in passing other cars, not near the Foot to the floor as I use to need!
 
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Old Aug 15, 2006
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This is a good mod, especially since there is no factory adjuster to adjust the slack. One small word of warning - it is possible to overdo it. Just take out what you need to get the throttle to open fully when floored, no more. You can put a tremendous load on that small cable if the throttle arm hits the stop before the pedal hits the floor. A few owners have broken cables after the mod, 4.0L's in particular.
 
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Old Aug 15, 2006
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From: Livonia, Mi
i did this a few months ago, but i used a scotchlok and put a wiretie over it so it wont pop off.
it made it sooo much better.. plus i have rubber floor mats..
but my pedal was laying on the mat before i did it.. so i never had WOT..
to old cables.
 
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Old Aug 15, 2006
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whats wot lol...?
 
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Old Aug 15, 2006
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Originally Posted by 4X2XLT
whats wot lol...?
me taking a guess but i think its wide open throttle
 
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