2.3L ('02-'11) 2.3 L I4 and camper top

[maasiano]

Hello,

I have a 2003 Ford Ranger, with a 2.3 L cyl. I was wondering if a camper shell would be too heavy for these trucks? I know they are super underpowered and I was wondering what other people have done or think. Going uphill on the freeway I am sometimes only able to push 50-55 mph, but I feel like that's pretty standard for these trucks. Are there possible upgrades?

Hope to hear from you all.

Marco

 

[Uncle Gump]

Look at what gear ratio you have vs. tire size.

Sometimes a taller tire will kill the power.

 

[maasiano]

Look at what gear ratio you have vs. tire size.

Sometimes a taller tire will kill the power.

I have a completely stock truck rims are the 15in alloy.

 

[Uncle Gump]

it's not the wheel size... it's the tire size.

Check the door sticker to see what gear ratio you have. Take that info to the Tech Library... it will tell you what it has ( if it wasn't changed). You can also get factory tire size from the same sticker... compare that to what's on the truck.

 

[maasiano]

it's not the wheel size... it's the tire size.

Check the door sticker to see what gear ratio you have. Take that info to the Tech Library... it will tell you what it has ( if it wasn't changed). You can also get factory tire size from the same sticker... compare that to what's on the truck.

Thank you so much, i'll get back to you to you soon.

 

[Jazzer]

Could you describe what type of ‘camper shell’ you’re thinking of?

I bought a ‘97 2.3 longbed with a fiberglass topper and it was a dog, not so much lacking power, but I knew I’d have to put stronger leaf springs in to handle the extra weight in the rear. I had a different ‘97 with an aluminum top and it was fine, powerwise and weightwise.
-Jazzer

 

[Jim bow]

The typical fiberglass canopy weighs less than 100 lbs.

 

[maasiano]

Could you describe what type of ‘camper shell’ you’re thinking of?

I bought a ‘97 2.3 longbed with a fiberglass topper and it was a dog, not so much lacking power, but I knew I’d have to put stronger leaf springs in to handle the extra weight in the rear. I had a different ‘97 with an aluminum top and it was fine, powerwise and weightwise.
-Jazzer

I am planning on getting a fiberglass camper shell something like this.
Note: Mine isn't an extended cab, and I have the alloy 15in rims.

 

[maasiano]

it's not the wheel size... it's the tire size.

Check the door sticker to see what gear ratio you have. Take that info to the Tech Library... it will tell you what it has ( if it wasn't changed). You can also get factory tire size from the same sticker... compare that to what's on the truck.

I have the p225/70r15 100t toyo extensa a/s ww tires, I think the gear ratio is 3.73.

 

[Plum Ranger XLT]

I once had a 1984 Ranger that was a 2.0L 4 cylinder 4 speed short bed that I bought a used cap for the bed and I noticed there wasn't much a difference in power if at all since it was already underpowered to begin with.

 

[scotts90ranger]

With that size tire and 3.73 gears I would expect to be downshifting on inclines at highway speeds. The duratec has more power than the Lima but at higher rpm... That's the size tire I run on my Lima with 4.10 gears and it does fine but I have to downshift to 4th up some hills... RPM is your friend...

That said, the canopy will be fine...