Terms For Newbies

Terms For Newbies

We have compiled a list of terms and abbreviations that are commonly found on this website and placed them here for newcomers to read to better understand the topics discussed here.

RBV (Ranger Based Vehicle) Generations:

Ranger
Generation 1 - 1983-1988 (First Rangers made. These are the ones with the square headlamps recessed into the grill)
Generation 2 - 1989-1992 (New fenders, hood, grill, headlamps and bumper, different wiring. New dash and other interior upgrades)
Generation 3 - 1993-1997 (Theses are the first Rangers with the rounded front end. There was an interior redesign in 1995)
Generation 4 - 1998-Up (New front suspension. Torsion setup in the 4wd Models and A arm setup is the 2wd's. New front ends)

Bronco II
Generation 1 - 1984-1988 (Generation 1 Ranger based)
Generation 2 - 1989-1990 (Generation 2 Ranger based)

Explorer
Generation 1 - 1991-1994 (Generation 2 Ranger based)
Generation 2 - 1994-1997 (switched to SLA IFS that Rangers didn't get until Generation 4, gained 5.0L and AWD options)
Generation 2.5 - 1998-2001 (minor exterior changes, option packages reworked)
Generation 3 - 2002-Present (4W IFS, total departure from Ranger platform, dropped 5.0 for 4.6 modular)

Explorer Sport
Generation 3 - 2001-2003 (branched off the Generation 2 Explorer with a new body design shared with Sport Trac, last of Ford's 2 door SUVs)

Explorer Sport Trac
Generation 1 - 2001-Present (basically a crew cab Ranger, but shared styling with Generation 3 Explorer Sport, nearly identical in size to supercab Generation 4 Rangers)

Mountaineer
Generation 1 - 1997 (nothing but a rebadged Explorer)
Generation 1.5 - 1998-2001 (slightly more exterior changes than Explorer)
Generation 2 - 2002-Present (same changes as Explorer, front end changed to imitate Escalade)

Aviator (only included for sake of completeness in family tree)
Generation 1 - 2003-Present (even more overpriced rebadging of Generation 3 Explorer, higher power DOHC 4.6L)

Navajo
Generation 1 - 1991-1994 (clone of Generation 1 Explorer Sport)

B-Series
Generation 3 - 1994-1997 (first year of RBV B-Series, Navajo-style grille, clone of Generation 3 Ranger)
Generation 4 - 1998-Present (clone of Generation 4 Ranger)

Abbreviations:

B2 - Bronco II

BII - Bronco II

BTW - By The Way

EB - Early Bronco (1966 - 1977) or Eddie Bauer

FUBAR - F--ked Up Beyond All Recognition

GVWR gross vehicle weight rating

GCWR gross combined weight rating

HTH - Hope this helps

IFS - Independent Front Suspension

IIRC - If I Remember (Recall) Correctly

IMO - In My Opinion

LOL - Laugh Out Loud

PITA - Pain In The Ass

POS - Piece Of Shit

RBV - Ranger Based Vehicle

ROFL - Rolling On Floor Laughing

ROFLMAO - Rolling On Floor Laughing My Ass Off

RTI - Ramp Travel Index

SAS - Solid Axle Swap

SLA - Short/Long Arm

TIB - Twin I Beam

TTB - Twin Traction Beam

BFH= Big F---ing Hammer

FWIW = For What It's Worth

WTF? - What The F--k

Common Engine Terms:

