Increase Tow Rating
 

There’s been a lot of questions about towing on here lately so I figure id ask a towing question. Can you increase the towing capacity of a ranger and still keep the v6. Im just wondering if theres some upgrades you can do that will give you a better tow capacity so I don’t have to resort to the mpgs you get from a v8. im thinking like gears and a different trany and if that’s what id need what size gears and what trany?

Gears would help, but then your mileage would go down anyway (like a V8) You have to remember too that the most Ford rated a Ranger for is 5800 pounds I believe. My truck is actually rated at 3500 because its a manual, but I pull 2000 pounds more than that all the time....

Edit: Performance mods such as headers, a tuner, cold air intake, and exhaust, along with synthetic fluids and a gear (as stated) would make your truck tow completely different as well. Just an FYI....

another way to increase the load rating is to install Chevy leaf springs......but they your limit is the frame and engine.....

do not exceed 6k lbs ever with a ranger tranny issues will start to arise. lol

also many things you can do to help control the load better/safer but it you will never get above 6k lbs.

2003 Explorer
with chevy springs, boxed frame, and the v8 swap could you get abouve 7,300 pounds? i know you arnt running the v6 anymore but i love the compact trucks and would kill for one that could haul a full size truck

what do you want to tow?

You could:

Swap in a 7.3 liter powerstroke diesel

Add about 1000 lbs of steel boxing the frame and randomly plating the frame to add more weight. Also more crossmembers to keep the ranger from being torn apart from the engine.

Obviously you will need the F-250 Diesel tranny.

Then you will need the axles and brakes from the F-250. Swap those badboys in.

Finally, modify your rearend so that a much stronger hitch will fit from an f-250. Make sure it attaches to your reinforced frame.

There ya go, perfectly set up to tow!

I think it would be easier to mount a ranger body on a F250.... :crazy:

Steve, its a compact truck. Zack is right, going past 6000 pounds is asking for trans. trouble and aside from that, even tho the ranger has a nice long wheel base, they aren't very wide, so there is a stability issue when you get into the kind of weight you are talking about. I say, if you want to pull something huge, get a full size truck. 7300 pounds is allot!

That being said, the mods I listed above will greatly improve your rangers ability to tow (within reason).

Slowing it down would be the biggest issue I see. You would for sure need a manual trans.

Well while in the subject I have a question for you towing experts. My truck has an efi 302, AOD tranny, Class III Hitch, Electric Brakes, HD Leaf Springs, and Air Bags. What do u think this would be able to tow in comparison?

heck a 1/2 ton truck can barely tow a 1/2 ton truck. better go 3/4

not really, electric trailer brakes would do it all fine.

nothing will increase your rating, if DOT Pulls you over having leafs or engine swap wont matter. Will they allow you to tow more yes, will it be legal? no.

???... i live in the valley so no matter where i drive im going up a mountain. i love the size of a compact truck while hunting. i wont have another chance to buy a truck (like a 250) until after a. my trucks paid off and then b. i buy and then pay off a new car for my soon to be wife. i dont expect to pull a house of it foundation but id like to keep up w/ trafic while climbing the mountains while pulling a boat or quads/bikes/sand rails and not worry about blowing anything apart... i figured the trans would be the weak point so i just wanted to have a high enough rating where i would never encounter a problem beacause im way under the limit.

my half ton tows 10,300. Most half tons tow around 9k. half ton trucks weigh around 5500 pounds give or take.

Well since your truck is a 91, how rust is it? I don't know if the frame on that is as strong as the new ones is. Is it regular or extended cab? Because a longer wheel base makes for a better tow rig. I would say still don't go over 6k...

Just my opinion and experience, take it for what its worth. My old '86 pulled a 7800 pound boat all summer long for about 12 years. Three issues arose, I blew the 2.9 when the water pump went out; I didn't realize it, thought some highway speeds would cool it down, chalk that up to teenage intuition (specifically the lack thereof). We had to build a real bumper after about the first three trips, the OEM sagged like a grandma, chalk that up to ridiculously light bumpers (front and rear). And lastly the rear springs squatted lower and lower.

However, that truck is still going (I sold it in '02). The main, and in my opinion the only really significant, problem with pulling things with our Rangers (short of increased wear) is braking, or lack there of. These trucks are very small and light, and while you could pull a house with a decent hitch and low range, trying to get that rolling mass stopped just isn't going to be easy. As the driver, its your job to understand that, and to determine if you can safely move what you need to move. The old '86 often pulled ridiculous loads because it was the only pickup we had, but I live in a rural area, took it easy, used trailer brakes whenever possible, and mainly used my head. If I had to pull an 18000# tractor to town (which I did), I would certainly not expect to get on a freeway and be able run 70mph, and dodge that tourist from Chicago who's running the Indy 500 through traffic.

P.S. I'm not advocating pulling anything over Ford's rated loads. However, I will admit that I have done so, the consequences were acceptable to me.

on a consistent basis? doubtful. 1/2 ton pull a 1/4 ton sure. That is what you had planned with yours.

Heck If I was to pull around my ranger all the time I would want a 3/4 ton, by the time you add in wind resistance, braking, hills, wear and tear etc... it would be worth having a 3/4 ton.

Yeah I agree....

For the record the tow ratings on other Half ton trucks are:

Ford: 11,000
Chevy: 10,500
Dodge: 9100

Almost no rust. Had a frame off restoration 4 years ago. Supercab.
Thanks for the reply. Just curious. Just talkin about how to increase, seemed like this might be a decent example of really tryin to increase the towing capacity.

its maximum is rated at 10300. so I could easily pull 8500-9000 on a regular basis.

If U Want To Tow Somethin Get A Older F150 With The Straight Six 300. Those Things Will Tow Just About Anything U Throw At It.

ok so the max is the max is there anything i need to do to the trany for longevity other than another cooler

Yes they will... Too bad that wont fit in my Ranger...ha.