Turbo Dodge guy buying a Ranger soon
 

Hi, my name is Dick Westerhof, just joined this forum. I have been and still am into turbo Mopars for many years now, but I wanna get a pick up to tow my car to the track on a dolly. I want 4wd, but I don't want a full size, and I never cared for the Dakotas. I also am not a G.M. guy, but I always liked the Rangers. There's a few low mile late 90/early '00 4.0 5 sp models for sale here,that I wanna check out. I joined this forum to find the weak links on the truck, if any, and to fix every thing myself.

I know this is a Ranger forum, but I'll go on a limb here, and post up my car. I'll just consider it part of introducing myself.:nervous:

This was my last street legal race night, the next one is this coming friday, shooting for 11's. It has a 2.2 Holset HX35 turbo, .551 na race cam, ported everything, 4 puck clutch, alky injection, and an lsd diff.
YouTube - Shelby Charger vs Civic Mission Raceway Park

Here's what the car sounds like, sounds more like a v8 than a turbo 4. The exhaust is a 3" d.p., 3.5" flexpipe, and the rest is 4", all mandrel welded.
YouTube - Shelby Charger with 4" exhaust completed.

I'll just leave a link to my cardomain site, and leave it at that.
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/666330

Auto trannys can tow a little better than manual. Like all truck they have higher rated towing specs. If you can get an 01 Ranger because they have the 4.0 SOHC as compared to the 4.0 OHV in earlier rangers.

I wish i had a fast car as well as my truck :-\

What's the power difference between the 2 engines? I was hoping for a 5 speed, clutches are easy to re&re, never dove into an auto yet...

Welcome to rf. Nice car!

Welcome.

Well both are okay, just autos are stronger. Manuals are easier to rebuild of course. And the SOHC makes more/better power, is more fuel efficient also I believe.

Thanks. The car only weighs 2460 lbs, so it shouldn't be too hard to tow on a dolly. I assume the Mazda's are basically the same as a Ranger? Same powertrain?

welcome!

sweet car man! my neighbor has one rotting away on the side of his house i've been tempted to offer him like $500 just to have somehting to tinker with! lol

and yes mazda/rangers are one in the same

If you do decide to pick up the car, this is the forum of choice.
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welcome to R-F, Dick!

the ranger SOHC and 5 speed will easily haul that little car around. i have three figure 8 derby cars and i haul one, sometimes two depending on which trailer i get, and i have not had problem. and thats with 33s and 4.10 gears

Sohc makes more HP yes, but the 4.0 OHV makes better low end power which is what you need for towing. Either will do the job. just the OHV might have a little bit easier time towing.

having owned and towed alot with both motors, i prefer the SOHC for towing, and everything else for that matter.

4.0 OHV
HP/ RPM 158@4250
TQ/ RPM 223@3000

4.0 SOHC
HP/ RPM 207@5250
TQ/ RPM 238@3000

was the charger offered in a GLH trim level?

as for towing numbers, auto trans is rated at 5000 lbs, manual is 3700 so ford doesn't have to replace your clutch.

this is for the SOHC.

The slight bit of low end isnt worth it. When it comes to power SOHC will beat it anywhere, EVEN if you have to use a lil more RPM. The SOHC is just the OHV engine adapted to SOHC anyways. Plus the benefits of SOHC is that it's in a newer truck so it's a nice improvement. I dunno, I'd buy the overall better engine. If he wanted to "tow on my property only" then maybe the OHV would be a good idea.

Thanks for all the info!

The Charger came as a GLHS, only in the U.S., only in 1987. 2011 total Shelby Chargers for 1987, (last year produced), 1000 of which became the GLHS.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shelby_GLHS

http://www.dempseybowling.com/sheldodg/sheldod4.htm