So I purchased a 2000 Ranger Xlt standard cab, 2.5L 4 cyl., 5 speed manual w/ 125k miles last summer for only 3 grand... The looks are getting old just like any stock truck and I'm just barely getting into mods for my truck.

I was thinking about doing exterior work first but then realized maybe I should work under the hood before anything, Just so I dont put alot of work into the body and the engine blow out!



Here are some photos of it...
(Hoping to raise it, put new tires/rims, possible other mods to make it look more of a beast. not wanting it to look like a ricer)

Under the hood;



Side View;



Front Bumper/Hood;



Passenger Side View;



Driver Panel;

 

There isn't much you can do to a 2.5L. There are millions of things you can do to a ranger though and it all depends on your budget.

 

easy(ish) engine mods for ANY motor:

Play with air intake, whether or not it actually does a whole lot it sure sounds good and looks clean.
Upgrade coil Pack
Upgrade spark plugs
Upgrade wires
Run a can of seafoam through her...or 2!
Tighten up that throttle cable
Clean your intake throttle body
clean Idle Air Control valve
Clean Mass Air Flow Sensor
- should free up a few horses too

Its always nice to:
Bleed the brakes real good the proper way (costs a few $$)
fully flush the radiator
Fully synthetic oil change every now and then
Drain and install new filter and clean magnet in transmission

As for looks:
LEDs inside and possibly out
light upgrades (clear headlight housings)
paint body parts (grille, bumper whatever)
paint inside parts (door handles on inside, radio bezel)
install better speaker/Head unit

I mean theres a list of what comes to mind real fast, easy to do stuff, some expensive, most not.

 

Clean truck, Dude.

Unless you plan on rebuilding the engine or replacing it, I wouldn't worry too much about under the hood yet. Rangers go forever if you keep the oil changed and don't abuse them.

The first thing I would do is ditch that steering wheel cover for a new one, ( 8 bucks ), pull the carpet thingy off the dash, and Armor-all the snot out of everything. It'll feel like a different truck.

If you aren't into lowering, you could get a set of 15x10 Outlaw II's from Ebay (+ - 370$) and 235/60/15 tires, and it would look awesome at stock ride height. Get a bed cover, window tint, roll pan and paint the front bumper...

Or slam it and put 20's on it if my first suggestion is too old school.

It's all about what you like.

 

I wouldnt recommend that wide of a rim for a 235. 8" at the most

 

First thing I would do is get a instrument cluster with a tach on it. Then tint the windows and maybe get different rims.

What are you wanting to do with the truck? Stock, lowered, lifted?

 

List that pops in my mind:
FULL detail wash
headunit tint the windows
06+ badges and black ford ovals
2/3 drop
new wheels/tires

 

They'll work. Trust me.

But if you don't, then go up on the tire size. Don't waste your money on 8" rims. Your truck will look just like every other ranger that a car dealer stuck a set of cheap rims on.

 

I'd go with a tint job, replace the head unit, go with a spectre air unit under the hood, upgrade to explorer sport wheels(don't have the exact size tire on hand), leave it stock height, upgrade taillights/headlights, roll pan bumper, mudflaps. Just some ideas! I believe I have pics of mine on here.

 

Oh and go with an Explorer Sport Trac gauge cluster. Its white and looks real nice in there!

 

Put in an explorer overhead console. I did it and I love it
Also for exterior mods you could do 06+ mirrors and tail lights. My avatar doesn't show my truck as it sits now but I love mine. It really makes your car look like less of a base model and changes up the appearance. All those require little modding on your part and they are easy to do.

 

you can get the braided hose kit for all your hoses and lines. get billet clamps for your bigger hosed remove all the black zippyties and change the color. lets say u wanted a orange and white color sceme (i think it looks good) paint your cover orange any little removable brackets and the manifolds. get you some billet oil, radiator, and brake fluid resivior caps paint your pullys and fanblade to your taste. billet or custom battery hold down bracket and terminals. go to walmart and get some colorful electrical conduit cheap to put over your wires and you can use colorful tape to hold it on what ever color you want man there plenty you can do to that motor to make it pop when you pop the hood, but an aftermarket intake is one of the best ideas you will hear because it takes up the most space its the first thing you see and it helps the motor to be more efficient produce power and is considered an upgrade plus pretty cheap for a ranger. i know alot of this is considered ricer but take what you want from my ideas

 

Instead of doing the tach in dash do a tach on the dash, left hand side location and save any wiring changes.
Also, new audio system.
Bucket seats with center console.
LEDs in and out.
Hurst Shifter Kit.
Fogs, OEM with valance
Wheels and tires
How much do you want to spend... .

 

This member hasn't logged on in 8 months. I bet he isn't getting your suggestions.

 

haha Everyones like a kid in a candy store when they see a stocker. I love it!