2011 Ranger XLT 4X4 - "Business Casual"

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Will update a more complete version of intro. But for now:


I promised myself I wouldn't do a build thread for the 2011 I just picked up.



I failed.



So. KaP was not going to make it through another winter - rust issues have advanced to the point of necessitating a frame swap and rotisserie restoration of whats left of the cab (restoring the cab to keep my VIN). I had two failed attempts with a winter beater, a 2000 Accord (borderline unreliable) and a 2011 F350 6.2 (unreliable, semi-undrivable, and single digit fuel economy with a 80 mile commute 7 days a week). My work needs are changing, and I was in need of something in good cosmetic shape as I'm visiting client offices now.

My 88 Ranger is my favorite vehicle I've ever owned, so it finally occurred to me to go back to basics - get a ranger, dummy. At this point, I've become familiar enough with the fourth gen trucks from reading on here to be comfortable with their strengths and weaknesses, and i tend to love the RBV platform on the whole. Besides, they're one of the last remaining manual transmission trucks on the market within my budget, and a manual transmission is a requirement for me. So, a 4th gen ranger made the most sense.

It was a close call in the end, though. The Ranger won out against an AWD Mini Cooper Clubman JCW.

Sometimes I really, really regret not going with the Mini. Oh well.



Went through hell finding what I wanted, but settled on a truck I passed over at first. Picked up a 2011 XLT 4.0 SOHC 4wd. Black, CLEAN little truck. Lots of things on it that I love, a few things that are just awful. Like the seats. I swear I feel my prostate enlarge three sizes every single time I drive this thing...




I promised myself I wouldn't **** with it, and would keep it stock.



I failed again.



Since this is a work vehicle, and has to stay nice, I'm keeping things to a minimum. Modifications are going to strictly stay towards a nicely apportioned 4wd street truck with trail and off road capabilities, and a very mild build overall.

The end goal is for something that's not flashy or Technicolor paint and rust, but when driven is superior to a stock truck in every major way. All modifications are focused on improving the major weak points of the gen 4 design - power, handling, traction, ride quality, and comfort.



The name "Business Casual" seemed appropriate.





Edit: June 2020

So far, I'm happy with the gen 4 Ranger. Though, in my opinion, they do not hold a candle to the first gen Rangers.

One strong point of contention is that the 4.0 SOHC is a MAJOR disappointment in my eyes, especially when compared to the pushrod Cologne engines.

Side by side comparison to my 2.9 with a blown cam and on 31s, the SOHC is an inferior mill in terms of torque - the engine is essentially a lump until you hit the 3500+ rpm range, and even then, it feels sickly. Granted, I'm biased in my opinion, as I generally see SOHC engines as a monument to compromise existing between an OHV and DOHC design. It would have been interesting to see VVT implemented in these engines - more than likely would have saved them. But.... no VVT for this V6, so it remains a pile of crap.

As a result, an engine swap is not off the table with this truck, especially considering the availability of modern powerplants that are widely available in junkyards for under $1000. Swap candidates as of now are 2.3 Duratec with the addition of a turbocharger, the 2.3 ecoBoost, and the Mopar Pentastar V6.

I'm leaning strongly towards the 2.3 Duratec Turbo, as they can be sourced anywhere for under $500, take to turbocharging beautifully, and are easy to convert back to a 4wd transmission. Time will tell, and the fuel economy after the Banshee install will determine whether a swap will be happening.

The 2.3 EB.... So, normally I would see the EB as the ideal swap candidate. BUT, it is GDI. And this hombre don't truck with GDI. So, EB is out.

The Pentastar would be a dream swap, as they are a heavy hitting V6 in stock form, and would let me change out the grille and tailgate emblems to a set of Ram's heads. You know, exactly as the gods intended there to be on every pickup. When supercharged, they run in excess of 400 rwhp with a good tune and a few other supporting mods. But... a swap such as that would require entirely too much fabrication work for my tastes.

Maybe.

I wonder if a 5.7 Hemi would fit.....








To Do:

Headers
Exhaust
Banshee supercharger
Finish ARE Cap
Line X bedliner
FX4 Center console
Intercooler
Water/methanol injection
Focus/better seats
Eaton Detroit TrueTrac lockers - front and rear
Double Din



Open to suggestions, but to me, that seems like a button down and Duluth khakais kind of truck.