FPR - fuel pressure regulator
MAP - manifold absolute pressure (sensor)
MAF - mass air flow (sensor)
TPS - throttle position sensor
TFI - Thick Film INTEGRATED (not Ignition)
HEGO or O2 - (heated exhaust gas) oxygen (sensor)
ACT - air charge temperature (sensor)
CTS - coolant temperature sensor
EGR - exhaust gas recirculation (valve)
IAC - Idle air control (bypass valve)
CANP - (charcoal) canister purge (valve)
EEC - evaporative emission control (charcoal canister and related components)
PCM - powertrain control module (computer)
CEL - check engine light (old)
MIL - malfunction indicator lamp (modern -- not all malfunctions are in the engine)
DTC - diagnostic test code
KOEO - key on/engine off
KOER - key on/engine running
SPOUT - spark output (a wire that can be disabled by removing a connector on TFI-IV equipped engines)
FRP - Fuel Rail Pressure Sensor
FTP - Fuel Tank Pressure
EVMV - Electronic Vapor Management Valve (modern version of the CANP)
VSS - Vehicle Speed Sensor
GEM - Generic Electronic Module
FMEM - Failure Mode Effects Management
KAM - Keep Alive Memory
EFI - Electronic Fuel Injection
CFI - Central Fuel Injection
SEFI - Sequential Electronic Fuel Injection
EGR - Exhaust Gas Recirculation
EVR - Electronic Vacuum Regulator (regulates vacuum to the EGR)
EVP - EGR Valve Position
DPFE - Delta Pressure Feeback EGR
TBI - throttle body injection
ECU / ECM - engine control unit / module
VSS - vehicle speed sensor
MSDS - material safety data sheet
EMA = engine manufacturers association
VI - viscosity index
ABS - antilock brake system
AFR - air fuel ratio
TDC / BDC - top / bottom dead center
DIS - distributorless ignition system
EEC - evaporative emission control
EGO sensor - Exhaust gas oxygen sensor
MPFI - multi point fuel injection

Definitions:

Ricer = Object. (Est.-1990's?) A vehicle, usually of Japanese origin, front wheel drive drivetrain, engine displacement under 2 liters, in an inline configuration of 4 cylinders with weak horsepower & torque figures. But in extreme cases can be subjected to turbo charging and nitrous injection in an attempt to make vehicle faster. Other vehicle aspects are but not limited to: a round, chromed, straight-thru muffler with a chromed tip several inches bigger than the intermediate tailpipe. Sound is identical to a coffee can filled with bees or a hair comb covered with wax paper played like a harmonica. A wing mounted on the rear deck or trunk resembling an erector set. Some with multi wings to create more downforce to slow the vehicle down. Stickers on any part of the vehicle I.E. doors, fenders. Most common being "type R", "NOS", "APC" and various old english script.
Headlights that give off a bluish color to simulate HID systems. Fog lights with identical light patterns. A body kit made of fiberglass or plastic that gives the vehicle more of a streamlined look and to aid in handling such as a high speed flyby after losing a race. An onboard audio/video system that can exceed the value of the car, with multiple amps, tv monitors, and various video gaming systems. A wheel & tire configuration with oversized chrome rims & low profile Z-rated tires to aid in high speed cornering in shopping mall parking lots.

"1-Link" Referring to a suspension with (1) solid arm that locates the axle either in a 'U' or 'V' shape and comes together at one point on the frame with a ball style joint that allows the arm/axle to pivot from (1) point.

"3-Link" Referring to a suspension where the axle is located with (2) arms that run forward to the frame with a third bar that locates the axle from side to side.

"4-Link" Referring to a suspension where the axle is located with (4) links that run forward to the frame to locate the axle.

"Lincoln Locker" Referring to welded spider gears Ersatz (German word for "imitation") Locke, though in truth it's actually a crude (but effective) "Mini-spool". It's called "Lincoln" not after the car, but rather than the Lincoln brand of Welding machines (The commonest welders)

"T-L" refers to the Factory Limited slip differential - Trac-Lok. Sometimes specifically referred to (when discussing 7.5" rear axles) as the "S-spring" Limited slip to separate it from the earlier POS (See above) that used conical clutches (Aka: Auburn)

"Torsen" refers to the Gleeson-Torsen (old name) or Zexel-Torsen (Current name) Worm gear type limited slip diff (essentially copied by the Detroit "True-Trac")

"R1" refers to the Mazda built "M5OD-R1" transmission introduced in 1988 and is the ONLY manual trans used in rangers from 1993-on (and from 1988-1992 only 2.9 engines could be equipped with the "other" manual transmission)

"R2" refers to the Mazda built M5OD-R2 (which shares NO significant parts with the "R1") that was used in 4.9liter and 5.0liter F-150 and Full size Bronco's from 1988-1996. The R2 was also continued from 1997-current with V6 engines and 4.6 liter V8 powered F-150's

"T-K" refers to the Toyo-Koygo 4sp and 5sp manual transmissions used in Rangers and Bronco2's from 1983-1987