2.9l top speed

86ranger4x4owner · 12-31-2011, 01:47 PM

I have a 1988 ranger 4x4 with the 2.9l and a a4ld automatic. the fast as i could get it was going down hill and it went past 85 but i was only doing 4000 rpms. so is there anything i can do to make it faster? all i can think of is a good tune up change all fliuds and and change the plug wires and such.any other ideas or is this the fast as it will go? it has 31s and a 4.10 in the back.
And also when i let off the gas it declerates pretty fast kinda like something is holding it back any ideas on that? its not the brakes i checked them.

dave2575 · 12-31-2011, 08:30 PM

I have the same Ranger as you and I can tell you that it is what it is... an 88 2.9 4X4 with 4.10's. THAT'S THE NORM. You can give it a good tune up so that you have a good foundation if you want to start adding some performance to your truck. You could go to a taller gear ratio to gain a little speed in the top end, but a chip is your best bet and the quickest gain for improving your trucks performance IMHO. And your deceleration sounds normal for an auto trans and 4.10 gears, I have to keep my foot on the gas going down hill our I will start losing speed pretty fast.

bilzy7 · 12-31-2011, 08:38 PM

New engine time!!!

RangerRyan · 12-31-2011, 08:53 PM

I got my lil 2.0l to do 87 MPH but that was going down hill with a C4 and 302 in the bed. I usually max out at 75.

86ranger4x4owner · 01-01-2012, 01:21 PM

Does anyone know of a good chip then for my truck and what will it increase the top speed at all? Could you give me a link to one so i can take a look at one?

dave2575 · 01-01-2012, 07:39 PM

check these links=

http://www.jetchip.com/Shop/shopdisp...ppp=10&catID=1

http://www.hypertech.com/products-results.aspx

http://motors.shop.ebay.com/Performa...=p4506.c0.m282

BEWARE of the ebay link above. The 2 chips shown on the bottom are just diodes they are not real chips.

Jett chips is the only one with auto trans. There not cheap, but definitely worth it, and they will help in the top end, but a gear ratio change is the best way to gain top end speed.
There are more company's that make chips for ford ranger's search Google.

Psychopete · 01-02-2012, 11:44 AM

The drag is definitely something to check into, how are your MPGs? Check the throttle for slack in the cable too, might not be opening the throttle all of the way. But 85mph sounds about right, my stock all stock 2.9L w/ A4LD would struggle along at 80/85mph. I rebuilt and cammed the engine and burying it wasn't a problem after that. I've since gone with an AOD/5.0 combo and would hit 100 in 3rd with 4th to go still. I never pushed it that hard, though. I miss that truck already, but pulled the engine out to put it in a cleaner truck (87) and going w/ 5 speed manual this time.

86ranger4x4owner · 01-02-2012, 11:50 AM

there no slack in the thottle cable i took all the slack up with zip ties and the motor is fairly built but maybe noot for the top end.am thinking i could bury the speedo with stock tires but i have got it a little over 85 going down hill.

**Beef52751** · 01-04-2012, 09:49 PM

your not going to gain much if anything with a chip

dangerrangerva · 03-13-2012, 09:49 AM

i Have a 88 ford ranger stx model 3.73 gears i can get it top at bout 85 -90 and will still pull but fairly new engine. its been over hauled

Dan B. · 03-13-2012, 01:11 PM

You want to increase the top speed of a 4wd w/ a 2.9L?

Push it off a cliff............

**Will** · 03-13-2012, 02:08 PM

140hp gets used up pretty quickly, doesn't it?

12-31-2011, 01:47 PM	#1
86ranger4x4owner Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Year: 1986,1988 Make: Ford Model: xlt ranger, Engine: 2.3l,2.9l Class: 4x4 Used For: Shcool, Hunting, Playing around Posts: 518 Rep Power: 7 iTrader: (0)	2.9l top speed I have a 1988 ranger 4x4 with the 2.9l and a a4ld automatic. the fast as i could get it was going down hill and it went past 85 but i was only doing 4000 rpms. so is there anything i can do to make it faster? all i can think of is a good tune up change all fliuds and and change the plug wires and such.any other ideas or is this the fast as it will go? it has 31s and a 4.10 in the back. And also when i let off the gas it declerates pretty fast kinda like something is holding it back any ideas on that? its not the brakes i checked them. __________________ '88 ranger ext. cab 4x4 2.9 3" inch bl 31'' bfg km2 mud-terrains. l/s 7.5'' rear with 4.10 1986 ranger reg. cab 2.3l 5 speed 4x4 stock
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12-31-2011, 08:30 PM	#2
dave2575 Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Nor Cal Year: 88 Make: ford Model: ranger xlt Engine: 2.9 Used For: Repairing Posts: 172 Rep Power: 5 iTrader: (0)	I have the same Ranger as you and I can tell you that it is what it is... an 88 2.9 4X4 with 4.10's. THAT'S THE NORM. You can give it a good tune up so that you have a good foundation if you want to start adding some performance to your truck. You could go to a taller gear ratio to gain a little speed in the top end, but a chip is your best bet and the quickest gain for improving your trucks performance IMHO. And your deceleration sounds normal for an auto trans and 4.10 gears, I have to keep my foot on the gas going down hill our I will start losing speed pretty fast.
	Tweet

