Service/Parts Recommendations

[MastuhWaffles]

Woah a post from me? Yes I am still alive and so is my truck! Even though I own a Hellcat now I still have my truck for daily commuting etc.
Well time goes fast and sure enough this damn thing is already 17 years old and I've had it since I was 16. And yet, it still only has 153k miles on it. The body is kinda getting rough but someday it will all be fiberglass anyways.
I am planning on taking it on a trip to Colorado so I figured it was a time to kinda do a thorough inspection and see what's going on.

So I do regular service on it, oil changes etc so overall it still runs amazing and gets me to where I need to go.
Some things I've already done, I changed all the ATF fluid in the transmission and new filter, I've done spark plugs belt etc, finally got around and serviced the AC system with some new cool juice, I've also put new caster bolts in as well. All the fluids still look good and it has newer coolant from when my thermostat housing exploded. The batterys got probably another year left before the Texas heat nukes it.
However it appears the front end is in need of new parts (again). Both boots on the upper control arms are toaster strudel, I have replaced them in the past but as a poor CFI I just used some ebayesium ones and you know what they did the job for the time. Same goes for the tie rod ends, they are the ebay special and cooked as well. The sway bar end link bushings are also crispy so its time for new end links too.

Being that I can actually put some better kit on it, any brand or recommendations for some of this stuff? I've seen a Moog kit that has most of what I need. Any other service recommendations just based on age alone I should look at?

 

[Uncle Gump]

Hydraulic timing chain tensioners would be on the top of my list.

I looked for motorcraft lower control arms recently. The ones I found on ebay just gave me a bad feeling and passed. I settled in on Moog. According to the description... they're made in the USA.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Look for the motorcraft tensioners... they're out there. I just bought a pair for my truck.

There are many companies offering these... but I'm not trusting a cheap knock off.

 

[MastuhWaffles]

Hydraulic timing chain tensioners would be on the top of my list.

I looked for motorcraft lower control arms recently. The ones I found on ebay just gave me a bad feeling and passed. I settled in on Moog. According to the description... they're made in the USA.

I assume that's a big job? I can probably read on it in the tech library.

 

[Uncle Gump]

It's not bad... passenger side is easy.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Tensioners aren’t terrible. I did them on mom’s 02 Explorer. Other than a mishap when I was priming them where I launched a spray of oil in a 20’ diameter circle, including soaking myself and spraying my dad who was assisting.

 

[MastuhWaffles]

Tensioners aren’t terrible. I did them on mom’s 02 Explorer. Other than a mishap when I was priming them where I launched a spray of oil in a 20’ diameter circle, including soaking myself and spraying my dad who was assisting.

Ill look into it, probably a good job when I get back from my colorado trip, though suspension is going to be critical first.

 

[MastuhWaffles]

I went ahead and ordered the Moog kit, lower ball joints, upper control arms, sway bar end links and tie rod ends.

 

[MastuhWaffles]

Went over to my parents dad and I changed it all out. Alignments kinda wonky but I was able to drive home and get the suspension settled in so hopefully when I get an alignment its all good.

 

[MastuhWaffles]

So it did the drive to colorado and back just fine. I got it aligned and apparently I need new caster bolts? I didn't even think that was a think but he said the bolts holding in the lower control arm do caster and need to be replaced. I'm a little confused and I tried to look for them and I can't find those.

I also will probably do new shocks its about time to replace them.

In colorado a rat got into my truck under the bed and the dogs went crazy and broke the axle vent tube and snapped the ABS wire to the rear axle so that had to be spliced back together.

 

[MaicoDoug]

The caster is adjusted and held by the upper A arm bolts. Can't help with the rat problem, sounds like Denver??

MOOG has what you need

 

[Uncle Gump]

I bought Moog bolts on Amazon...

MOOG K80065 Alignment Caster / Camber Kit for Ford Ranger https://a.co/d/ewkY5Jm

 

[pjtoledo]

my 2005 2wd has an elongated hole for the driver side lower control arm, forward position. it's from the factory that way.
there is nothing special about that bolt.
don't remember if the pass side had the adjustment hole.

 

[MaicoDoug]

I put some 4wd adjusters in my 1983 2wd long bed 5sp just to enjoy the 2 degrees negative camber on high speed turns with high speed "V" rated tires. This was when pick up truck racing was brand new and me with 8" wide 15s black wheels. Used to give Porsches a hard time on Hwy 9 on the way to the coast. Dang that stock 2.8 was really fast. That's when I first fell in love with my Ranger. Yes it was RED! I'll have to post a picture if I can find one.

 

[MastuhWaffles]

The caster is adjusted and held by the upper A arm bolts. Can't help with the rat problem, sounds like Denver??

MOOG has what you need
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View attachment 117612

So I mentioned that and they said thats not it but mine are the factory ones with the square blocks.