1989 Ranger 2.3l Stick with 30,484miles

[TheTestRider]

Hey all,

I've had an S-10 SS, an '84 Toyota and now my first Ranger. I was lucky enough, after searching for several months for a truck, to find myself a nice little Ranger. I bought it from the original owner who kept it in the garage and rarely took it out during winter months. He somehow only managed to accumulate 30k miles on it. The seat lived its life under a cover and lots of dust. I was thrilled to find it in perfect condition after nearly 26 years of living.

So far, I've put on about 1k miles with out problem. I've a short list of things hopefully this forum can help me out with once I get there, just simple routine stuff, well except the spark plug change...whoopie...totally looking forward to that, not. Anyway, I'll probably just get a new intake gasket and remove the intake to get a better angle on the plugs and while im at it maybe a little port matching/cleaning/sanding, who knows.

What kind of top speed should I expect with this 2.3L beast? So far I've seen a GPS 86mph. I was kinda hoping for a 100 on an ideal day. What do you think?

His name is George.

 

[SenorNoob]

86 MPH in a (stock) Ranger is pretty scary. (I say this having run 85 in my 4wd.) Don't expect any more. It's a Ford not a Ferrari.

 

[TheTestRider]

Update: I have seen 102mph on GPS so far as a top speed. 4th Gear.

 

[Mickey Bitsko]

Are you trying to kill it..

 

[RonD]

1989 2.3l ranger will have a 5-speed manual trans, M5OD-R1 was used from 1988 and up on 4cyl Rangers

So something fishy

No reason you couldn't top 100mph with lower ratio rear axle.
Not sure why you would want to though?

I have gone over 200mph with nothing around me but air, thousands have

 

[Mark_88]

Nice truck! I would keep it below the speed limit and make it last longer...

Fastest I ever had my Ranger was about 130 km/hr...so roughly 80 mp/h...

It was too fast for a Ranger in my opinion and driving experience...without special tires/rims and engine...the 2.3 is a good little motor...if you want to kill it you might consider pulling it out and giving it to someone who needs it...put in the race engine and be done with it...