Greetings RF dwellers.

This is the log of the effort/money/time I put into my little daily driver.


I decided to make an actual project log as it just seemed more appropriate.

As many of you know I have slowly and steadily been rehabilitating and making my 2000 Ranger XLT 2.5L (5 Speed) more reliable.

I am the third owner with one of those owners being MasterAtArms93, a former member of this site. The truck currently sits at 180,000, but that isn't actual due to the 31's on it.

My goal was to get it to go at least another 100,000 on the original 2.5L before considering dropping a 86-88 thunderbird turbo coupe 2.3t in it.

The following services have been completed since February:
- Heater Core Replaced with Spectra Unit
- Spark plugs and wires replaced with Duralast Gold Wires + Motocraft Plugs
- Timing Belt + Tensioner replaced
- Radiator Replaced with Spectra Unit from Summit Racing
- Upper and Lower Radiator hoses replaced
- EVAP assembly replaced with used/better condition evap assembly
- OEM exhaust manifold wrapped due to heat shield rusting off
- New Windshield in February
- New Tie-Rods in October of 2014
- New Cylinder #3 Fuel Injector
- New EGR Gasket
- New Intake Manifold Upper/Lower Fel-Pro Gaskets
- New Duralast Battery
- Cleaned up wiring and fuse issues
Updated April 2015
- Full exhaust replaced: Walker Direct-Fit Cat + Dynomax Ultra Flo System
- Bosch Rear Oxygen Sensor Replaced

My exhaust was such a piece of **** that the second owner put on, it lasted only TWO Ohio Winters.

It broke clean off today so I decided to replace it with this.

A Dynomax Ultra Flo Exhaust System


Universal 2.5 inlet/outlet Catco Cat & New Bosch Oxygen Sensor




Immediate Near Future Plans:
Today I came across a nail in my rear tire...I'm gonna patch it and try to get through this next payday, but I'm pulling the trigger on some 33's within the next 3 weeks after.

^ The nail itself is huge, but it is holding air so we'll see how well the temporary plug holds up until the BFG's...which brings me to sharing a little deal with the R-F gang.

I'm ordering my tires from Onlinetires.com just because of how good the deal is...$687 bucks for 33x12.5x15 BFG A/T's SHIPPED! That's cheaper than any place I can find before price matching.
https://www.onlinetires.com/products...+108r+rwl.html

I also am getting my rear axle fixed soon, but I'm trying to call around some local junkyards for the hard-to-find 31 spline axle shaft since my rear end is a 2003 8.8 FX4 LV2 rear and my axle flange is bent roughly 5 degrees, give or take.

Little things that I'll get in the next month:
Passenger Side bumper bracket
New clear corners (current ones are cracked)



Stay tuned and rep the ghost.

 

Had to make a quick return to Summit.

Screw "Universal Fit" cats...

I returned the Catco cat and opted for a Walker Direct-Fit. Almost $100 extra bucks, but I feel like the O2 bung being already there and welded and no need to fabricate a downpipe makes it worth the cost.



Here is the link for that: http://www.summitracing.com/oh/parts...d/model/ranger


Here are also a few shots of the motor.


Not bad for high miles, eh? She could use a cleaning under the hood, but that isn't a main concern right now.

 

The Dynomax Ultra Flo is on along with the Walker Direct-Fit Cat.

The truck definitely got some power back and feels a lot better to drive.

Even with the balding 31's on it, the little 2.5 Lima feels like it isn't struggling as much to pull the weight of the truck anymore.

Reminds me almost of a little car the way it drives with the 5 speed at the moment.

It's been a ton of maintenance, but I guess the positive thing here is that the truck is running probably better than it has in the last year.

Anyways, here are some pictures of the exhaust.





The thing to note about the Dynomax Ultra Flo is that if you are a single cab Ranger, you will need to shorten up the intermediate pipe by a decent amount. The system is designed for the extended cab Rangers. Everything else fits without modification.


Here is a pic from the Winter that I'm not sure if I uploaded or not.




I'm planning on tires next...I've been saying that for a little bit, but I've wanted to make sure that I have enough clearance to fit 33x12.50x15's with my current suspension setup to make it worth it.

- 3 inch spindle lift up front
- Explorer leafs in rear

The only other size I have considered is 32x11.50x15's, but am leaning more towards 33's.

The rear axle is also due for a repair with my mechanic Shawn in the middle of May. We are looking for the unicorn of axles it seems, the 31 spline Ranger Specific 8.8 rear axle shaft.

