New From Illinois
#1
04-01-2018
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Illinois
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New From Illinois
Hey Everyone! This is my first Ranger but not my first car. It is a 1997 XLT with the 2.3L/5 Speed. It currently has 132k miles and is bone stock. Looking forward to upgrading it and sharing with you guys!
Currently I have planned for this week : Oil change, Trans Fluid Change, attempt to replace 02 sensor, and new KYB Gas-A-Just shocks. Also gonna test fit some 17x9s to see if they rub with a 275.
Currently I have planned for this week : Oil change, Trans Fluid Change, attempt to replace 02 sensor, and new KYB Gas-A-Just shocks. Also gonna test fit some 17x9s to see if they rub with a 275.
Last edited by xSolidSnakex; 04-01-2018 at 11:50 PM.
#2
04-02-2018
Welcome to the forum
1997 was last year of Generation 2 Rangers, 1993 to 1997
Gen 1 was 1983 to 1992
Gen 3 1998 to 2012(last Ranger)
Gen 2 and gen 3 parts are pretty much interchangeable, not much difference
Gen 1 was a smaller Ranger
Your 2.3l SOHC engine was first used in Pintos in 1974, and often called the "pinto" engine.
It was made in Ford's Lima, Ohio engine plant so it is more commonly known as also the "Lima" engine.
It also came in an under bored 2.0l, and stroked 2.5l version
Rangers got the 2.5l version from 1998 to 2001.5
In mid-year 2001 the 2.5l Lima engine was replaced by the 2.3l DOHC Duratec engine, no relation to the 2.3l Lima.
So searches for info on 2.3l Rangers can get a bit confusing since they used two different 2.3l engines, so heads up.
Mazda B-2300 trucks follow that same pattern, 2300 denotes 2.3l engine, same engines as used in Rangers of the same years
B-3000 would have 3.0l engine, B-4000 a 4.0l engine
So these are also a source for parts if needed
You will have an M5OD-R1(M5R1) manual trans, they were fairly bullet proof, they do use ATF, not gear oil, yes automatic transmission fluid in a manual trans, Mercon V is spec
There are fill and drain plugs on drivers side, good practice to check level by removing fill plug once a year, should be full to this plug.
The M5R1 transmissions are engine specific, bell housing is not removable.
i.e. an M5R1 from a 3.0l engine will not fit 2.3l and visa versa
1997 was last year of 35psi fuel pressure and a fuel pressure regulator, 1998 and up used a Returnless system and 60psi fuel pressure .
You have a very nice looking Ranger
If it was RED it would be perfect, lol, I like all Rangers but love RED ones
1997 was last year of Generation 2 Rangers, 1993 to 1997
Gen 1 was 1983 to 1992
Gen 3 1998 to 2012(last Ranger)
Gen 2 and gen 3 parts are pretty much interchangeable, not much difference
Gen 1 was a smaller Ranger
Your 2.3l SOHC engine was first used in Pintos in 1974, and often called the "pinto" engine.
It was made in Ford's Lima, Ohio engine plant so it is more commonly known as also the "Lima" engine.
It also came in an under bored 2.0l, and stroked 2.5l version
Rangers got the 2.5l version from 1998 to 2001.5
In mid-year 2001 the 2.5l Lima engine was replaced by the 2.3l DOHC Duratec engine, no relation to the 2.3l Lima.
So searches for info on 2.3l Rangers can get a bit confusing since they used two different 2.3l engines, so heads up.
Mazda B-2300 trucks follow that same pattern, 2300 denotes 2.3l engine, same engines as used in Rangers of the same years
B-3000 would have 3.0l engine, B-4000 a 4.0l engine
So these are also a source for parts if needed
You will have an M5OD-R1(M5R1) manual trans, they were fairly bullet proof, they do use ATF, not gear oil, yes automatic transmission fluid in a manual trans, Mercon V is spec
There are fill and drain plugs on drivers side, good practice to check level by removing fill plug once a year, should be full to this plug.
The M5R1 transmissions are engine specific, bell housing is not removable.
i.e. an M5R1 from a 3.0l engine will not fit 2.3l and visa versa
1997 was last year of 35psi fuel pressure and a fuel pressure regulator, 1998 and up used a Returnless system and 60psi fuel pressure .
You have a very nice looking Ranger
If it was RED it would be perfect, lol, I like all Rangers but love RED ones
Last edited by RonD; 04-02-2018 at 12:08 PM.
#4
04-07-2018
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Illinois
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