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I have 3 Rangers, two 94's, and a 96. All 2.3L manual. The goal is to take three Rangers and make two sellable trucks. The blue 94 is so rusted, the right front shock mount no longer exists. It is a low mileage truck (126k), but New York killed it. The Red 96 I bought because the guy said it all of a sudden started running rough. Found piston #3 melted, so I guess it had been running badly for a long while. I found a 2.5 that I will get put in hopefully soon. The Green 94 I bought missing under load, and a whiny transmission. That's where we were a couple of weeks ago.
Green Ranger: Replaced the fuel filler (split hose), fuel sender (read empty), ICM, various dash lights, and cleaned the interior. Got trans pulled last night, and pre ordered the shift rail replacement plugs. Have to wait for the plugs to come in before I can replace the trans.I put in a shifter repair kit, and it really tightened it up nicely.
Blue Ranger: Has sacrificed its fuel sender, ICM, and transmission. Speaking of transmissions, the Green one had this extra wiring harness on it, but was not hooked up. Any ideas?
First off, the 1996 2.3l can't be used with 1994 computer, and visa versa, 1994 2.3l can't be used with 1996 computer, the 2.5l can be used with 1996 computer, but not 1994
1994 2.3l was last year for hall effect crank sensor with ICM module, AND EEC-IV 60-wire computer
1996 2.3l has VR crank sensor and EEC-V 104 wire computer with ICM in the computer
The transmission connection, passenger side, was a Neutral switch which was never used on Rangers, Explorers used them for a couple of years
First off, the 1996 2.3l can't be used with 1994 computer, and visa versa, 1994 2.3l can't be used with 1996 computer, the 2.5l can be used with 1996 computer, but not 1994
I know they are different 94-96. That is why I said I have a 2.5L to go into the 96. I've learned more about Rangers in the last month than I ever wanted to know.
My question was for the transmission. Seemed strange that both are 94 transmissions, one has the wiring for the NSS and the other one's boss isn't even machined for one.
Explorers also never had the 2.3l engine and that M5R1 only fits a 2.3l engine, lol
So it is an oddball, maybe at the M5R1 assembly plant they ran out of top plates without the neutral switch but still had the ones with it, doesn't hurt so they just started using those
Less likely is that Previous Owner swapped out top plate for some reason and got one from an Explorer at wrecking yard
Finding them on 1994-1996 Rangers with 4.0l is not uncommon, since they used same engine in Explorers
Was thinking they had a pile of transmissions sitting there, and they just grabbed one. Got the shift rail plugs installed, will install the shifter bushings kit once the trans is back in.
Well, this sucks so badly I can't describe it. Got the trans back in, all hooked up. Clutch is hard as a rock. Do some looking around, and something is wrong with the slave cylinder. The gold end part from the master will not go into the slave cylinder far enough. Not only that, though they are probably related is that whatever part on the slave cylinder is supposed to stick out and push towards the master cylinder to allow fluid flow is not sticking out. It's flat inside there. I hope this makes sense.. It looks like I will be removing the trans once again, to replace the slave cylinder.
Green Ranger update: Got the slave cylinder replaced. After much difficulty bleeding it, I finally have a drivable truck again. However, I took apart the master cylinder inside the truck to bleed it, and now it leaks. I have a replacement pre bled one to replace it with. Getting the windshield replaced Tuesday. Left rear brake would seem to come on before the rest, and the ABS light was on. Replaced the master cylinder which cleared the ABS light. The left rear adjusting cable had somehow come undone and was wedged in with the shoe. I'm replacing shoes, drums, hardware, and wheel cylinders. That should fix that issue. This little green truck is growing on me. I drove it to work, and I can't say I hate it. I also ordered shocks, wow these are shot.
Red Ranger update: New motor is sitting there. I need to take the intake off, since I'm using the 2.3L one. Hopefully next week I can get the old engine out, and the new one in.
Green Ranger update: Rear brakes have been replaced, including cylinders, hardware, drums, shoes. New shocks are on. Windshield has been replaced. Almost done.
Green Ranger has been sold. Red Ranger serious work starts this weekend. Trans gets dropped first, and then the 2.3 comes out to be replaced with the 2.5.
Red Ranger update: Broke a stud on the trans mount, new mount ordered. Broke a motor mount, new mounts ordered. (suspect it might have been bad). Rear upper shock mount ordered, since the other one was rusted off of the frame. Front sway bar end links ordered. 2.3L is out, getting the 2.5 ready to go in. Unfortunately will have to wait until I get back from California and New York trips.
Red Ranger update: Motor mounts are in. These do not have the locating pins on the bottom of the mount, so I put the passenger side in hopefully where it lines up. Intake is off, tomorrow the clutch gets looked at, and then the motor goes in. Getting a little bit excited at this point.
Red Ranger update: Motor runs. Still have them two connectors to figure out. And I need to try to bleed the clutch (air in master, of course). Fuel filler is on the way, so I can put the bed back on after I get the shock mount replaced. Hopefully I'll have a running driving Red Ranger soon.
Shock mount is being harder than I thought. I might have to drill out the rivets. Thought I could just grind off the inside, but no. I ordered new shocks, since these are beyond toast.
Shock mount fixed. New shocks are on order, as is the fuel filler and new tail light lenses. Got the connectors figured out, and no check engine lights. Hopefully putting the bed back on this weekend. Getting excited.
Red Ranger Update: Front shock mount broke, so that got replaced. all shocks replaced. Fuel filler tube replaced, bed installed. New tail light lenses. Center dash plastic replaced with a 2000 piece, with two power outlets, and a newer radio installed. Clutch bled, new thermostat installed (still no temp gauge though, or much heat), 16" Explorer rims fitted. Odometer fixed. Truck runs and drives, and is for sale.This was a fun series.
