What did you do to your Ranger today? (Part Deux!)

[scotts90ranger]

Took the jet boat out for the first run of the year to a local smaller river (Santiam for any locals) and it was a good time, the '00 Explorer I towed it with on the other hand... that thing needs some love, valve cover gaskets are FRIED, several exhaust leaks at the manifolds, pretty sure the pre cat oxygen sensors are done for as it was acting like it was running rich (showed by the 10.3mpg average...). I think it's time to pull the engine to fix all that, the timing cover plus make it so it will hold a passenger side motor mount and put in the headers I've had for like 5 years... The boating went well, found some rocks, the carburetor had the normal issues I expected for running it for the first time in like 8 months...

While working on things this weekend I came to the realization the rear main seal on the '98 Explorer is one of the main leaks, I thought it was valve stem seals as it never really left a mark when parked before but apparently it's everywhere (valve covers, rear main and valve stem seals)

 

[Rick W]

Took the jet boat out for the first run of the year to a local smaller river (Santiam for any locals) and it was a good time, the '00 Explorer I towed it with on the other hand... that thing needs some love, valve cover gaskets are FRIED, several exhaust leaks at the manifolds, pretty sure the pre cat oxygen sensors are done for as it was acting like it was running rich (showed by the 10.3mpg average...). I think it's time to pull the engine to fix all that, the timing cover plus make it so it will hold a passenger side motor mount and put in the headers I've had for like 5 years... The boating went well, found some rocks, the carburetor had the normal issues I expected for running it for the first time in like 8 months...

While working on things this weekend I came to the realization the rear main seal on the '98 Explorer is one of the main leaks, I thought it was valve stem seals as it never really left a mark when parked before but apparently it's everywhere (valve covers, rear main and valve stem seals)

Your driveway will always be clean if all the oil leaks out before you get home

 

[superj]

Saw a beautifully restored ranger while driving from corpus christi to fort lee virginia.

The dude repainted it a very nice military green, but not flat or satin, a normal shine green. It had an aftermarket rear bumper with a tire carrier mounted, a rack in the back with a tent on top, an aftermarket front bumper with fogs, and it looked like it had a small lift with tires.

It was beautiful. I dont think it was an 04 or newer, i think eearly 2k but maybe a late 90s. It looked like he spent some money and really took care of the truck.

 

[holyford86]

Does it count if it's registered as a trailer? I added some leaves to my 93 long bed based trailer to reduce sway while loaded, used an old chevy set that was destined for the scrap pile and spliced them in between the springs already there, it's got comically thick springs now but it sways less.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Been sick all week so far, hopefully tomorrow I’ll feel up to getting something done, the clock is starting to tick pretty loud but I have a plan. Need to clear a few things off the list then next week Monday/Tuesday will be getting a motor for the choptop, hopefully installed Wednesday, and off to JeepFest Thursday to annoy Jeep guys. Should be fun if I can pull it off…

 

[1990RangerinSK]

Been sick all week so far, hopefully tomorrow I’ll feel up to getting something done, the clock is starting to tick pretty loud but I have a plan. Need to clear a few things off the list then next week Monday/Tuesday will be getting a motor for the choptop, hopefully installed Wednesday, and off to JeepFest Thursday to annoy Jeep guys. Should be fun if I can pull it off…

Placing bets on how long *this* engine will last?

I give it a week, tops.

 

[scotts90ranger]

Not directly ranger related but I started ripping apart the F350, so much driveline! the rear has to be around 8' between the two pieces... And so gross, arms covered in goo... so far the front and rear shafts are off along with the T case skidplate, might call it a night and attack again tomorrow... slow progress is still progress...

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Placing bets on how long *this* engine will last?

I give it a week, tops.

Well, I’ll have a one month warranty on the motor this time…

Everyone said I’d blow up the FM-146 almost instantly. Instead I’ve blown apart the D-35 front and this will be #4 for the 4.0 motor in it.

If it will last long enough to get a 4.0 rebuilt for it (I’ve been talking with my engine shop), I’ll be happy enough.

For the record, I have gone through every motor so far that’s gone into it, new head gaskets and up, new water pump, etc. I’ve tried hard to make them last…

 

[Bgunner]

Changed the cap and rotor in starts of tracking down a skip I've been having.

 

[snoranger]

For the record, I have gone through every motor so far that’s gone into it, new head gaskets and up, new water pump, etc. I’ve tried hard to make them last…

Maybe that’s the problem.

 

[CrabGuy]

Took it to the dealer for 2 unaddressed airbag recalls and an alignment while it's in the shop. At freeway speeds it slowly drifts to the left if you take your hands off the wheel. The SM wrote it up as a 4 wheel alignment saying there are still things they check even on a fixed solid axle LOL

 

[stan]

Changed the spark plugs and air filter (had been 7.5 years). Plugs didn't look too bad actually. Then a new battery and replaced the rusty rear bumper. Yesterday replaced the blown passenger side marker light bulb. Most I've done to it in years...

 

[pjtoledo]

Took it to the dealer for 2 unaddressed airbag recalls and an alignment while it's in the shop. At freeway speeds it slowly drifts to the left if you take your hands off the wheel. The SM wrote it up as a 4 wheel alignment saying there are still things they check even on a fixed solid axle LOL

the rear axle being a bit mis-aligned causes the vehicle to track sideways.
the front wheels make it go where you point it, the rear wheels determine if it's actually pointed straight ahead.

 

[scotts90ranger]

My F350 crab walks AND drives straight down the road, and I have like 40k miles on the tires that have been rotated once and it only gets driven while towing... it's kinda like the posi track on a plymouth...

Speaking of the big ol bastage, I dropped the transfer case tonight, since I have a loose example of a BW 4406 and 4407 I will probably have to do a hilarious side by side comparison... it is NOT like the difference in the 1350 and 1354 we're all so used to...

 

[scotts90ranger]

I got ambitious and went back out, was able to get all 6 bellhousing bolts out of the transmission and the pinch bolt loose enough on the transfer case linkage (don't feel like adjusting it since the lever comes right out...) so tomorrow I'll be able to drop the transmission, just gotta undo the crossmember with a jack under it... already got the external slave unclipped...

It looks like a standard single weight style clutch of some form to me (that even looks in good shape annoyingly) so the Centerforce I was planning on getting should be just fine... will decide later if I want to get a new flywheel or get this one machined...

I'd be in more of a hurry but I do have a month and don't want to rush it but time is running out... the wife would NOT be happy if we had to jump in an explorer and tent camp in the high desert for our planned week vacation