Dans 94, RCSB, 4.0, 4x4, 5spd

[Dantheman1540]

Almost died today on an adventure but it was totally not ranger related. I just set nearly to high of a goal to achieve which was paddling 8 miles up a stiff current with no joke 100+ logs blocking the creek, and some rapids which I didn’t know existed in Florida.
Was a grand time tho and I found some of the biggest fossils I’ve found to date. Ranger looked hot unloading at daybreak too.

 

[Dantheman1540]

Replaced blower motor resistor finally, there was so much crap down in the hole I was shocked. Everything was charred and covered in ash too so that was definitely the cause of the smoke pouring out the vents. I didn’t have a great way to clean it out so I grabbed what I could with mechanical fingers and the rest gets to stay I suppose.

 

[scotts90ranger]

The best way to get the junk out of there is to take the blower motor out which is a pain on a V8 Explorer I know but doable...

 

[Dantheman1540]

The best way to get the junk out of there is to take the blower motor out which is a pain on a V8 Explorer I know but doable...

Sounds like work even with a V6, if it catches fire again I’ll deal with it

 

[lowspeedpursuit]

Every time I see this thread at the top, I feel like that bed rack would be great for my paddleboards, and then forget to ask where you got it. Or did you build it yourself out of tube?

 

[Dantheman1540]

Every time I see this thread at the top, I feel like that bed rack would be great for my paddleboards, and then forget to ask where you got it. Or did you build it yourself out of tube?

Hot metal fabrication built it as a weld it yourself kit and sent it to me. I miged it up in half a day or so. I love it! I’ve put a lot of junk on it, and it’s really rated for heavy rooftop tents and two people to sleep on it. Just gotta make sure you get a rack tall enough to go over the cab or it’s useless for paddle boards.

 

[scotts90ranger]

Sounds like work even with a V6, if it catches fire again I’ll deal with it

The main thing in the way on the Explorers and at least my '97 Ranger (don't know when they moved the battery to the drivers side) in the way is the cruise control actuator and coolant/washer fluid tub along with the AC lines if I remember right, but yeah, I'm with ya, I'm usually fighting a vibrating fan or extreme stench of mouse nests so I get motivated...

 

[Dantheman1540]

New blower motor resistor is a life saver! All levels of fan seem more powerful and strangely enough the truck hasn’t gotten warm since I replaced it.
If I haven’t made it clear before, I freaking love this truck! Even as a daily driver it’s just great. I just inherited a 1996 GMC K2500 I’m rebuilding that might be competing for DD time but it’s gonna be hard to not want to take the ranger.

 

[Dantheman1540]

Went to the Offroad park by my house this morning “Ol Florida off road” and put this thing to work. I went solo so I didn’t get any cool pics climbing the man made obstacles, and only snapped a few when I was alone on a trail. Today was supposed to be jeeps only but my neighbor is one of the leaders of the park so I got in and did my best to avoid all the Dash ducks and light bars.

This thing absolutely rocks, I did the vast majority of everything in 2lo, only locking in the hubs when required which was usually on concrete or rocky obstacles. What I feel it needs most is a T case doubler for crawling the man made stuff. It does it, but the level of control I want is not there unless I’m slipping the clutch or on and off the clutch nonstop. Also it still needs some help with the cooling system, it stays very cool crawling along trails with the AC off and windows down. But kick the AC on and in a few minutes it climbs fairly quickly. Thats running trails in 1st or 2nd gear and in low range where I’m keeping the rpm around 2k most of the time. It also got warm when I entered an area full of sand bowls, sand hills, and just deep deep powdery white sugar sand. I tackled it in 2lo 3rd gear, ac off, and windows down. Kept the rpm 2-3k the spin just enough to keep me blasting through the sand but on the climbs I’d let it eat up to 5k or whatever redline is. After a few minutes of that it started to get warm again. I think I’ll revisit the hood vent idea.

 

[Dantheman1540]

One thing I’ve always disliked about my 7100s is the hose clamp resi mount. They move around and are a PITA to install. Don’t remember where I saw these but I found them on amazon and bought just one to try. Super pumped about it! Fits great, is easy to adjust and looks much better. Gotta order the other three now that I know I like them.

Still loving this truck and have been dreaming of another adventure in it.

 

[Dantheman1540]

Finally bit the bullet and cut the hood up. The truck has continued to get warm during sustained 2k rpm or greater so this is the next attempt at remedying that. Although if I’m honest I feel as tho it’s a bandaid to a possible bigger issue and may not even help much. Guess I will find out over the next few days of 100*+ heat.

 

[Dantheman1540]

Hood louvers don’t keep the truck from getting warm during highspeed cruise, but definitely help with the recovery time of it cooling off. So onto the next step, which should really be a leakdown test to see if the heads are cracked and leaking coolant.
Instead I’ll do a radiator flush since the cooling system in the truck is so nasty and has been rinsed many times, but never had a chemical cleaner in it.

Also went out and did a long ruck hike at my local trailhead that has a nice stump to flex out on. I know I’ve posted similar pictures before but dang these deaver 63”s impress the crap out of me.

 

[Dantheman1540]

Been messing with the cooling system in this thing a bunch but I think I’m making some progress so I figured I’d update this thread.

I still drive it to work most of the days out of the week, but haven’t hit any good offroad trails in awhile. I did install a cool inline pre-radiator coolant filter to catch rust chunks. I replaced the water pump and heater core, and change up how I mounted the resis for the shocks in the front. I welded up some little mounts and they are clamped just above the spring bucket on each side. This keeps them further from the tire and looks cool especially with the stickers on them.

Really really close to pulling the trigger on a JD32 tube bender so I can re do a lot of stuff in this truck with much lighter and stronger tube. I think dropping 75-100# off the front and back will do wonders for it. Also want to redo the sliders and the way I want to do them, along with, a bed cage I think I can stiffen the frame considerably. Which might help the horrible bed to cab flex.

 

[DRanger024]

Truck is looking great! I somehow forgot you put new wheels on it. They look awesome with the red.
How fine of particulate is that coolant filter good for?

 

[Xombi]

If the shop that sold you the motor will let you, rob what you can from the Explorer, if you haven't done it already.
Does the Explorer possess possible upgrades?
Best of luck on the journey.