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

[ThatOneGuy]

Well it wasnt to my ranger, but for the old ranger. I picked up the intake gasket set, and got the intake pulled in the 93 exp. I bought to 4.0 swap my ranger, plenum gaskets were obviously shot, however manifold bolts were nice and tight, pulled it anyway cuz i was there and bought the gasket might as well do it. Upon inspection is was fairly degraded, but im not sure the lower intake was leaking, glad i planned to do it anyway though.

 

[Rick W]

I picked up 3 excellent 15” deer hoof wheels and 4 hubs & a 15” spare on a bullet hole steelie for $50. Spare was good and 2 tires were decent RWL 235/75-15s. Don’t need them but couldn’t resist at that price. ADD ‘em to the junk pile.

It almost hit 60 today, so I pulled the 87 4wd axle & changed the bearing and seal. I’d never done that before. I watched the video 3 times and was a nervous Nellie. It took 15 minutes! Refilled it and checked the T-case (was over filled) and front diff (took a pint). The rear gears all looked like new, no visible wear, Odom says 312,000. I had a little fun with the rear cover (gasket and RTV), so I don’t have to decode the little tag next time.

I also put on the pullapart spare tire hanger. Had to modify the tail pipe an inch with a 24” pipe wrench, but it all fit great.

Then I tackled the PAP receiver. Man, I’m too fat and old for this crap, but I love it. I did an old trick where you pull the bumper bolts one by one, and put a loose zip tie through the holes so you never actually drop the bumper much. Then you put the receiver up and replace the zip ties through the receiver one by one, so both are hanging close. Then I pull it up with 1/4-20 bolt in one hole so I can put the real bolt in the other. I screwed up and forgot to get longer bolts but I still have it together. I’ll swap bolts tomorrow & I still have to drill and bolt the 3rd hole on each side.

(14” bullet hole trailer tongue jack in the background).

Tomorrow I hope to finish swapping the corroded brake lines, put the new radiator in and put the wheels and tires back on and actually DRIVE the stupid thing!!!

 

[Dirtman]

I picked up 3 excellent 15” deer hoof wheels and 4 hubs & a 15” spare on a bullet hole steelie for $50. Spare was good and 2 tires were decent RWL 235/75-15s. Don’t need them but couldn’t resist at that price. ADD ‘em to the junk pile.

It almost hit 60 today, so I pulled the 87 4wd axle & changed the bearing and seal. I’d never done that before. I watched the video 3 times and was a nervous Nellie. It took 15 minutes! Refilled it and checked the T-case (was over filled) and front diff (took a pint). The rear gears all looked like new, no visible wear, Odom says 312,000. I had a little fun with the rear cover (gasket and RTV), so I don’t have to decode the little tag next time.

View attachment 54642

I also put on the pullapart spare tire hanger. Had to modify the tail pipe an inch with a 24” pipe wrench, but it all fit great.

View attachment 54643

Then I tackled the PAP receiver. Man, I’m too fat and old for this crap, but I love it. I did an old trick where you pull the bumper bolts one by one, and put a loose zip tie through the holes so you never actually drop the bumper much. Then you put the receiver up and replace the zip ties through the receiver one by one, so both are hanging close. Then I pull it up with 1/4-20 bolt in one hole so I can put the real bolt in the other. I screwed up and forgot to get longer bolts but I still have it together. I’ll swap bolts tomorrow & I still have to drill and bolt the 3rd hole on each side.

View attachment 54655
View attachment 54656

(14” bullet hole trailer tongue jack in the background).

Tomorrow I hope to finish swapping the corroded brake lines, put the new radiator in and put the wheels and tires back on and actually DRIVE the stupid thing!!!

Hey if you don't mind me asking, what type of rear axle is that and what's the gear ratio?

 

[Jazzer]

STOP cracking me up, the pastor is giving me dirty looks, and sound really travels in church....

