• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

New Ranger owner in Virginia


MertLawless

New Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2018
Messages
8
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
New Kent, Virginia
Vehicle Year
1996
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
My credo
Comparison is the thief of joy.
Hello folks,

My name is Matt. I am in Virginia about 30 minutes out of Richmond. I recently acquired my Ranger in a barter deal. I managed to trade an old jon boat that I got for free, for this 1996 Ranger STX with 4x4, 4.0, manual trans and limited slip rear end. Has new 31x10.5 AT's. Rides well even with the bigger tires. A new clutch was recently installed. Zero rust on frame and only minor surface rust on body.

Drove home over an hour with no issues. Previous owner had good record keeping habits. All services were performed at the dealer and it has been very well maintained since new.

First step is to chase down a few electrical gremlins and get it squared away for state inspection by the end of October.

I'm not really planning on doing too many modifications. I'd like to just do preventative maintenance and improve it's reliability. Most likely, just build a winch bumper and buy a Warn, then upgrade to HD shocks all around, possibly a new set of springs and leafs.
 

Attachments



AgPete139

09/2014 OTOTM Winner
Supporting Member
OTOTM Winner
Solid Axle Swap
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 12, 2007
Messages
2,863
Reaction score
61
Points
48
Location
Houston, TX
Vehicle Year
1997
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0L OHV
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
Solid Axle Swap 4x4
Total Lift
~9"
Tire Size
35"x12.50"x17"
That looks like a really good Ranger to get you started! You're fortunate.

Also, it looks like the previous owner took the center console and the front bucket seats from a 199-1994 Ford Explorer and swapped them in. And, like most, the cruise control buttons broke and the owner just removed them entirely from he steering wheel.

Looks great.
 

MertLawless

New Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2018
Messages
8
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
New Kent, Virginia
Vehicle Year
1996
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
My credo
Comparison is the thief of joy.
That looks like a really good Ranger to get you started! You're fortunate.

Also, it looks like the previous owner took the center console and the front bucket seats from a 199-1994 Ford Explorer and swapped them in. And, like most, the cruise control buttons broke and the owner just removed them entirely from he steering wheel.

Looks great.
Yup, has had a few owners, I think I am the third. So far it's doing very well. I have to replace the ECU soon. Truck was struck by lightning. :icon_hornsup:
 

AgPete139

09/2014 OTOTM Winner
Supporting Member
OTOTM Winner
Solid Axle Swap
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 12, 2007
Messages
2,863
Reaction score
61
Points
48
Location
Houston, TX
Vehicle Year
1997
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0L OHV
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
Solid Axle Swap 4x4
Total Lift
~9"
Tire Size
35"x12.50"x17"
Yup, has had a few owners, I think I am the third. So far it's doing very well. I have to replace the ECU soon. Truck was struck by lightning. :icon_hornsup:
Are you referring to the General Electric Module? Make sure you get your engine and drivetrain configuration right. Otherwise, you'll need to get it programmed or buy a different one.

I've got one on order for my Explorer at the moment.
 

MertLawless

New Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2018
Messages
8
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
New Kent, Virginia
Vehicle Year
1996
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
My credo
Comparison is the thief of joy.
Are you referring to the General Electric Module? Make sure you get your engine and drivetrain configuration right. Otherwise, you'll need to get it programmed or buy a different one.

I've got one on order for my Explorer at the moment.
Yep, thats the tricky part. Not too many setup for manual 4.0 that I can find.
 

AgPete139

09/2014 OTOTM Winner
Supporting Member
OTOTM Winner
Solid Axle Swap
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 12, 2007
Messages
2,863
Reaction score
61
Points
48
Location
Houston, TX
Vehicle Year
1997
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0L OHV
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
Solid Axle Swap 4x4
Total Lift
~9"
Tire Size
35"x12.50"x17"
Take out the radio. What's the part number?
 

AgPete139

09/2014 OTOTM Winner
Supporting Member
OTOTM Winner
Solid Axle Swap
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 12, 2007
Messages
2,863
Reaction score
61
Points
48
Location
Houston, TX
Vehicle Year
1997
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0L OHV
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
Solid Axle Swap 4x4
Total Lift
~9"
Tire Size
35"x12.50"x17"

Ranger850

Doesn't get Sarcasm . . .
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Jan 24, 2018
Messages
8,426
Reaction score
4,664
Points
113
Location
Tallahassee Florida
Vehicle Year
2001
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
Born with a 3.0, looking for a donor V8
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
Stock 2"
Tire Size
Stock
My credo
Doing things wrong, until I get it right.

fastpakr

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
U.S. Military - Veteran
V8 Engine Swap
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
7,991
Reaction score
2,793
Points
113
Location
Roanoke, VA
Vehicle Year
1999
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
285/75-16
What electrical gremlins are you experiencing?
 

MertLawless

New Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2018
Messages
8
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
New Kent, Virginia
Vehicle Year
1996
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
My credo
Comparison is the thief of joy.
The truck took a lightning strike to the radio antenna. So aside from some damage to the plastic coating on the antenna, there is no visible damage. BUT....the 4x4 lights blink periodically, the abs light is lit and it shorts any time I try to replace the fuse. The JBL system fuse also blows each time. So I assume there are a few melted/worn wires somewhere making a connection.

I was ignorant to the GEM, I will take a look at that this afternoon. Thanks for the clarification.
 

fastpakr

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
U.S. Military - Veteran
V8 Engine Swap
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
7,991
Reaction score
2,793
Points
113
Location
Roanoke, VA
Vehicle Year
1999
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
285/75-16
None of that sounds like a faulty computer to me.
 

MertLawless

New Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2018
Messages
8
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
New Kent, Virginia
Vehicle Year
1996
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
My credo
Comparison is the thief of joy.
oops, double post reply...
 

MertLawless

New Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2018
Messages
8
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
New Kent, Virginia
Vehicle Year
1996
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
My credo
Comparison is the thief of joy.
None of that sounds like a faulty computer to me.
Yeah, it seems to be another issue. I guess its a crap shoot on diagnosing due to the random addition of high voltage, thanks to mother nature.

I will surely start at the GEM, as suggested. :icon_welder:
 

MertLawless

New Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2018
Messages
8
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
New Kent, Virginia
Vehicle Year
1996
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
My credo
Comparison is the thief of joy.
On an upbeat note, the truck runs and drives great! I really like the Ranger and understand why they have such a loyal following. They just make sense without being over complicated or flashy.
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Members online

No members online now.

Today's birthdays

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Latest posts

Truck of The Month


Kirby N.
March Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top