2.3t long haul trailering

[Turbroke]

For y'all who helped me out with my swap; thanks again. All of the kinks are finally worked out now. The truck runs great and is a blast! What are your thoughts on towing with a 1990, 5 speed turboranger? I saw the old towing thread on this forum, but my situation is a little different. I want to take it from east TN to southern OR this summer. Here's my load plan. Wife, 90lb dog, gear/clothes/supplies in truck with aluminum camper cap (Apx. 1000 pounds) towing a lightweight, 4'x8' utility trailer with my Harley on it. (Apx. 1300 pounds combined) I'll take the southern route (Rt.40W) to avoid all that high desert mountain climbing, and of course, avoid constant boost conditions. Running stock 2.3t/LA3/IHI turbo, no intercooler, stainless header, 2.25" pipe no cat, thrush turbo muffler and stock tranny/rear end. Piece of cake, right? My only concern is the small, stock radiator. It's brand new though.

 

[RangerSVT]

If you have the stock turbo block with forged internals, you'll be fine, even under long and high boost conditions. I will highly suggest when you stop for fuel and breaks that you let the engine idle for at least one minute (longer for recent high boost levels) before you shut the engine off. This is to cool the turbo and not cook the oil in the turbo...

SVT

 

[Turbroke]

Great, that really makes a lot of sense to cool the turbo like that. The load I'm hauling wouldn't be too over the top for a stock 2.3 Ranger, but I remember Ford recommending I tow absolutely nothing with my 88' Turbo Coupe. No real explanation, just a "don't do it". Thanks.

 

[RangerSVT]

Its not the load that will cause high boost levels (at cruising speeds you should be at little to no boost), its the hill climbs that will have the high boost levels...

SVT

 

[scotts90ranger]

Two years ago (literally, within a week...) I towed an enclosed trailer with my 3 wheeler in it and a bunch of camping gear from Salem to Christmas Valley Oregon and back (and wheeled the Ranger in between) with my turbo Ranger that was much more than what you're talking about considering the tires and such I have and it handled it just fine. I tried to cruise without boost to like 2psi as it helps with the blow by, just pushed it harder occasionally for the mountain passes and stuff. If I remember right on the way home was around 7300lb with the Ranger and trailer, so probably closer to 8000lb on the way there. I got 12mpg on that trip

I say go for it, there isn't much of a weak link in your plan since you know more about it than the average Joe