2000 Ranger - Gutless Wonder

[canoeman]

I have a 2000 Ranger extended cab with a 2.5L engine. It is manual transmition and lacks power. I do love my Ranger though and have not been without one since 1989. Any thoughts on this engine?

 

[canoeman]

For that matter, why did they replace the 2.5 with the 2.3? More torque? HP?

 

[scotts90ranger]

what rpm's are you shifting at? these things wake up above 3000rpm... especially with a compressor in front of them (fun to drive around with the turbo)

the duratech 2.3 is a more modern design and gets a bit better mileage while putting out a bit more power, t's a completely different animal than the lima 2.3

 

[canoeman]

I'm guess I'm not in the rpm's it needs. Ford didnt put a tach im my truck. Why on earth would you not put a tach in a manual trans vehicle is beyond me! Any good aftermarket ones out there?

 

[kossdust]

I think you can put a dash in from another truck that has a tach. I am pretty sure it is a easy swap

 

[JohnnyO]

About all you can do at a reasonable price is the throttle cable mod (essentially free) and a Gibson or other cat back exhaust.

 

[Sevensecondsuv]

Nah, all you need is a turbo. Bebuild the engine with forged pistons, throw a T3/T4 on there, crank up the boost, have it dyno tuned and you'll be putting 300 to ground. 5.0L ranger's won't even be able to keep up.

I know, I know, "that's so much work, money, and down time!". Just go to youtube and search for "turbo ranger" and watch a few videos. You'll quickly decide you can't live without a turbo.

FWIW, my swap ended up costing me about $1000 and I did all the work myself. A 2.5L will cost a bit more as you'll have to buy aftermarket forged pistons and rods instead of stealing them from a junkyard turbocoupe like you can with the earlier 2.3L rangers.