What did you do to your Ranger today? (Part Deux!)

[DILLARD000]

...back from taking the 2011 on a hunting trip. Sadly, all I did was take the rifle for a walk in the woods.

Rut's now in full swing in my front acre!

 

[cbxer55]

Driver's side axle seal was leaking , I noticed it when the truck was on a lift for the trans fluid and filter. Both are now replaced, new fluid and the differential cover painted gloss black. Looks good with the chrome allen head bolts and washers now. Bearings were still good, likely since this is the third time in 20 years the differential fluid has been changed.

 

[racsan]

been daily driving mine since the thermostat in the hhr stuck open, been waiting 2 weeks for my rock auto order. Its been nice driving it though, got recalled from my layoff from last july and Im driving farther then I had been, first couple days it felt like it was surging as Id accelerate, it seems to have gone away now. Cranking when cold sounds a little off, either my 2 year old battery is getting weak or I have a starter beginning to fail. 10 hrs on “days” sure feels different then 10’s on nights.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Brought home my snow removal equipment. Itll be doing double duty at my house and the old house. I got the bucket for my place in town and a 60 inch blade for the old house.

The buckets actually been handy for alot of things.

 

[Dirtman]

That truck is rusty.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

That truck is rusty.

Heres a question for you tranny guys...

You think thats too much to tow in O/D? I used to tow my boat everywhere with rusty #1 in O/D before i really knew better and never had an issue. But im guessing the boat was probably maybe 1200lbs

Im going to guess im around 1700lbs....it tows it 55-60 in 5th and doesnt seem to work much harder then it does empty. Just curious. TK 5 speed.

The only time i really feel it is on the 1st to 2nd shift....and stopping of course.

 

[pjtoledo]

That truck is rusty.

by Michigan standards that's just surface rust.

I'm about 54 miles from that location, have stopped at both McDs and the carryout while out 'n about.

 

[scotts90ranger]

Dustin, I'm pretty sure it's not great for the trans, but you aren't doing it every day all day, I don't think you are going to drastically reduce it's lifespan at this point... I tow in 5th in my F350 all the time and it would be dang near impossible to avoid doing so and get normal fuel mileage since that would put the engine speed around 2300rpm or so at 60-65mph which at least on my 7.3L makes the fuel mileage do down significantly vs staying at 2000rpm or lower. That said, with how smooth the thing shifts (with or without the clutch, I call it a semiautomatic transmission...) I should probably look for a spare

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Dustin, I'm pretty sure it's not great for the trans, but you aren't doing it every day all day, I don't think you are going to drastically reduce it's lifespan at this point... I tow in 5th in my F350 all the time and it would be dang near impossible to avoid doing so and get normal fuel mileage since that would put the engine speed around 2300rpm or so at 60-65mph which at least on my 7.3L makes the fuel mileage do down significantly vs staying at 2000rpm or lower. That said, with how smooth the thing shifts (with or without the clutch, I call it a semiautomatic transmission...) I should probably look for a spare

Yeah i dont tow with the ranger very far or very often (this trip was a whole 7 or 8 miles, of which 5 maybe was cruiseing 55-60 in 5th lol).

I was going to try just running 4th but it seemed like the motor was screaming (atleast to me) at 45 or so, it actually seemed happier in 5th, just didnt know if the trans would like it.

First time i towed "heavy" with it since ive had it running good....it tows way better then it did on 4 or 5 cylinders lol.

....and yes if you got a ZF shifting that smooth its on its way out. Those are damn good trannys but the few ive drove always were kinda clunky even compared to the old 4 speed smashboxes im accustomed to.

 

[G8orFord]

You think thats too much to tow in O/D?

Well, if you don't tow that load in O/D, you're going back on your premise that torque is more important than HP.

But, seriously, I would think a good running 2.9, 5 speed should handle that load fine in O/D at +55 mph, depending on the rear gear. I don't think it's hurting the trans at that speed.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Well, if you don't tow that load in O/D, you're going back on your premise that torque is more important than HP.

But, seriously, I would think a good running 2.9, 5 speed should handle that load fine in O/D at +55 mph, depending on the rear gear. I don't think it's hurting the trans at that speed.

I didnt think it would. Its just nice to have a few people back up your thinking ya know?

I got a 3.45 rear in it. Like i said it felt nice and strong at 55-60 even up a few small hills. But i dont wanna burn up a trans if i dont have too lol.

 

[G8orFord]

Oddly enough, I've got a 14' trailer similar to yours that is a bear to tow with the back gate on. Sticks up about 5'. I can tell it's back there on my 6.7 because it catches so much wind. On the Ranger, 4.0 SOHC, auto, 4.10 gears, it will pull down to fourth while going up a hill with an empty trailer. It's ridiculous how bad that trailer pulls with the gate on. Take it off and you never know it's there.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Oddly enough, I've got a 14' trailer similar to yours that is a bear to tow with the back gate on. Sticks up about 5'. I can tell it's back there on my 6.7 because it catches so much wind. On the Ranger, 4.0 SOHC, auto, 4.10 gears, it will pull down to fourth while going up a hill with an empty trailer. It's ridiculous how bad that trailer pulls with the gate on. Take it off and you never know it's there.

This ones never had a gate since ive owned it. Its got a place for one, i need to redo it soon i was thinkin bout puttin one on it maybe i wont lol.

 

[scotts90ranger]

Yeah, stuff sticking up in the back of a trailer is like a parachute... I have a 18' deck over trailer with heavy duty ramps 6' long that stand straight up, empty the trailer has as much load or more to tow as with a car on it... If I don't need the ramps I take them off which isn't the most fun since they weigh over 100lb each...

This ZF5 has over 350k on the clock, maybe I shouldn't talk or think about it too much... at least I'm not putting serious horsepower to the thing... I think that engine was rated at 420ftlb at 1700rpm and 225hp at 3200rpm or something...

When I towed my new toolbox home with the '97 Ranger I had the bottom box across the front of the trailer (not the one above, this one is my quad trailer, not deck over and I think 6'x12' no sides), top box behind it lengthwise, it was about all the little 2.3L would do in 4th to do 55mph...

 

[Curious Hound]

Bad aerodynamics kills me towing my ranger behind the Fun50. I notice a real difference between interstate speeds and backroad speeds. Avg 9mpg on long interstate trips. 4.6l auto