1998 Ranger XLT 4x4

[MountainMike]

Mike's 1998 4x4 (Updated: 56K Beware)

Here is the story I put up in "General Discussion" to get some help.

So I bought my '98 Ranger 4x4 a couple months ago. Its a great truck and it just burns a little oil on cold days when i start it. No bid deal as I got another motor lined up and will be riding my bike around this summer. That should give me a chance to maybe rebuild this thing

Anyways I was sitting around BSing with my buddy and I noticed this funny little green sticker on the side of my block. I take a look at it and read :OHV EXPL AUTO LHD". The funny part is I have a manual Ranger. The manufacturing date... November 2000. So I have a newer motor in my truck and it still burns oil. The truck has 240,000 KM on it and I wonder what the motor has.

LAter in that same day I see an import sticker on the door, which is weird becuase the Ranger has all the CAD gauges. Is there anyway unique features to canadian 98's?

Oh yeah and it used to be a mine truck and has had a crazy ammount of owners. I'm going to run the VIN to see what this thing was and has had done, it could be worth while to sepnd the $30 and get a CarProof report.

Either way, I still love my truck

I'll post up some pics later in a my "show off your truck thread"

Here are some pics of the truck the day I bought it at the used dealership. $6000 CAD, two grand off what they wanted

 

[MountainMike]

The basics of "Spinny" the RangerUpdated Nov 29/09)
Exlporer 4.0L
Mazda 5-speed
31 inch tires on 15x8 Core Racing rims
Heavy Duty "Tall" Eagle leaf springs
Slight T-Bar Crank
JVC Head unit
Lightforce lights
Advance G3 hard tonneau cover

Going on soon:
Westin grill guard
CB radio

 

[johnsislandranger]

thats a damn good looking truck good buy

 

[funkingonutz]

what rims are those???? JW

 

[constant_projecttruck]

What are the plans for it?

Tell me you are going with a 5.0L....please tell me.

 

[MountainMike]

thats a damn good looking truck good buy

Thanks man, I'm happy with it.

what rims are those???? JW

They are Core Racing rims from KalTire. I had to look it up when I bought the truck, I beleive the model is Revolver.

What are the plans for it?

Tell me you are going with a 5.0L....please tell me.

That thought honestly occured to me but a buddy said I could have a 4.0L he had for free so I might just keep using that. I'm hoping to put on a 3-5" lift and fit 33's. Right now I am going to build up a front diff skid plate and a cop car style bulkbar.

 

[MountainMike]

Mike's '98: Maintenance Day 1 (56K Warning)

So I've decided to treat the '98 to some good stuff. Filters and a whole wack of goodies. My buddy came over to help and snap pics. Today was the basic maintenace, day 1 of 2/3.

Look at all those goodies, the 1998 was happy

Picked up one of these kits at Canadian Tire for $20

Who-Hoo Explorer motor

Look at that engine bay

Add that stuff to the engine oil as it is running, NO MORE THAN 10 MINUTES!

Had to bust out the mallet to get the drain plug off

High mileage oil filter to go with the high mileage oil

Before you slam it, Fram it

Turns out my snaps were broken and the previous owner put bolt on there


More coming up later for those interested!

 

[marccus]

god only knows the life of a used vehicle, car fax is only good if the had work done to it at a shop.could have been imported,does it have daytime running lights in the fuse box,or is it an aftermarket box somewhere under the hood, if it was built in the states, ment for canada, it will also have an import sticker. as for the engine, sounds like a junk yard motor,god only knows the life of it, is there any numbers on it writen in paint marker?good sign of a used engine,but as long as it runs good,she's all good

 

[MountainMike]

Here's the thing Marccus, it has no paint pen anywhere on it, not on the shroud or anything. The transmission has a "Gear Centre" badge on the side of it. This seems like a good shop job to me. As far as the import sticker goes, it has DRLs and the Ford factory power distribution box. I personally think it has a '99 American cab on it. I'm going to post up more pics in a bit!

 

[MountainMike]

More Maintenance Pics! (56K Beware)

With the old oil draining out I decided I would put in the new filter.

Looks pretty good in there

Beautiful!

My epic badges!

A crucial thing many people forget to do on mug-mount oil filters

Put that stuff in the oil, not sure what it does but it came with the kit

Perfect! On the first try

 

[MountainMike]

Last Day 1 Maintenance Pics (56K Beware)

The last few pics from day one:

As you can plainly see, my rad is a bit beat-to-crap

BUT... I managed to score a new shroud off a buddy for free, he said it got in his way while muddin'

That is all that was left of the shroud that was on there

That must've been one helluva whack to snap that like that

Much better!


NEXT SESSION: Shocks and fuel filter, stay tuned!

 

[DannyG]

I like the truck, and being able to do the work yourself makes the Ranger that much more yours!

Yes, keep us updated! I would do the same... but I always forget the camera and dirty hands and technology are not good bed fellows!

 

[Toms01PSD]

I didn't realize that was suppose to go there...I think I may have to check to see if I have one. I don't recall seeing one!

 

[MountainMike]

Thanks for the words guys! I'll be putting on a the new fuel filter on Friday and the Ranchos will go on either Friday or Saturday, weather permitting of course. I'm going to keep this thread updated with the maintenance I do on this thing, keep it a good reference point for people looking to change shocks and such. I'm thinking of building an exhaust too so keep watching.

 

[MountainMike]

Well guys, it was way too hot in my little mountain town to get any work done on the truck. As soon as it cools down I'l get right back at it. Here's a little easter egg for you all, for no specific reason... does anyone now a good company to get an affordable 3" body lift from and a 1-2" T-case drop to keep pinion reasonable. Thanks crew!