Cheap easy mods?

[Jay_Chain]

What are some cheap easy mods I can do to my truck? Either visual or performance. I'm saving up right now to do a 302 swap somewhere down the road, what are some cool things I can do to give me a few extra HP or make it look good until then?

 

[superds]

Turbo that 2.3L. Of course, after you turboed it you probably wouldn't want to put a 302 in there.

You had a couple other threads saying it was't running. Is it running now? If not, work on that first. Also, a good tuneup can unleash a few horsepower, if it isn't running very well right now. New spark plugs, distributor cap, plug wires, etc.

After it's running good, I'd ask myself what I want from it. Do I want to take it offroad? If yes, I'd probably put a small lift on it and bigger, more aggressive tires. If it's in the budget a locker for the rear differential would be nice and give you a lot more traction.

I don't have any real good visual mod advise for you since I don't know what it looks like and I assume it's fairly stock. I think the Rangers look good stock, nice and clean looking. If it had a bunch of add ons, such as running boards or bug deflectors (I personally think neither of these add to the aesthetic or functional value of a vehicle) I would probably take those off and best of all those mods would be free! Post a picture of your Ranger and people can help you with some ideas.

 

[adsm08]

Do NOT get stick on hood scoops. Every time I see someone with stick on hood scoops I want to jump out of the truck and go punch them.

I like cab lights though. The right cab lights look nice on the Gen 1 trucks.

I think the kit cost me about $50, plus I didn't like the screws it came with so I spent about $2 on better ones.

 

[the_gunslinger]

I'd say, color match all of the trim pieces. Inside and out. As soon as I can figure out Fords paint code from this truck, ill be matching some of the interior to the red body color. Lighting is pretty easy if you're firmiliar with it. If you're into that sort of thing it can be a really eye catching mod that doesnt cost too much. Just get creative. Nothing stands out like a one of a kind mod!

 

[Jay_Chain]

I know I'm going to repaint it. I want to go with a really dark blue, like the Air Force Academy's Thunderbird uniforms, with white accents and a white grill. I'm leaning towards getting a grill guard and bed bar, and throwing some KCs on that. It's already got a 2" body lift so bigger tires are a possibility.I'm going to beef up the suspension when I do the 302 swap so I'll probably lift it a bit more then. Forgot to mention its running great except for that the key doesn't turn it over. So I can spend my time and money on cosmetic things for now. I'd add pictures but I'm new and don't know how. Here's a link to the blue, http://www.theupsetblog.com/2010/10/air-force-special-unis-love-em-or-hate.html just that base blue of the uniform with some satin white accents, and chrome Ranger badges and mirrors.

 

[Jay_Chain]

Also those cab lights look amazing! Great way to spend $50. I don't think I'll do them though because I want the KCs.

 

[adsm08]

Also those cab lights look amazing! Great way to spend $50. I don't think I'll do them though because I want the KCs.

Thanks man. I like them because they look factory, but nobody else has them.

 

[Schnot]

Window stickers are proven to add at least 20hp. Especially ones like Eddelbrock, Jegs, Summit, etc..

I like the cab lights though. I think I might add some to mine. I have an extra set of smoked ones laying on the shelf for a 99+ super duty that I think would look awesome.

 

[straycat]

Do NOT get stick on hood scoops. Every time I see someone with stick on hood scoops I want to jump out of the truck and go punch them.

I like cab lights though. The right cab lights look nice on the Gen 1 trucks.

Ahhhhhh....cab lights!!! Ahhhhhhhh...every time I see a truck with cab lights I want to get out and of my truck and puch the driver out so bad.....Ahhhhhhhhhhh



LOL

 

[Ranger Kip]

Is that a photo from my fields?

