Hello from Los Angeles

[mike310]

I just picked up a 2009 XL 2.3L, shes really cool. The turd dealer I bought her from left me some good work though so I'm here for some help. I come from the FSB community so I have some good Ford service years under my belt. Cheers!

 

[SenorNoob]

Welcome to TRS! Whatcha having problems with?

 

[rumblecloud]

I think he's having problems posting pics...

Welcome to TRS.

 

[mike310]

Its true, I need some better pics, the 09 XL has that 3 wheel problem and I'm planning to meet a guy on market place today for a set of 4 15x8's.
I suppose my biggest problem is the shift indicator. Geeez I'm tempted to take it to a shop but man thats the worst. I did see a youtube video that I guy was able to get at it without tearing off the dash. I did all new fluids yesterday and the heater doesnt seem to be working. I'm not so experianced with a sealed cooling system. I'm going to run the motor with the cap off and see if it will burp a bit. There was no oil in the trans so I added a qt last night and I'm excited to see if that improves the level at all. I'm gearing up to drop the trans pan and get it fresh. I have done this a few times on my 95 5.8L 351w (e40d) so I have a good idea of this process. Any advice you guys got let me know. Thank you for the warm welcome and I'll get some pics up in the next day or two!

 

[pjtoledo]

the cooling system is self-burping.
do the hoses get hot? flushed the heater core?

the entire steering column is easy to drop.
HOWEVER, the 4 mounting bolts are special and designed to break off VERY EASILY.
be careful when tightening them., inch pounds not foot pounds.

 

[rumblecloud]

I think you can reverse the heater core hoses -- but flushing it is a better route to get all the crap out.

 

[MaicoDoug]

I miss that town, with overcast days in the summer clearing at noon. Used to live in the west valley.

The blower fan & speed resistors will need changing soon if not now. Possibly a new "pigtail" for the resistors (stocked at the auto parts store). For posting pics I simply copy & paste.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Welcome! I am in the San Fernando Valley. Got a bunch of spare parts but mines a 4.0 ohv 5 spd.

Idk of any decent shops in LA, but there a few in Burbank I grew up around that are still there 25 years later. Burbank Radiator is where I get core flush done.

I was having a burping issue and spliced in a shraeder valve in the heater core hose, solved the problem.

I had an 85 OJ bronco, had the 351W and C6 trans. Sold it to my buddy after high school back in y2k. I heard its still in the neighborhood and for sale, might try to buy it back one of these days...

 

[mike310]

Hey all! I am back with updates! First, here is some pics of the Ranger (XL?)

2009
2.3L
2wd
122,000 miles

She is a fine machine!

It has a bit of a ticking / knocking sound that isnt optimal but I'll get to it.

The light on top is hilarious. They drilled through the center off the roof so what am I going to remove it and have wires up there? I'm thinking I'll replace with something similar but like a single becon unit. Orange.

I got the Forscan USB adapter to help with a CEL code. I imagine there is better software than the one I'm using. I'll need to learn more about that.

So far I have:

Changed the Oil + Filter
Changed the coolant (was water)
Added 1qt to transmission
New Air filter
Replaced PSP / Fresh Steering juice (CEL Code)
Cleaned all electrical grounds I could find.

New wheels and tires
Installed spare tire

I also changed out the head lights today, much improved:

Engine is running good and the transmission is transmitting.
AC blows cold and Heat is HOT. Dummy temp gauge is working OK.

I'm going to change the trans oil soon. I am familiar with the whole drop the pan procedure. How much ATF should I buy?

The big issue right now is the suspension. Every bushing and gromet is toast. I saw a vid with a guy replacing the wishbone stuff up front and was I right to assume those bushing are pressed in? That would mean that I cannot replace the just the bushing yea?
Let me know what you guys think. I'm going to throw some shocks on her but I stongly feel that she'll continue to be a bucket of bolts until I replace all the bushings. I have never done tie rod bushings before. I hate the idea of taking her to a shop. What do you guys think?
Here is some pics of the bushing or lack of carnage, shes a clanky girl!

I have the time and the tools to swap these out, but man I'm not a suspension pro by any means.

Thanks again for the warm welcome and advice!


Happy Holidays!

 

[pjtoledo]

all those are easily swapped.
get new upper upper arms, they come with bushings & ball joint. check the lowers.
you can get new bushings for the lowers but it's easier to get new with new bushings & ball joint already installed.
tie rods, easy. inner tie rods ok, not as easy.
don't over tighten the sway bar end link bushings.

when ordering specify for coil springs, the parts for 4wd & torsion bar look similar but will not fit.

 

[MaicoDoug]

I rebuilt my entire front end in a couple days. Got the lower A arms new with the ball joints already installed. Even new CV axles w/ boots. Worth the BIG kick in the pants because she drives like a dream now. Down the center of the road mind you! I did a coilover mod on my 07, no more torsion bars. Total cost not including the shocks & new CV axles came in about $250. From this place. Survived about 20kmi so far including some crazy off roading. So far, so good.