-Jazzer

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Friday I patched the frame in the 92 and made a failed attempt at replacing a bad front u-joint. One of the spindle nuts just spun on the stud. This afternoon I plan on trying again. Going to try splitting the nut off and hopefully the threads on the stud at worse will just need a tap run over them. If not, I managed to salvage a couple studs off an unused axle. Tried to buy new studs but I can’t find any for our trucks, only F-150 and larger, which are 3/8” fine thread supposedly and RBVs apparently are M10-1.25

 

[Alan_nc]

Picked up a computer from a 94, 3.0, auto, 2 wd (same as mine). Guy is doing a V8 swap and couldn't use any of the old wiring.

I have the problem where the computer doesn't see the fuel pump. Truck is currently running great with a switch under the dash that turns the fuel pump on and off. Would really like the fix the problem. If you forget to shut off the pump the battery runs down very quickly.

 

[ThatOneGuy]

Well i used her to make a dump run, than spent several hours cleaning up the 4.0 intake parts. Ohmd out the injectors 4 at 19 ohms and 2 at 18 ohms. I bench tested and they all click, i still need to make an adaptor to test fire them with carb cleaner. Should i be ok with the difference in resistance, should i use them on paird cylinders, or should it not make a difference. Than the most important part should i paint lol.

 

[Rick W]

I finished up the bumper, trailer hitch and spare carrier except wiring. Bumper is low on one side a hair, I’ll shim it. I finished replacing the brake lines on the 87 4WD, easier than I thought it would be. I bled it all successfully with a HF vacuum bleeder, worked great, and then I goofed and stepped on the brakes for a feel before I put the rear drums on. Popped open the cylinder on the R rear, & then couldn’t get that bled when I got it back together. I think it’s called “snatching defeat out of the jaws of victory!” Redhead will step on the brakes for me, but I’ll hear about it for a week or two...

I also broke out my poor mans’ steam jenni (bug sprayer full of hot water, degreaser and ammonia) and cleaned up the hub that had the bad seal. Baby steps, only radiator and putting the wheels on for a ride. Someday.

What I really need from y’all wiser than me is more info on the Ford/Ranger/Lincoln ESP thing. Is it still ESP when it’s cars/trucks? I’m also concerned it’s malevolent!!

Let me explain. I’m fooling around with these old Rangers now, but I generally keep my cars in original pristine condition. But now with the Rangers, every time I fix something on one, something dies on another. I.e. I almost have the 87 4WD going, & the starter on the F250 died. When I fixed the 97 2wd, my 87 Towncar HVAC got a mind of its own. What gives??!?!? Which TRS thread has the exorcism procedures? ️ Couldn’t find it on youtube.

(do do do do, do do do do*

*twilight zone theme)

 

[sgtsandman]

I finished up the bumper, trailer hitch and spare carrier except wiring. Bumper is low on one side a hair, I’ll shim it. I finished replacing the brake lines on the 87 4WD, easier than I thought it would be. I bled it all successfully with a HF vacuum bleeder, worked great, and then I goofed and stepped on the brakes for a feel before I put the rear drums on. Popped open the cylinder on the R rear, & then couldn’t get that bled when I got it back together. I think it’s called “snatching defeat out of the jaws of victory!” Redhead will step on the brakes for me, but I’ll hear about it for a week or two...

I also broke out my poor mans’ steam jenni (bug sprayer full of hot water, degreaser and ammonia) and cleaned up the hub that had the bad seal. Baby steps, only radiator and putting the wheels on for a ride. Someday.

What I really need from y’all wiser than me is more info on the Ford/Ranger/Lincoln ESP thing. Is it still ESP when it’s cars/trucks? I’m also concerned it’s malevolent!!

Let me explain. I’m fooling around with these old Rangers now, but I generally keep my cars in original pristine condition. But now with the Rangers, every time I fix something on one, something dies on another. I.e. I almost have the 87 4WD going, & the starter on the F250 died. When I fixed the 97 2wd, my 87 Towncar HVAC got a mind of its own. What gives??!?!? Which TRS thread has the exorcism procedures? Couldn’t find it on youtube.

(do do do do, do do do do*

*twilight zone theme)

I sounds to me like Murphy and his law lives at your house. He likes to come by for a visit from time to time here but not on a regular basis. It seems that OCD preventative maintenance tends to help keep him away but that isn't a full proof plan.