More updates to come later.

 

Got some vibration on acceleration/deceleration that is not axle related.

Taking either today, tomorrow or Monday and replacing my U-Joints.

 

LOL.

I think I saved the receipt just to post, but I went into a local Mr.Tire yesterday just to get a quote on what it would be to replace both u-joints for the ranger.

$660 dollars quoting me on 3 hours of labor for each u-joint....


No thanks.

 

Replacing the U-Joints today and noticed the rubber piece of the end of the slip yoke that mounts up to the diff is missing.

That sucks. I had a mechanical friend tell me that that being missing is probably the reason why I am actually experiencing vibration that replicates the symptoms of a u-joint going out.


At least my vibration should be dealt with after this. Replacing both of the u-joints anyways.


This little truck gets a lot of love though. It gets whatever it needs, right when it needs it. Haha...Sometimes I hate that I enjoy the thing so much.

 

660 bucks for replacing u-joints? What a joke lol

 

Right?

For about $250 bucks, I was able to replace my U-Joints and ultimately had to replace the driveshaft yoke/flange, which ended up being the most expensive part out of this all.

Oh well. It's done and driving good now! No more vibrations.

Another win for the little Ranger on it's path to reliability.

 

Still looking for feedback on tires if anyone has any input.

I've loved the look of 33's on single cab's, but 32's would be more economical.

Just feeling out the pros and cons.

I've decided on BFG's AT for sure though.

 

If you run a spindle lift you should get 33's

 

It runs Doetsch Spindles (3 inches) in the front and also runs Explorer Rear Leafs.

It does not have any type of blocks in the rear however.

Would you add some stock 4x4 blocks in the back?

I'm ready to pull the trigger, just wanna make sure the 33's will fit.

 

Still researching this, but 33's seem like they'll fit (with maybe a little trimming) with the Spindles and the expo leafs.

I'm looking at the 28-30th at doing this.

I'll update the thread with some pics of the Ranger's new shoes.

Feeling excited like Christmas is coming...can't hardly wait.

 

Yeah you should be able to clear 33's pretty easily with the spindles and expo leafs

 

It looks that way, I just wanted to be sure.

Still might even add some stock Ford 4x4 Lift Blocks when I do the axle swap here soon.


Thanks for the response.

 

Do you not have a block in there now?

 

I would try to avoid using a lift block if I were you

 

Even if it is the stock Ford ones?

I was planning on also replacing the U-Bolts too.

I guess I'm trying to aim for a secondary goal of leveling out the rear of the truck to be a little more on par with the spindle lift up front.

Do you think an AAL kit would be a better choice?

 

Yes, aal is going to be your best bet. It'll help the truck to sag less with a load and give a little lift

 

Thanks for the advice.


I'll look into a pro-comp kit or something in that case.

 

I got my rough country aal from summit for like 50-60 bucks

 

Finally got all the funds needed for the 33's.

Enough reading up on all these tires, it was consistently the BFG A/T that just seems like the best all around tire for my climate and what I do with the truck.

Going with 33x12.5's on the 4.10 gears, but am going to regear to 4.56 or 4.88 in the spring. I already drive slow so I'm not worried.

Looking to now finally get down to work with my mechanic, Shawn, on replacing the passenger side axle of this FX4 Level 2 8.8 rear end.

Here is the main goals for this next round of maintenance.

- Replace bent axle with good used (or new if I have to) OEM replacement.
- Change out both axle shaft bearings + axle shaft seals.
- Change out rear fluid and add Mr.Gasket 10 bolt gasket.
- AAL Kit install

Secondary goals

- Inspect/Replace Rear Drums + Pads

IF there is enough money left over:

- Westin Safari Bar
- Hella 55 fog kit
- New clear turn signals (one lets water in.)


Stay tuned!

 

Nice man. Should look pretty sweet when you're all done

 

33s look good on single cabs

 

Thanks guys!

I officially pulled the trigger today! I live about 8-10 mins away from Summit Racing and went up there and placed an order and got a pretty damn good deal.

$749.00 for all four of them. 33x12.50x15 BFG A/Ts.

Should be in near the end of the week and I'll get some pics posted once they are installed.

 

good deal man. let me know how you like the A/Ts, I'm really split between BFG's M/Ts or their A/Ts. I think the A/Ts are cheaper and weigh a little less