1998 Ranger XLT 4x4

[Toms01PSD]

Well guys, it was way too hot in my little mountain town to get any work done on the truck. As soon as it cools down I'l get right back at it. Here's a little easter egg for you all, for no specific reason... does anyone now a good company to get an affordable 3" body lift from and a 1-2" T-case drop to keep pinion reasonable. Thanks crew!

T-case drop? If you're doing a BODY LIFT, the only thing being lifted is the BODY. Performance accessories has a good body lift kit.
Take a looksie here:http://www.trsfabandoffroad.com/

 

[Toms01PSD]

Thanks for the words guys! I'll be putting on a the new fuel filter on Friday and the Ranchos will go on either Friday or Saturday, weather permitting of course. I'm going to keep this thread updated with the maintenance I do on this thing, keep it a good reference point for people looking to change shocks and such. I'm thinking of building an exhaust too so keep watching.

Hopefully you don't have the original shocks like I do. Here's what I had to do to get the nuts off:

 

[MountainMike]

Yeah Tom I had a brain fart there, I thought it was one of the weird still 4x4's with the T-Case mounted to the tunnel. Like I said, 'Brain Fart' lol. As for the shocks I think I'm gonna have to do that, I bought a can of Liquid Wrench and another of WD!

 

[Toms01PSD]

The passenger side came off after about 20 minutes with the correct wrench. When I got to the drivers side it was coming off and then one slip and I busted my knuckles and rounded off the head. If you have the original shocks, the top nut that the vise-grips are on in my pic is a 13mm wrench. The wrench holding the lower nut is 18mm if I remember correctly. If not it's a 15mm. The two nuts on the lower shock mount are 12 or 13mm aswell.

 

[fangotango306]

its easier just to use a sawzall and cut the nut and all off thats what i did on mine lol.

 

[Toms01PSD]

its easier just to use a sawzall and cut the nut and all off thats what i did on mine lol.

This is true. However, one slip and say good bye to your brake lines. It was a good work out too.

 

[MountainMike]

Alright guys I need your help. I was out booking it down a lake road when I heard a big bang from under my truck. Me and my buddy immediately stopped and pulled over and looked under the truck. Nothing looked damaged so I think I just picked up a big rock and it smacked the under carriage. The only problem is now my 4x4 indicator lights blink about 5 times every couple minutes and the truck is stuck in 2WD (atleast it's not 4LO lol). I heard that is just a general 4x4 failure, and sometimes sudden thuds make the electric t-case forget what range it is in. I also heard that unhooking the battery and letting the computer reset will fix it. Please tell me this will work, I think it happened to my buddy that gave me the radiator shroud and that is all he did. Please help guys! I'm already missing 4x4 and it's been like an hour.

Thanks,
-Mike

 

[WNY964x4]

the blinking sounds like the wiring at the electric t-case motor came undone , or else the t-case motor blew apart and thar was your bang

 

[Toms01PSD]

No idea what the hell happened. I've never had issues with my 4x4. Check your CVs? Maybe try unhooking the battery like you said and see if that works.

 

[MountainMike]

Looks like it could either be the fuse or the computer shat a brick.
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100
http://216.198.221.184/forums/showthread.php?t=203590
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Have_2000...nto_4_wheel_what_can_be_done_to_fix_or_repair

I'm going to check the conectors an unhook th battery tomorrow morning. Hope this works.

 

[MountainMike]

As for as blowing something apart I'm sure it was just a rock. The road I was on is relatively maintained press gravel. It leads out to the sewage lagoon so it is smooth enough for honeywagons. I walked back behind the truck about 100 feet and I saw no metal bits just a bunch of rocks. Aside from not shifting into 4x4 the truck made no abnormal sounds, shakes or rattles. Something like this happened a while when I bumped into a curb pretty hard but it fixed itself when I parked the truck for a while. Wishing myself luck for tomorrow.

 

[MountainMike]

Well guys bad news. I reconnected the battery and the lights are still flashing. I checked the 4x4 fuse and it is good. I have bit the bullet and the '98 is going in to have a little check-up at the Ford dealership. The soonest they could get me in is the 14th. Luckily it freaked out in 2WD and is stuck there so I still have a daily driver. I'll let you know how this all pans out.

 

[Toms01PSD]

Did you even read the first link you posted above? Why don't you try checking the fuse as stated before blowing all that money to take it to the dealer?

I read the repair manual carefully and realized that there is another "FUSE" under the hood in the power distributor box! I pulled out this 20A fuse and checked it and sure enough it was blown! I didn't have the excalt fuse, but replaced with a 15A and turned on the ignition and WHOALA! The lights are gone and I shift to the 4Hi and see the light came on!

I would highly suggest paying $5 for a fuse if that's the issue than $100 just to have it looked at. Out of warranty you're looking at big bucks just to diagnose an electrical problem.

 

[Kona]

Hmmn he posted yesterday that the soonest the dealer could see it is the .......18th probably (not for sure but still) of August 09 .

 

[MountainMike]

Did you even read the first link you posted above? Why don't you try checking the fuse as stated before blowing all that money to take it to the dealer?

Tom, did you read the post above yours? I stated right in it that I checked the fuse in the power distrubution box and it was good. Of course I tried everything I could before I phoned the dealer.