Done:

Engine:
SCT X4 Tuner, 5 Star custom tunes - 87 Power, 91 Power, 87 Fuel Economy, 91 Fuel Economy
AFE intake - No matter what I do, I cannot get this pile-o-crap to work, so factory MAF housing on AFE filter it is.
Accel coil pack
Catch Can
Kemso 340 lph fuel pump
Mishimoto Thermostatic Oil Cooler
Cloyes Cam Chain Tensioners


Accessories:
LED headlights
Fog light conversion to second set of headlights
Stubby antenna
Front mudflaps from 2001 Ranger
DIY Hitch Plug floodlight (wired to reverse lights)
Pioneer 350 watt speakers
Center bench cupholders


Suspension:
Bilstien 4600 monotube shocks
Moog front sway bar links & poly bushings
2wd Bronco II Rear Sway Bar & poly bushings
Extended sway bar links
#1 Torsion Bars
1750# leaf springs
Rough Country leveling keys
1" shackle lift
Duff Traction Bars
2004 FX4 16" Rims
245/75/R15 tires


Driveline:
1994? Limited Slip carrier with Mustang Track Lock Clutch Discs
Mustang Vented diff cover
Perfection Heavy Duty Kevlar clutch
Aluminum Master and Slave Cylinder
Core Shifter (Hurst Clone)

 

[snoranger]

keeping things to a minimum.


To Do:

Banshee supercharger

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

View attachment 36854

I actually cracked up over this. Good one ?

I consider it "minimum" due to no fabrication work needed

Save for the raw cast plenum they sent. A machine shop offered to "finish" it for $600

"Finishing" work in this case is drilling 10 holes and sanding the flanges flat.

I hate machine shops.

The banshee kits are on clearance on eBay. Get you one!

 

[Grumpaw]

It's hard to keep from messing with these trucks, especially when you find a clean/pristine rig. When I got my low mileage 2009 I vowed to keep it stock, but that vow only lasted a few weeks.
Can't believe it's been almost a year, and I look at the receipts I have accumulated and just am amazed at what one can spend on a "few mods".
Enjoy your new truck, and the "minimum" things your going to do to it.
If your interested in paperwork, and your 2011 didn't come with the window sticker, go to Monroney Lables. You enter your trucks info and vin, and they provide the original window sticker
in a printable form. Cost is around 8 bucks. Did mine and the OE sticker shows all the info, stock and options it came with, even incentives at the time.

Grumpaw

 

[Ramcharger90]

Why spend the money on a hurst when you can make your own shifter lever with a white or black knob.

http://imgur.com/a/yyW6voN

Also you forgot the 5.0

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Why spend the money on a hurst when you can make your own shifter lever with a white or black knob.

http://imgur.com/a/yyW6voN

Also you forgot the 5.0

Where did you get that?

Also, what is the doom buggy on the left?

 

[Grumpaw]

Why spend the money on a hurst when you can make your own shifter lever with a white or black knob.

http://imgur.com/a/yyW6voN

Also you forgot the 5.0

But it doesn't have "Hurst" on it. That alone is worth at least 10 hp.

Grumpaw

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Where did you get that?

Also, what is the doom buggy on the left?

Core shifters also makes M5OD shifters with Hurst levers, not sure how they compare pricewise with a regular Hurst though.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Core shifters also makes M5OD shifters with Hurst levers, not sure how they compare pricewise with a regular Hurst though.

About $100 cheaper. No.idea what the difference between the two are, though.

 

[Ramcharger90]

Where did you get that?

Also, what is the doom buggy on the left?

I made that. It was a bolt and a piece of flat stock from tractor supply.

Thats a 2.3L mustang dirt track car raced at Linda's speedway. I forget what class it is though.

 

[sgtsandman]

I can't judge since I can't leave mine stock either. So many plans, so little money...

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Re-worked a junkyard shifter into this. Good enough until I get a Hurst. Was getting tired of leaning over the steering wheel to grab third and fifth.

 

[DRanger024]

I built my stick out of Ranger and Dakota parts. Ranger base bolts to the factory stub and the stick itself is from a Dakota. Knob threads onto a 3/8-16 set screw. Best pic I have at the moment.

 

[Saddle Tramp]

Made with Yooper Steel from the mines of Iron Mountain. ?

 

[ExploreNW]

Hey! 5-8 PSI classifies as "minimum"

A Turbo might be even cheaper & whistles at everyone behind you. The local auto mart has turbos in the $325-500 range with blowoffs attached. Special new kinds of Chinesium from the Chairman himself's private reserve.