- Joined
- Oct 7, 2010
- Messages
- 230
- Reaction score
- 22
- Points
- 0
- Location
- NH
- Vehicle Year
- 1988/2003
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Engine Size
- 2.9L/4.0SOHC
- Transmission
- Manual
I have recently gotten in to fast track mud drag racing with my 03 fx4 ranger. For an almost stock truck it does real well, but I am looking for ways to improve on my times. This is a 300ft drag, and I do it in 4low for max power and acceleration. I have yet to find the red line in 4th gear, so high end is not an issue. The way i look at it I have three basic options. Re gear the axles, find a way to get a lower range T case, or motor work.
If it can be done re-gearing the T case, or buying one with a lower gear ratio in 4 low seams like the best option. I looked in the tech section and did not see anything about being able to re-gear it, or any suggested T case replacements. But if I am missing something please clue me in because doing it this way would help my racing a ton without any negative effects on street driving or gas mileage.
Then there is re-gearing my axles. I could be wrong, but it just does not seem to make sense to do this. I currently have 4.10s and 33" tires. To me it does not seem cost effective to go from 4.10 to 4.56, and 4.88s worry me for several reasons. I could be wrong, but i think that this is too deep of a gear for the front end. When I re-geared my B2 to 4.56 the pinion gear in the front was tiny, plus with the ring rear so thick we has to shave down one of the pins in my carrier to be able to put it back together. Also 4.88 and 33's seems steep as hell for street driving, and would likely do a number on my MPG's. Am I wrong about the 4.56 not being worth it, or the 4.88's opening me up for issues?
Lastly the motor stuff. I am not a mechanic and i don't play one on TV, so ripping my motor apart really is not an option, leaving me with "bolt on" options. Intakes, exhaust, and computer chips just seem like gimmicks to me.
They all claim to give big hp gains, but most guys who have them seem to say they ether got little or nothing out of them. The two things I have looked at that seem promising are an electric "super charger" that I saw advertised on hear. http://www.superchargertuning.com/Ford/Ranger/ . And or Nitrous. I know nitrous is the best bang for my buck, and at some point I do plan on adding it to my ranger, but I can only use it in one of the two classes I race in, so it can not be the only thing i do.
Last thing I have thought of doing is dropping my race tires from 33" to 31" but this could be a catch 22. some times the drag lanes can get rutted up, and if I am dragging frame I am screwed.
Sorry for the long read. I just wanted to give you all the info I could to make it so you can give me the best possible advice. Also so none of you would think that I expect you to do my research for me. Thanks for taking the time to read.
If it can be done re-gearing the T case, or buying one with a lower gear ratio in 4 low seams like the best option. I looked in the tech section and did not see anything about being able to re-gear it, or any suggested T case replacements. But if I am missing something please clue me in because doing it this way would help my racing a ton without any negative effects on street driving or gas mileage.
Then there is re-gearing my axles. I could be wrong, but it just does not seem to make sense to do this. I currently have 4.10s and 33" tires. To me it does not seem cost effective to go from 4.10 to 4.56, and 4.88s worry me for several reasons. I could be wrong, but i think that this is too deep of a gear for the front end. When I re-geared my B2 to 4.56 the pinion gear in the front was tiny, plus with the ring rear so thick we has to shave down one of the pins in my carrier to be able to put it back together. Also 4.88 and 33's seems steep as hell for street driving, and would likely do a number on my MPG's. Am I wrong about the 4.56 not being worth it, or the 4.88's opening me up for issues?
Lastly the motor stuff. I am not a mechanic and i don't play one on TV, so ripping my motor apart really is not an option, leaving me with "bolt on" options. Intakes, exhaust, and computer chips just seem like gimmicks to me.
They all claim to give big hp gains, but most guys who have them seem to say they ether got little or nothing out of them. The two things I have looked at that seem promising are an electric "super charger" that I saw advertised on hear. http://www.superchargertuning.com/Ford/Ranger/ . And or Nitrous. I know nitrous is the best bang for my buck, and at some point I do plan on adding it to my ranger, but I can only use it in one of the two classes I race in, so it can not be the only thing i do.
Last thing I have thought of doing is dropping my race tires from 33" to 31" but this could be a catch 22. some times the drag lanes can get rutted up, and if I am dragging frame I am screwed.
Sorry for the long read. I just wanted to give you all the info I could to make it so you can give me the best possible advice. Also so none of you would think that I expect you to do my research for me. Thanks for taking the time to read.
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