98v70dad
Active Member
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2017
- Messages
- 325
- Reaction score
- 38
- Points
- 28
- Location
- GA
- Vehicle Year
- 1996
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Engine Size
- 3.0L
- Transmission
- Automatic
- 2WD / 4WD
- 2WD
I've been patiently waiting for the new ford ranger so I can buy one. I'm interested in a 4x4 diesel crew cab (if that combo happens) . In the meantime my dad gave me his 96 Ranger with 49,000 miles which isn't ideal for my uses but its FREE. I pick up the truck next weekend.
I want to use it for towing a lightweight fiberglass camper (like a scamp or casita) and to get me to my backpacking destinations which sometimes includes fording fairly shallow streams and always involves driving on forest service rutted roads. I dont plan to tow a trailer on the FS roads.
I've read that the 3.0L isn't great for towing but it will get by with a light weight trailer. I'm already planning to replace the drum brakes with mustang disks and have been considering maybe a winch to compensate for not having 4WD. Forest service roads don't usually require a 4WD but if you get stuck you get stuck with little chance of help coming along.
I'm in Georgia so snow and ice isn't a big issue. Anyhow, my question is what simple mods could I do to this truck to make it more suited to my uses? Since 96 its been a suburban second "car" at my dad's place.
I want to use it for towing a lightweight fiberglass camper (like a scamp or casita) and to get me to my backpacking destinations which sometimes includes fording fairly shallow streams and always involves driving on forest service rutted roads. I dont plan to tow a trailer on the FS roads.
I've read that the 3.0L isn't great for towing but it will get by with a light weight trailer. I'm already planning to replace the drum brakes with mustang disks and have been considering maybe a winch to compensate for not having 4WD. Forest service roads don't usually require a 4WD but if you get stuck you get stuck with little chance of help coming along.
I'm in Georgia so snow and ice isn't a big issue. Anyhow, my question is what simple mods could I do to this truck to make it more suited to my uses? Since 96 its been a suburban second "car" at my dad's place.