12-31-2011, 08:38 PM	#3
bilzy7 Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lynn, MA Year: 1998 Make: Ford Model: Explorer Engine: 4.0 SOHC Class: 4x4 Used For: daily driving, fun in the snow Posts: 2,186 Rep Power: 14 iTrader: (0)	New engine time!!! __________________ 1999 Ranger 4.0 4x4 Off Road http://www.therangerstation.com/foru...d.php?t=103611 <--- My Slow Build
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12-31-2011, 08:53 PM	#4
RangerRyan Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Tillamook,Oregon Year: 1988.1984 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Project,Bronco 2 Engine: 2.0l,2.8l Class: 2wd,4x4 Used For: DD, off road project Posts: 136 Rep Power: 6 iTrader: (0)	I got my lil 2.0l to do 87 MPH but that was going down hill with a C4 and 302 in the bed. I usually max out at 75. __________________ Dreaming more then my wallet since 1993.
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01-01-2012, 01:21 PM	#5
86ranger4x4owner Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Year: 1986,1988 Make: Ford Model: xlt ranger, Engine: 2.3l,2.9l Class: 4x4 Used For: Shcool, Hunting, Playing around Posts: 518 Rep Power: 7 iTrader: (0)	Does anyone know of a good chip then for my truck and what will it increase the top speed at all? Could you give me a link to one so i can take a look at one? __________________ '88 ranger ext. cab 4x4 2.9 3" inch bl 31'' bfg km2 mud-terrains. l/s 7.5'' rear with 4.10 1986 ranger reg. cab 2.3l 5 speed 4x4 stock
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01-01-2012, 07:39 PM	#6
dave2575 Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Nor Cal Year: 88 Make: ford Model: ranger xlt Engine: 2.9 Used For: Repairing Posts: 172 Rep Power: 5 iTrader: (0)	check these links= http://www.jetchip.com/Shop/shopdisp...ppp=10&catID=1 http://www.hypertech.com/products-results.aspx http://motors.shop.ebay.com/Performa...=p4506.c0.m282 BEWARE of the ebay link above. The 2 chips shown on the bottom are just diodes they are not real chips. Jett chips is the only one with auto trans. There not cheap, but definitely worth it, and they will help in the top end, but a gear ratio change is the best way to gain top end speed. There are more company's that make chips for ford ranger's search Google. Last edited by dave2575; 01-01-2012 at 07:49 PM.
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01-02-2012, 11:44 AM	#7
Psychopete Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana Year: 1987 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: NONE Class: 2WD Used For: Working on Posts: 3,204 Rep Power: 21 iTrader: (5)	The drag is definitely something to check into, how are your MPGs? Check the throttle for slack in the cable too, might not be opening the throttle all of the way. But 85mph sounds about right, my stock all stock 2.9L w/ A4LD would struggle along at 80/85mph. I rebuilt and cammed the engine and burying it wasn't a problem after that. I've since gone with an AOD/5.0 combo and would hit 100 in 3rd with 4th to go still. I never pushed it that hard, though. I miss that truck already, but pulled the engine out to put it in a cleaner truck (87) and going w/ 5 speed manual this time.
	Tweet

01-02-2012, 11:50 AM	#8
86ranger4x4owner Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Year: 1986,1988 Make: Ford Model: xlt ranger, Engine: 2.3l,2.9l Class: 4x4 Used For: Shcool, Hunting, Playing around Posts: 518 Rep Power: 7 iTrader: (0)	there no slack in the thottle cable i took all the slack up with zip ties and the motor is fairly built but maybe noot for the top end.am thinking i could bury the speedo with stock tires but i have got it a little over 85 going down hill. __________________ '88 ranger ext. cab 4x4 2.9 3" inch bl 31'' bfg km2 mud-terrains. l/s 7.5'' rear with 4.10 1986 ranger reg. cab 2.3l 5 speed 4x4 stock
	Tweet

01-04-2012, 09:49 PM	#9
Beef52751 I Wanna Go Fast!!!! Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Eastern Iowa Year: 86/03 Make: Ford Model: Ranger/F250 Engine: 2.9/6.0 Class: 4x4s Used For: Daily Driver/Beater/Toy Posts: 1,703 Rep Power: 16 iTrader: (9)	your not going to gain much if anything with a chip __________________ 86 Ranger 4X4 D28 8.8 BW1350M, 33s Build Thread WTB: 6'' Skyjacker Brackets and EB Coil Springs PM ME
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03-13-2012, 09:49 AM	#10
dangerrangerva New Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Year: 1988 Make: Ford Model: Ranger STX Engine: 2.9l Class: 4x4 High rider Posts: 7 Rep Power: 0 iTrader: (0)	i Have a 88 ford ranger stx model 3.73 gears i can get it top at bout 85 -90 and will still pull but fairly new engine. its been over hauled
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03-13-2012, 01:11 PM	#11
Dan B. January 2012 STOTM Winner Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Armagh, PA Year: 1985 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 358W loaded with goodies!! Class: 2WD Street and Race Used For: pissin'away money on back tires!! Posts: 220 Rep Power: 11 iTrader: (0)	You want to increase the top speed of a 4wd w/ a 2.9L? Push it off a cliff............ __________________ '85 2WD, SB, 351W with more mods than my signature will let me list!! '88 T-bird Sport Coupe, 5.0L HO, T5, TC rear. '90 Mustang GT 'vert, 5.0L AOD, 4.10's, bolt-ons.
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03-13-2012, 02:08 PM	#12
Will Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Columbus, Indiana Year: 1989 Make: Ford Model: Bronco II Engine: 4.0 Class: 4X4 Used For: a chicken house Posts: 5,855 Rep Power: 10 iTrader: (1)	140hp gets used up pretty quickly, doesn't it? __________________ '83 Ranger cab, '89 B2 frame, 4.0, C5, D35/8.8, 4.10s, Lockrights. '87 Chevy crew 6.2 Banks turbodiesel TH400 GearVendors 4.10 14-bolt Detroit '96 VW Passat Tdi '00 Ford E350 15-pax Powerstroke '09 Suzuki TU250X '04 Moto Guzzi Breva http://willwills.com/
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