Swedish Ranger

[45-70]

Hey guys!
Got myself an old -88 Ranger STX extended cab. I was gonna use it for hunting, which for me is some rough use (pulling out moose from the deep woods, offroading, dirty and wet dogs in cab, bloody and gunky clothes etc). But a closer inspection and a couple weeks daily use the ol car grows on me.
It turnes out there is only 38 gen 1 Rangers in Sweden, and mine is completely stock. It even has the sticker under the vent knob saying "Note: for derfrost..." and "pull to remove" lol
So, I started a little to fix her up. Im still gonna use her hunting, but gentler No fender cuttings and weld on bumpers just yet...

I miss one of the STX chrome emblems in the back. Anyone knows where to get one?

 

[Ranger850]

Very nice truck. I personally have never seen that STX emblem on a Ranger, but I also haven't come across that many 1st gen STX trucks.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Very cool!

It appears to be in fairly good shape too. The biggest thing I can tell you is to take care of the cooling system. Those 2.9L's don't like to get warm. They don't get much love here because of it... but they can be made into a beast if you're willing to go that far with it.

Lots of information on the site on your truck... be sure to check out the Tech Library for hours of reading.

Welcome to TRS...

 

[45-70]

Very cool!

It appears to be in fairly good shape too. The biggest thing I can tell you is to take care of the cooling system. Those 2.9L's don't like to get warm. They don't get much love here because of it... but they can be made into a beast if you're willing to go that far with it.

Lots of information on the site on your truck... be sure to check out the Tech Library for hours of reading.

Welcome to TRS...

Thanx!
Yeah, Ive ben reading alot already
This site and forum is invaluable!!

But... what motor oil du you use? The stuff recomended is not on the market here. Any quality semi synthetic 10-40 ok?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Welcome from a fellow first gen owner in a Swedish settlement in Iowa!

10w-40 would probably be ok, I think it generally calls for 10W-30 though.

 

[ericbphoto]

 

[45-70]

Welcome from a fellow first gen owner in a Swedish settlement in Iowa!

10w-40 would probably be ok, I think it generally calls for 10W-30 though.

Hey, cool! Ive ben hasting through a bit of Iowa on a harley, bordering illinoi and wisconsine. Lots of swedish named little towns in that area I remember.

Semi synth is getting tough to come by here, and off the shelves only 10-w40 for some reason. I could order 10-30 or 5-30 though, but figured an old worn engine wouldn't do too bad on a little stouter beer

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

History - City of Stanton, Iowa

Stanton began as the convergence of a railroad’s need with the hope of a young Sweden-born pastor to start a new settlement for his fellow immigrants. This

www.stantoniowa.com

Semi synthetic 10w-40 should be fine, if in doubt there should be a chart in your owners manual.

 

[sgtsandman]

 

[gw33gp]

I ran 20W-50 synthetic Valvoline in my 89 STX since it first oil change after I bought it new. I live in Southern California and towed across hot deserts a lot. It still ran great and used no more oil than it did when it was new when I sold it with almost 200K miles on it. The only issue I had using that grade oil is when I went to the mountains in the Winter and let it sit overnight. It would crank slow while starting it but it would still fire up. I would let it warm up some before driving it.

I know it gets cold in Sweden so 20W-50 is probably to viscous for that weather but 10W-40 or any lower grade should be fine. It would be hesitant careful about using 5W-30 with that many miles on the engine though.

 

[Dirtman]

0w40!

 

[45-70]

I ran 20W-50 synthetic Valvoline in my 89 STX since it first oil change after I bought it new. I live in Southern California and towed across hot deserts a lot. It still ran great and used no more oil than it did when it was new when I sold it with almost 200K miles on it. The only issue I had using that grade oil is when I went to the mountains in the Winter and let it sit overnight. It would crank slow while starting it but it would still fire up. I would let it warm up some before driving it.

I know it gets cold in Sweden so 20W-50 is probably to viscous for that weather but 10W-40 or any lower grade should be fine. It would be hesitant careful about using 5W-30 with that many miles on the engine though.

Yeah, that sounds quite reasonable. Thanx!
I have an electric engine heater installed (very comon in sweden) and a heated garage, so it won’t be many cold starts anyway.
Mine has done 150k and after driving about 7-800 miles now I can’t see any change on the dipstick yet.

 

[Dirtman]

0w40 is popular in colder European climates. It works great in extreme cold but just as thick as normal 10w40 when warmed up. It is typically more expensive than conventional 10w40 though.