Brand new to it forum, have a lot of questions.
I bought my 08 4 cyl. with a 5 speed automatic about a year and a half ago, love this truck.
This is my 3rd Ranger,(had '91 4 cyl, and a '98 3.0 v-6) wanted a inexpensive to buy and run truck after I had been driving my wifes minivan for the previous 5 years. I have only been getting 20 mpg during the winter gas season and about 23 in summer blend with a combo of city and highway driving (Northeast Illinois) back and forth to work.
On cold days with dry roads, this thing seems like it has 50 more hp (I know it's not that) but it does make a bigger diff. than any other car I've owned.
Questions:
I love this tranny, does anyone make a shift kit for it?
Cold air intake: I know Spectre makes a cleanable gauze filter, does anyone make a cold air system (I've looked at K&N, AIR, etc. haven't found any complete system)
Found a programmer from a company called Jet on Jegs Has anyone used one of these or any other brand on a 4cyl? Results?
I know of a Focus tuner that reprograms ign. modules, but don't want something that requires such a permanent mod, the Jet just plugs in and can be removed.
Any big OD exhaust systems out there?
I guess this truck has a 8.8" rear end in it, has anyone run a posi on a 4 cyl?
Will it take any 8.8 parts or are there Ranger only parts?
I have a 4:10 now, is there any lower gears out there?
Does anyone know of a lowering and handling kit/suspension parts- not looking for a slammed truck, just better handling and control
Eventually I plan a STS type remote turbo kit for this truck, anyone done this yet?
Does the Ranger engine have a balance shaft? (mine seems to vibrate at idle more than it should )
I know from Focus tuners that they like to use Ranger crankshafts for engine builds-whats the difference?
Would a Focus head (Higher hp rating, variable valve timing on intake) or a Excape Hybrid (Even more hp rated, Variable timing both cams) fit on a Ranger?
Any low buck/no-buck mods?
Right know I'd love about 15-25 more horses, any ideas?

 

There is ZERO point of doing a bigger diameter exhaist on a 4 cyl. If you do, you will be loosing alot fo backpressure, which in turn will give you less get up and go.

It should be a 7.5 I believe. There is not a whole lot out there for the 7.5. If you want more avalible gear options, you can swap in an 8.8 out of a Extended cab ranger, or one with a 4.0.

The ranger does not use a 31 spline 8.8 that is the desirable one. If they do have an 8.8, it will be 28 spline, unless it is an FX4 LII, then it will be a 31 spline. The only 31 spline parts that will swap into a 28 spline unit will be gears I believe.

There are lower gears. I think they might go to 5.13 or something around there. Keep in mind, the numericly higher your gear ratio is, the higher the RPM on the highway, which in turn usually means decreased fuel milage.

Does your truck have a rear sway bar? If it doesnt, you can get one frm a Ranger, or a bigger one from a Bronco 2, and bolt that in.
From what I have heard (I am into lifting my truck not lowering it) a 3/5 inch drop does wonders in terms of handling for our rangers.

Look on Rangerpowersports.com, they have alot in terms of turbo info.

Thats all I can type now, but use the search button, there is alot of info on here.

 

There is ZERO point of doing a bigger diameter exhaist on a 4 cyl. If you do, you will be loosing alot fo backpressure, which in turn will give you less get up and go.}


I would have to dissagree, my 2.50" flowmaster 40 runs great and there is no loss of power. and i have a 2003 4cyl 5spd manual and K&N does make a short ram intake for the 2.3l if its the same motor

 

If you want more power, sell the truck and buy a 4.0... or 5.0.

 

OK. thanks for the info. My 4 cyl is an extended cab but I guess it would still have a 7.5
Has anyone swapped the 7.5 for a 8.8 out of a V-6 posi equipped truck and put it in a 4 cyl truck?
What kind of drive shaft/suspension problems?
What about an Explorer 8.8 with disc brakes?

 

welcome to the site!

08' the maf is formed into the airbox, only thing to do is drop in filters for performance

generally accepted as worthless

Sct tuners store and hold your factory settings for dealer services and emissons tests

www.bamachips.com

cat back's are offered but be careful with muffler choice. duratec's turn to rice quickly

I picked up a roush sway bar kit from hillbankmotorsports.com for 80$ significant difference in my single cab short bed, and very easy to install.

rangers are not equipped to handle vvt so its a project

sct tuner from bama chips.

2.5" exhaust and a better flowing muffler then our stock would give a gain. The important thing to remember with exhaust is scavenging effect, to large and the gases lose velocity, to small and the system is limited in capacity, back pressure though nessescary is over rated in how essential it is to proper exhaust function.

 

i am not sure about getting more power from it, from what i hear that little motor really goes good compared to the old 2.3. But for the rear end, unless you really plan on thrashing on it the 7.5 is fine. I've beat the hell out of a couple and never had any problems. Lockers are availible, or search the net and local junkyards for a factory 7.5 or 8.8 out of a ranger with a limited slip diff. Anything from a ranger is a direct bolt in swap. as for gears, if you're running stock tire size you won't want to go much more than the 4.10 factory ratio that's installed. I'm not sure if that is what you have, just going by what you;ve posted. but anything taller than 4.10 is going to be terrible on the highway with stock tires. Maybe it's just time for a tune up. most people get much better MPG numbers from the duratecs than you are getting.

 

x2 i have a dynomax catback on my truck and i gained 2mpg (wish it was louder though)

 

By shift kit do you mean a new shifter that isn't like a noodle? If that's what you're talking about then Hurst makes a shifter that reduces the throw and tightens everything up. If that isn't what you're talking about then I don't know what the hell you're talking about and hurst doesn't make anything for that.

 

4g63t swap!

(sorry had to)

 

you must have another miracle exhaust - Bring your truck to detroit ford will give you 50 times more than your truck is worth for that kind of gain on a program as big as the ranger.

 

well i didnt believe it myself when i heard other people gaining that much on their 2.5's but its legit, only hwy mpg though

 

said it once ill say it again..... you think that your 4-banger has no power then try driving mine for a day (2.3 lima motor) then you will be completely satisfied with the 2.3 duratech that you have. more power and better MPG than the old lima motors.

 

yup

 

ehem... Pedal faster..

 

Last time I looked at Summit, it showed the JET module for manual transmission only:

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...676+4294914956

This might work, and it allows for 3 different tunes:

http://www.stuffforyourranger.com/st...c7ba9189fd28ea

Keep us updated.

 

Bryan: I like the power of the truck for what it is, just looking to add a bit.
Seth: it's an automatic 5 speed, it's really fun to listen to it go through the gears, but first gear is really tall and slow, once it shifts into 2nd, they shift at 5800 and it only drops to 4800 and fairly quickly right back to 5800 and another shift- what I was looking for is a shift kit (different detent springs,move check ***** around- like an old B&M kit) This tranny must be installed on other Ford rwd trucks- does anyone know if this is te same trans on the V-6's?I mostly want to know if in the future I turbo it for 200-225hp it would handle it
Since the snow is gone, I took out the 150lb of sand in the back and now am getting 1 1/2 mpg more and hopefully when the gas stations start with summer blend I'll see half that more.
ES89: thanks, I'm going to look into the bar and the 'bama unit
Last questions for now- what about underdrive pulleys and lowering kit for the front- looking to drop 1 1/2" to 2"?