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  1. stmitch

    MAB3L, the most reasonable truck on the road!

    The typical recipe for mpg in the 3.0 is e-fan and underdrive pulley combination. This will also free up some hp by reducing parasitic load on the engine. It's an all around win. If you haven't done the throttle cable zip tie mod, that's probably worth checking too as you may not be getting as...
  2. stmitch

    Improving ride quality and handling via lowering? '03 B3000, Std Cab+Short Bed.

    To be clear, I was suggesting relocating the battery and fuel to a location under the bed floor, behind the rear axle so utility wouldn't be impacted, and the only change in weight would be from the added length of wiring/lines to each component. And again, a little more weight farther back...
  3. stmitch

    Improving ride quality and handling via lowering? '03 B3000, Std Cab+Short Bed.

    Sandbags are cheap and easy to use as experimentation. Once you know if you like the way it rides with weight all the way in the back, then you can do something more permanent and discreet like a battery relocation, fuel cell, etc. Those would add little overall weight, and would just move it...
  4. stmitch

    Improving ride quality and handling via lowering? '03 B3000, Std Cab+Short Bed.

    One other thing that is likely contributing to your situation is F/R weight balance. These trucks (especially regular cab/short bed) tend to ride a bit softer with some weight in the back. You could experiment by throwing a few sandbags or something similar in the back of the bed and see what...
  5. stmitch

    Improving ride quality and handling via lowering? '03 B3000, Std Cab+Short Bed.

    Sideways hopping over bumps is inherent to solid axle, leaf spring suspensions. Assuming your suspension is currently healthy, that's not really going to change much unless you radically change something about the design (converting to a 4 link, IRS, etc). A rear swaybar is a great upgrade to a...
  6. stmitch

    Improving ride quality and handling via lowering? '03 B3000, Std Cab+Short Bed.

    Just FYI, the James Duff bars won't work (without modification) if you're still planning an axle flip to lower the rear. The brackets won't work: For spring under axle setups, Caltracs would be the best off the shelf option:
  7. stmitch

    95 ranger to 00 explorer front clip.

    You'd for sure have to cut and weld the fronts of the fenders, and use the Explorer header panel to get the headlights/grille to fit. I think the core support might need to be changed out too, but it's been a long time since I read up on the swap. Oh, hoods are different too.
  8. stmitch

    Improving spark, Upgraded Ignition Coil VS. OEM Equivalent

    It's fine if you want to pursue this just because it interests you, but before I spent hundreds on an attempt to improve an ignition system that's generally pretty good, I'd buy an underdrive pulley for similar or less money. They'll net better performance and improve efficiency more than hotter...
  9. stmitch

    Improving spark, Upgraded Ignition Coil VS. OEM Equivalent

    Not many see the need to pursue this. The threads that I've read over the years from people that have tried alternatives have made me a believer in the factory Motorcraft coilpack/basic Autolite plug combo.
  10. stmitch

    Ft Wayne rod and custom show (pic heavy)

    Rusty also said it was a 76 in his post, so I'm guessing the owner is calling it a 76 for some reason.
  11. stmitch

    Ft Wayne rod and custom show (pic heavy)

    Woah nelly! Lancia made the 037 mid-engine car to compete in the wild Group B rally class. They're highly sought after cars with a reputation for being stupid fast and pretty unsafe: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lancia_Rally_037 Now, there's a company named Kimera that's doing restomods of...
  12. stmitch

    2000 Ford Ranger 18" questions

    18X9 front and 18X10 rear. I don't remember wheel offsets since it's been well over a decade. They're just aftermarket SN95/New Edge Mustang wheels. I don't have any spacers, but I have a bit of a unique setup in front with the Cobra brakes. They use a turned down version of the stock Ranger...
  13. stmitch

    2000 Ford Ranger 18" questions

    The wheel/tire specs and drop should end up pretty close to mine. This is the DJM 4/5 kit with stock Ranger rear axle. I'm running 245/35/18s in front and 295/35/18s in the rear. I'll need new tires soon, and will probably try something with a bit more sidewall in front like you're planning...
  14. stmitch

    Improving ride quality and handling via lowering? '03 B3000, Std Cab+Short Bed.

    Not sure about the VIN situation, but as far as I know, the Dual Sports all had fender flares (kind of like the Edge model Rangers did. Here's a DS:
  15. stmitch

    2000 Ford Ranger 18" questions

    Spacers on the front are typically used when the centerbore of the wheel is too small for the hub to penetrate. They also make it more likely to clear the dustcap on the hub and use a centercap on the wheel. It just depends on the wheel. I'd hold off on spacers of any kind until you can test fit...
  16. stmitch

    Since the Barra is becoming available in the US

    The 5.0 swap is popular into Rangers because they came from the factory in Explorers, so it's more or less a bolt in affair with the right year donor/recipient. A Barra swap would be the complete opposite. Tons of custom work. Transmission, PCM, mounts, cooling system, exhaust, etc all custom...
  17. stmitch

    Help identifying engine year

    No 3.0 ever had the oil filter on the passenger side. They're always right over the starter on the driver's side. As mentioned, the 3.0 was used in many vehicles over the years, so there are different configurations, but the good news is that all 3.0 short blocks are interchangeable. So even...
  18. stmitch

    2000 RBSB Ford Ranger seat and console question

    I think the little cubby with divider just unbolts from the backside of the trim piece:
  19. stmitch

    04 mountaineer sway bar against 04 edge sway bar

    Right. The OP got his bar from an 04 Mountaineer, which has a different front suspension than T-Bar rangers or Explorers. I hadn't seen anybody attempt the newer Explorer/Mounty bar on a Ranger.
  20. stmitch

    Improving ride quality and handling via lowering? '03 B3000, Std Cab+Short Bed.

    You can get lowering keys from Illusive Design and Fab. Not sure if it's still the case, but they were a site sponsor here at one time: https://illusivefab.com/products/ranger-explorer-drop-torsion-keys?_pos=9&_sid=8776be922&_ss=r I think at one time Illusive sold lower control arms for...

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