 

[ThatOneGuy]

I finished up the bumper, trailer hitch and spare carrier except wiring. Bumper is low on one side a hair, I’ll shim it. I finished replacing the brake lines on the 87 4WD, easier than I thought it would be. I bled it all successfully with a HF vacuum bleeder, worked great, and then I goofed and stepped on the brakes for a feel before I put the rear drums on. Popped open the cylinder on the R rear, & then couldn’t get that bled when I got it back together. I think it’s called “snatching defeat out of the jaws of victory!” Redhead will step on the brakes for me, but I’ll hear about it for a week or two...

I also broke out my poor mans’ steam jenni (bug sprayer full of hot water, degreaser and ammonia) and cleaned up the hub that had the bad seal. Baby steps, only radiator and putting the wheels on for a ride. Someday.

What I really need from y’all wiser than me is more info on the Ford/Ranger/Lincoln ESP thing. Is it still ESP when it’s cars/trucks? I’m also concerned it’s malevolent!!

Let me explain. I’m fooling around with these old Rangers now, but I generally keep my cars in original pristine condition. But now with the Rangers, every time I fix something on one, something dies on another. I.e. I almost have the 87 4WD going, & the starter on the F250 died. When I fixed the 97 2wd, my 87 Towncar HVAC got a mind of its own. What gives??!?!? Which TRS thread has the exorcism procedures? Couldn’t find it on youtube.

(do do do do, do do do do*

*twilight zone theme)

Tell me about it. first i get hit in my truck, now the explorer is making noise in the passenger front axle, with a decent shudder, at highway speed. I guess rhe universe likes to keep me busy. Lucky the ranger is still reliable, and i do have the hodont its nice and zippy but not my cup of tea.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Got the u-joint changed yesterday so I’m ready for the bad weather we are supposed to get. Or at least as ready as I can be right now

 

[sgtsandman]

Got the u-joint changed yesterday so I’m ready for the bad weather we are supposed to get. Or at least as ready as I can be right now

Spank the weather and it won"t be bad. DUH!

 

[Rick W]

So close and yet so far....

So, I was thinking about asking the redhead to pump the brakes for me and visions of an Arnold Terminator movie or Bronson’s Death Wish came to mind. Honestly, I joke, she’d help me anyway she can and she’s a sweet southern belle as sweet as sweet can be, but she’s got the memory of an elephant. She’d help with a gracious smile, but I’d never hear the end of “I helped Rick with the piece of junk he should sell and get...”

So, when I was sweating in bed at 5am thinking about it, I had an epiphany! I suspected the HF vacuum bleeder wasn’t working cuz air was leaking in past the bleeder screw threads. So, today I cleaned up the bleeder valve and put a 1” x 1/2” piece of Teflon tape on the threads and tried again. Sweet success and the redhead will never know!

So, then I pulled the single core sieve away from the fan and installed the new double core aluminum. I was so close, but the bottom neck on the new one went out at a 45 degree angle from the original. I rigged it just to see if everything was working, but I don’t trust it. But, A RUNNING RANGER IS A BEAUTIFUL THING!! But the bottom hose connection was stretched and sketchy, so a trip to NAPA tomorrow.

& finally a question for those wiser than me (pretty much anybody). Can you tell me which 5-speed manual this is? And what I really want to know is ATF or 80w90? It’s an 87 4WD 2.9 5-speed manual. Door sticker missing.

Oh, and the other final question: on my 97 4.0 2wd 5-speed manual, spec for the tranny is ATF. It has 312,000 miles, I’m pretty sure original tranny. A while back I had an 83 BMW 320i 4-speed and the tranny took 20w50. There doesn’t seem to be anything wrong with the Ranger transmission, and there are no unusual noises, but the whole thing just seems loud. Not a whine, nothing I think is broken. I was wondering what you guys thought of putting 20 W 50 into one of these ranger five speeds to see if it quiets down. It’s just slightly higher viscosity over the temp range and I don’t think it’ll affect the synchro shifting. Thoughts?

 

[Rick W]

Is this it?

 

[sgtsandman]

Ranger manual transmissions take either gear oil or Mercon V. I'm pretty sure yours takes gear oil. The post you quoted confirms my gut feeling.