You can do a billet grill, running lights, steps, rear-end block lift, cut the fenders and add larger tires, you could probably find a push bar at a junkyard. Can try adapting different mirrors from another vehicle onto your doors, hood scoop, and one of my favorites is getting an old truck square tank and making it an auxiliary gas tank in the bed. Some more you can do is a shifter nob replacement, seat covers, dash/interior repaint, pedal covers, RPM gauge (if you don't have one), random extra gauges, etc.

For more HP or better gas mileage, change out your plugs, change all fluids, clean the jets on the carburetor if you have a 2.8, injectors if you have a 2.9, you could also dump the spare+ bracket and tailgate to lose some weight if you really wanted too.

 

[94 lngbd]

if you have any type of fender flares & want a better seal install Bushwacker fender edge trim to the flares. It helps to protect the bodys paint from wear of the slight movement of the flares, it also seals out mud & dirt from coming through. It protects freshly painted vehicles or freshly painted flares.

 

[kingston250]

Some really nice mods and i think you can do with your truck. can any one share a cheap model of trucks which i can buy?

 

[testanimal]

You have many options. I like the turbo, yet which is more cost effective? The 302 or the turbo. I am stationed in Germany and shipping makes cheap parts sometimes too expensive. If you are going to increase the power, are you planning to go over 90 MPH? Last time I checked, no state will let you drive as fast as on the certain parts of the Autobahn. I cruise at about 105 MPH when I drive home on weekends. This is made possible by using my Diablo In-Tune tuner. I also installed a AFE stage 2 cold air intake. I am putting on a Black Cat exhaust this summer. The cold air intake makes the 2.3 really growl and makes heads turn. I am currently searching for a better plug. I have read that some actually increase the HP. I do not know yet.

As for looks, I installed different headlights, a T-Rex Grill, lifted 3", had to put in an ADD-A-Leaf(I transport firewood on weekends) and have put 31x10.5 15´s on 15x8 rims. My Ranger now moves like I need it too on the Autobahn, looks good, and holds the weight I carry.

You are fortunate to be able to order in the states. Not all parts sellers ship to an APO.

Greeting from Germany

SGT VON DER GRUEN, BRUCE
HHB 5/7 ADA
Kaiserslautern, Germany

"NEVER QUIT!!!"

 

[killj0y]

You have many options. I like the turbo, yet which is more cost effective? The 302 or the turbo. I am stationed in Germany and shipping makes cheap parts sometimes too expensive. If you are going to increase the power, are you planning to go over 90 MPH? Last time I checked, no state will let you drive as fast as on the certain parts of the Autobahn. I cruise at about 105 MPH when I drive home on weekends. This is made possible by using my Diablo In-Tune tuner. I also installed a AFE stage 2 cold air intake. I am putting on a Black Cat exhaust this summer. The cold air intake makes the 2.3 really growl and makes heads turn. I am currently searching for a better plug. I have read that some actually increase the HP. I do not know yet.

As for looks, I installed different headlights, a T-Rex Grill, lifted 3", had to put in an ADD-A-Leaf(I transport firewood on weekends) and have put 31x10.5 15´s on 15x8 rims. My Ranger now moves like I need it too on the Autobahn, looks good, and holds the weight I carry.

You are fortunate to be able to order in the states. Not all parts sellers ship to an APO.

Greeting from Germany

SGT VON DER GRUEN, BRUCE
HHB 5/7 ADA
Kaiserslautern, Germany

"NEVER QUIT!!!"

The 302 will probably be more cost efficient and more power throughout the power band. Power from the get go no spooling needed. The intake and exhaust will really only help with a bigger motor. Or one that is heavily modified. The stock intake and exhaust on our vehicles is plenty. Changing to aftermarket just helps with looks and sound. Plugs will never make more horsepower, they might give you back what you should have but they will not and cannot make more power, same goes for aftermarket ignition systems.

Basically tune it up and get it running how it is meant to is the most you can do without heavy modifications, forced induction, or an engine swap.

Most bolt on well net you nothing, if they do it well be horsepower in the single digits...hardly worth the cash and effort.