2.3L ('83-'97) 2.3 n/a upgrades

[Blmpkn]

Going from 3.73 to 4.11 gear is a +300 rpm difference while cruising at 65mph. It's not a massive difference but you would notice it. the truck would feel a little snappier overall.

It's a big job for the home mechanic though, requires precision tools and a lot of finesse. I wouldn't recommend doing it yourself. Shop around with local garages to see what they'd want for labor. It won't be a cheap job but certainly not overly expensive either.

 

[EnzoSZ]

Going from 3.73 to 4.11 gear is a +300 rpm difference while cruising at 65mph. It's not a massive difference but you would notice it. the truck would feel a little snappier overall.

It's a big job for the home mechanic though, requires precision tools and a lot of finesse. I wouldn't recommend doing it yourself. Shop around with local garages to see what they'd want for labor. It won't be a cheap job but certainly not overly expensive either.

Does any higher ratio over 4.10 can be interesting for a daily use?
I started to look at how to do it, it does not seem to be that hard, it's more about the mesuring tools which seem to be specific. I don't think the mechanics around me could have the tools. In france, first we ave more FWD, and second, swapping gear is not that much prevalent.
As I've studied and worked in mecanic of precision, it does not scare me to do it ^^

I'm not sure you can have the answer, but do you know if the EU Ranger (arrived in 2003 in france I guess) have the same rear axle? Or any Mazda B-serie who can have a rear axle that fit my 1995 Ranger?

Thanks

 

[Blmpkn]

How tall are your tires? And how much highway driving do you do?

 

[EnzoSZ]

How tall are your tires? And how much highway driving do you do?

Actually got 205/70/15 so 26" tires, and I don't do a lot of highway, almost not at all. I live in the mountain

 

[Blmpkn]

Your truck makes peak torque surprisingly low in the revs for a 4 banger, 2300 rpm. If it were me, I'd go with 4.11s and just rev it out a bit more.

4.56 is the next step lower, but for the small tire I think it would be TOO low.

You could go with the 4.56 gear AND put taller tires on it to kinda split the difference..

 

[EnzoSZ]

What you mean by "rev"?
And any idea about the EU ranger or Mazda axle?

 

[Curious Hound]

What you mean by "rev"?

Operate the engine at higher rpm’s/revolutions. By changing to 4.10 gears, or by shifting later, you keep the engine operating closer to its peak hp and torque.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Amr500 blower on ebay. 2-3 psi means minimal tuning and no forged guts needed. If you want to get crazy.

Otherwise, 4.10 gears, you cannot go wrong.

 

[Blmpkn]

What you mean by "rev"?
And any idea about the EU ranger or Mazda axle?

The axles may be the same, I don't see any good reason as to why they would NOT be, but who knows. Your best bet there is to find an EU ranger in the wild and take a look.. Mabey some measurements.

 

[19Walt93]

Going from 3.73 to 4.10 is a 9% difference and would definitely be noticeable. When discussing rear end gears: a higher ratio is a lower number and a lower ratio is a higher number. I think that came from the distant past because a lower numerical gear would make the top speed higher.If you know how to check piston to valve clearance, are willing to tear into the engine, and can stand having to run higher octane fuel, 2.3's can stand- if I remember right- shaving .030" off the head and it will boost the compression significantly. The intake manifold pictured would help high rpms at the expense of low rpm power. If you want to run a staged two barrel like the 5200 Pinto's and Mustang II's used, I'd find an adapter to bolt it onto your existing manifold.

 

[RangerDander Allgood]

Looking for the best cylinder head swap for my 2.0l Lima I was thinking a 2.3 or 2.5 head if possible just trying to find out what is best for flow

 

[scotts90ranger]

For head flow the newer the better but it kills other options depending on what you are trying to do... any head newer than '89 requires the intake manifold it came with and all of those intakes are in the way of a distributor if that's in your plans and none of them make it super easy to use a carburetor if you are planning to stay that way...

You can get a decent improvement just hogging things out with a die grinder to smooth flow

 

[Keaton]

That can lead to a whole lot more problems. If you still have the stock carbureted Ranger cylinder head it has round intake ports. Pintos will have oval ports and early '80s cars and 4-plug efi Rangers have D shaped ports. Cannon makes an intake for round port Rangers but it isn't cheap.View attachment 38271

I bought this one for my ranger build. Please inform me what the heck the extra back opening is???