These are in the order I did them to a Stock 2004 4.0L Ranger 4.0L V6. These reviews are nothing more then my opinion and what I felt, others may differ in opinions.

-----

Stock -
Performance: Very good pick up for a truck, the stock 225/70/15s dont loose much traction from a dead stop due to the limited slip and 3.55 gearing.

-----

First Mod: K&N 63 Series Intake.

Install: The intstall was very easy with a simple tool set. The instructions are clean and easy to follow. Took probably 30-45 minutes to install with a buddy and with no previous after market intake installation experience.

Performance Increase: The truck didnt seem to lag between shifts. It use to feel like it lost a little bit of power before and after a shift. With the intake it seemed like it was gone with a little more gain in the high end.

Sound: A noticeable sound increase from the engine was present upon first start up. You didnt even have to look for it you could just hear it. Almost like a whistle when you give it some gas or do snap throttle.

Price: Around $200-$300

Overall: Worth it!

-----

Second Mod: JBA Headers

Install: The install on these for me was fairly simple as I had a hoist to lift my truck and was able to pull off the front tires to aid in getting at the manifold bolts. Without a hoist I would think this mod to be alot more time consuming but nothing that cant be done. If you cannot lift the truck at all, it may be best to pay a shop to install them. I dunno how hard they are to install on 4 cylinder engines, or 3.0's for that matter, but on a 4.0 I would find it near impossible to get the passanger side header on or off without taking a tire off or lift of some sort. Also on mine I had to bend the EGR tube to make sure it fit and screw on.

Performance Increase: I felt basically the same with the K&N install. Truck just felt stronger overall and the gain was noticeable right away.

Sound: When I turned on the truck right away I noticed a slight deepening of the exhaust sound. After reving the engine I noticed a rumbling sound as the engine came down in RPMs. Not much of a noise difference other then being slightly deeper while driving.

Price: $400

Overall: I would do it again, people say shorty headers are not worth it. However I felt a difference.

-----

Third Mod: Zip Tie Mod

Install: Pull gass pedal forward and put zip ties on the slack in the throttle cable, easy!

Performance Incease: While it was actually doing anything to the truck to add power, it sure made it feel like it! Its really just making it give more throttle without you having to push on the gas pedal as hard. I really liked this mod. And it was free!

Sound: None

Price: Zip ties aka Nothing for me.

-----

Fourth Mod: Borla Turbo Muffler (straight through)| Magnaflow 3" Tip | Cat Back 2.5" Piping

Install: Well I bought the muffler and tip online. I then took it to a guy down the street from my shop and he took the pipe from the last cat off and put 2.5" tubing down the stock routing. He then put the muffler on and the tip at a 45 degree angle. I could have done it myself if we had a pipe bender and I didnt want to upgrade pipe size.

Performance increase: Well it again was like when I installed the other two mods. Truck just felt stronger from start to finish. I should point out while none of the mods so far are mind blowing, they are noticeable.

Sound: Man does the muffler sound good! It really does! I never had experience with borla before, but it sounds great and its not super loud unless I want it to be. All my friends tell me it sounds real good too.

Price: $160 Muffler, $30-$40 Tip, $80 to install with pipe.

Overall: Made the truck sound good and I really like the tip. I'd do it again for sure. I do "notice me mods" later in line incase a honda or two wants to see if there is power with the sound.

-----

Fifth Mod: Bama Xcal 2

Install: Its flipping easy! Plug scanner into OBD2 port, turn key and let it go.

Performance Increase: Moved Redline to 6,000RPM, firm shifts, got another 60 miles on a tank and I fill up at a quarter left. Probably would have had even more of a gas increase. For these alone I would buy a programmer. Power wise I didnt notice an increase until I drove it on the freeway, with the torque tune it was much easier to move around. It just wasnt noticeable to me on surface streets really.

Sound: None

Price: $400.

Overall: For the firm shifts and 20mpg over 14-15, its a sure thing!:
-----

Sixth and current truck: 4.10 Rear end gears.

Install: You need to have access to a press, if you do not I HIGHLY do not recommend putting the bearings in with a hammer. Also you really need to know what your doing, if you mess up on spacing or really anything you will mess up your rear end. Highly advised you take it to a shop that is credited and knows their stuff!

Performance Increase: Very noticeable down low power. Had to reset the speedo with the bama because it said I was doing 65 when I was doing 45...

Sound: Slight noise from the gears but that is normal with any 4.xx gears...

Price: $80 Gears off fellow R-F member, $80 for gear install kit off Summit racing.

Overall: When done right gears kick ***. Be sure they are done right and its all good.

-----

Modded Truck: From a dead stop I can light up my 275/60/15 tires. The truck sounds mean and can kick you back in your seat. All the mods I have done have had a good benefit and I highly recommend them all to anyone wanting some power. I estimate my truck has gained around 55+HP/TQ to the crank and about 35+HP/TQ to the wheel from these mods. While it still is no rocket, its a good start.

Mods to come are Possibly E-fan and Under drive Pulley. Supercharger is in consideration too.

 

nice......good review!

 

Very good! Makes me consider some of those mods, like an intake and a proper exhaust (not just a ugly muffler-back hacked off and a straight tip...lol) and a tuner.

I have to replace the front bumper/valance, fog lights, and rear pass. flare first, though.

 

I think I'll do some of these soon enough, I ant mine to sound like a mean suped up exotic or euro, heck the BMW M3GTR runs of a 3.2L... I'm going for a touring style with this truck, mainly susp. mods and HP

 

I need a programmer and 4.56 gears..

 

zip tie mod work with an '01?

 

^^ Griggs has a "How-To" on his CarDomain, I believe

 

Zip tie mods works on any throttle cable on any car or truck. Some cars/trucks have drive by wire which is electronic and it does not work.

 

I'm not gonna lie...this was a good review...it opened my eyes to some things to do that i wouldn't have thought of...GOOD REVIEW!

 

Thanks for the review!

I'm a bit supprised that you did'nt "feel" more power from the tuner.

btw two things..
1) The ECU pulls timing on the shifts to concerve the tranny. Stock tune does anyway.
2) The Crank underdrive pully is a must do IMO. I'm very very glad I did it. Got very noticable power increase and a little milage out of it.

Rich