4 Wheel Drive/SUVs/Ford Ranger 4X4

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Expert: - 11/1/2004


Question
I have an '03 Ford Ranger 4x4 with a 4.0 V6.  Although I rarely use my 4-wheel drive, I travel constantly in this vehicle.  I am putting a massive amount of miles on my truck.  I am wondering if there is a way I can increase performance while improving gas mileage at the same time?  I am lucky to get 300 miles on a full tank of gas while traveling the interstates.  What else should I do to add to longevity of this vehicle, due to the high amount of miles I drive each year?

Answer
Richard,

As far as longevity, routine maintenance is the best thing that you can do.  Use a good grade of oil, possibly a synthetic, or semi-synthetic.  Change the oil every 3,000-5,000 miles, or every 3 months.  Make sure that the Ranger is lubed on a regular basis, and have the bearings checked periodically.  Check your air filter regularly.  Change the oil filter with each oil change.  Change the fuel filter every year.

For maximum power, you can install a free flow air filter system, such as the K&N type, replace the stock muffler, and exhaust system with a cat-back type system, add a throttle body spacer to the intake manifold, replace the exhaust manifold with a header, and upgrade to a high discharge ignition system, such as a Jacob's, or MSI.  And last, but not least, make sure that you run the correct pressure in your tires, and have the wheel alignment checked.  

Carl

4 Wheel Drive/SUVs

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Carl Brandt

Expertise

Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor. I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.

Experience

40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 1 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 7" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a cold air high flow filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 105:1 in low gear/low range. Other vehicles I own, are a 96 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 36" Hummer tires, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, an 87 Samurai with an 8" lift, Ford 9" rear end with a spool, Chevy Dana 44 front end with an electric locker, 5.88 gears, 16% reduction in high range and a 6.5:1 low range with 35" Baja Claws, and a stock 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland. Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.

Organizations
Lost Coast 4x4's Cal 4-Wheel Corva UFWDA Blue Ribbon Coalition

Education/Credentials
Certified off-road instructor - Certificates in engineering/electronics

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