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

[Rick W]

Had to replace the upper radiator hose AND the ignition key lock cylinder today.

I should have replaced the upper hose at the same time that I replaced the water pump over the Independence Day weekend (see my previous post on this topic), as I had noticed it was swelling like a balloon, but I figured it would last a few more days.

And it did.

Then it ruptured like a balloon this morning. Lucky for me, it was AFTER I had dropped the Wife off at her job. Also lucky for me, I had bought a new hose the day before at Autozone. The new hose was a Dayco brand, part number 71654. About $15 but NOT made in China.

Replacing he lock cylinder was easy-peasy, but the radiator hose pointed at a different angle than the radiator inlet on top. This being due to a dual core radiator from a 4.0 being installed under emergency conditions three years ago. On a summer holiday as well!

Anyway, in order to get the hose end to line up with the radiator inlet without bending or kinking it, I cut off about one inch from its straight section, reversed it, then rotated it 180 degrees. I coupled it back to the longer part coming from the thermostat housing with a short piece of thinwall copper tubing, sealing both sides with a blue gasket maker (NOT Permatex.) This allowed the hose to mate with the radiator inlet at its preferred angle. I used stainless steel hose clamps all around.

This coupling is now directly UNDER the air intake tube.

Ran the engine to normal operating temperature until the thermostat opened (the temp gauge makes a sudden drop from the 12 o'clock position to the N in NORMAL), then took it for a short test drive around the neighborhood.

Happy to report no leaks!

I am not sure if this will be a permanent solution...perhaps the proper fix would be to install the radiator for a 3.0 so as to avoid these hose modifications.

We'll see how long this lasts...

Sounds like my “upside down and backwards but works” theory is catching steam. I’ll consider you for a junior shed of miracles award.

 

[bobbywalter]

patched up the t case leak on the ranger from lil bobs adventuring last month.....laid out some stuff for the frame repair up front on the ranger....

i am skeptical of doing the weld on layover and box out with center ties from the steering box to the front cross member.......not sure if that can keep it from cracking..

tempted to tear the cooling system out and get the front clip off and pull the engine and trans....front quarter the frame rails with 2x4....and put in sliders for the front leaf springs...but cant find my sliders.

probably not going to as i am expecting parts for the ....thing that pretends to be a ranger.....

 

[ben_2_go]

I need to replace the purge valve, DPFE with the connector, the EGR valve and line. I'm a bit worried about getting that EGR line off the exhaust manifold. I don't have the right wrench. I'll have to cut it close to the fitting and try to split the nut without messing up the threads on the exhaust manifold. It's gonna be a shit show. I have nothing to drive while I make the repairs and we're going to have really bad storms this afternoon. I'm a bit skittish about doing this job.

 

[Rick W]

I need to replace the purge valve, DPFE with the connector, the EGR valve and line. I'm a bit worried about getting that EGR line off the exhaust manifold. I don't have the right wrench. I'll have to cut it close to the fitting and try to split the nut without messing up the threads on the exhaust manifold. It's gonna be a shit show. I have nothing to drive while I make the repairs and we're going to have really bad storms this afternoon. I'm a bit skittish about doing this job.

Pray to Him. Ask His wisdom and protection. Ask He guides you in deciding and proceeding.

 

[ben_2_go]

Pray to Him. Ask His wisdom and protection. Ask He guides you in deciding and proceeding.

Dear Henry, please watch over my Ranger and myself as I attempt this endevour to repair the Strangler once again so he may live another year. Aford!

 

[Vinny68]

Bought my '97 Ranger XLT Supercab 2WD with only 50,000 miles on it about 4 weeks ago. Since then I've replaced the thermostat and drained/filled the coolant to fix the temp gauge that never got above the Cold mark. I recharged the AC and now it blows ice cold which is great given how hot it's been this summer. I replaced the cruise control switches on the steering wheel. The switches almost looked like they had caught fire in the past - they were bubbled and melted and the cruise control didn't work. Surprisingly after the switches were replaced the cruise control now works again. I also had a local upholstery shop replace the headliner that was ripped and stained.

 

[Rick W]

Dear Henry, please watch over my Ranger and myself as I attempt this endevour to repair the Strangler once again so he may live another year. Aford!

Henry?

 

[sgtsandman]

Henry?

Henry Ford

 

[ben_2_go]

Henry?

Henry Ford, the original Ford man.

 

[Rick W]

Henry Ford

I believe God does have a sense of humor. If you doubt me, just look around you.

 

[sgtsandman]

I believe God does have a sense of humor. If you doubt me, just look around you.

I notice it every time I look in the mirror.

 

[bobbywalter]

I notice it every time I look in the mirror.

ypu....i know what you mean...

 

[Curious Hound]

ypu....i know what you mean...

Yes. It's obvious every time I see @sgtsandman .

 

[bobbywalter]

I need to replace the purge valve, DPFE with the connector, the EGR valve and line. I'm a bit worried about getting that EGR line off the exhaust manifold. I don't have the right wrench. I'll have to cut it close to the fitting and try to split the nut without messing up the threads on the exhaust manifold. It's gonna be a shit show. I have nothing to drive while I make the repairs and we're going to have really bad storms this afternoon. I'm a bit skittish about doing this job.

just cut the tube with a whizzer wheel or tubing cutter....and patch it back together.


cut it high as possible and use high temp hose or copper.

 

[RangerBilly]

Sounds like my “upside down and backwards but works” theory is catching steam. I’ll consider you for a junior shed of miracles award.

Rick, don't award me just yet!

The hose that I coupled with the copper pipe and hose clamps slipped right off this afternoon, resulting in some loss of coolant but no overheating. When the engine cooled a bit, I threaded some stiff wire through both hose clamps and twisted the ends as tightly as I could with my fingers.

I really wanted a threaded pipe coupling that the rubber hose could grip better, but couldn't find any at that particular store with a big enough diameter.

I haven't given up yet. Thought it was a clever idea, but the execution was lacking a bit.

As Thomas Edison said...