2007 RANGER 4.0 V6

[2007RANGERSUPER]

Hello.

So I have a old but great 07 Ranger 4.0 V6 automatic. Its primary mission is towing. With that in mind, I tow about 3500 lbs. I understand that my particular ranger can tow up to 6000 lbs. I will never attempt to tow that much. I am looking for advice on a new muffler that can increase hp (and torque?) in the truck. Any thoughts.

 

[scotts90ranger]

A muffler cannot do that, even removing the whole exhaust system cannot do that... at best you'd gain like 1%, not worth it.

My recommendation is to look at what gear ratio you have in the rear differential (it'll be the same as the front if yours is 4x4) which can be found on the drivers door sticker, there's a code under Axle, post that or look in the tech library for the page with the decoder for that. You'll likely have 3.55 or 3.73 gears, what size tires are you running right now? Is the speedometer accurate? Going to lower gearing will likely help but knowing what you have now helps us help you.

You currently have the most powerful engine ever put in a Ranger before the new ecoboost stuff...

 

[sgtsandman]

Tuning an engine for more power takes more than an exhaust. Think of an engine as an air pump. For more air to flow through the engine, everything needs to be opened up from the intake to the exhaust. Obviously, there is a bit more to it than that since more air needs more fuel and so on.

It comes down to how much you are willing to spend and whether the realized gain in power is going to be worth the cost.

And when it comes to towing, going is usually not the main issue, it's the stopping ability and the vehicle's ability to handle the trailer in windy conditions that tends to be where things get ugly. 2019+ Ranger owners are running into this problem. On paper, they are good. They are within weight limits and stopping doesn't seem to be a problem, but crosswinds blowing the trailer around are taking them for a ride that gets the heart pumping.

 

[2007RANGERSUPER]

So, yes it does. The trip down to the ocean was over all ok. The trip back we experienced a lot of gusty winds the whole 200+miles. Hung onto the wheel real tight, and the truck and trailer handled it better at about 55 to 60 mph. I will be getting a sway bar.

The Ranger is 2007, 4.0 V6 4X4. The axle code is R7.

I also wondered what the general consensus was on Superchips Flashpaq F5 Performance Tuner and other such tuners. Do they really work to justify spending $400?

Thanks for all the help.

Superchips Flashpaq F5 Performance Tuner

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

So the R7 axle code is the limited slip 8.8” rear with 4.10 gears, the most ideal for towing in my opinion of the stock gears (theoretically there was a limited slip 4.56 option but I’ve never seen one).

More speed when you’re getting blown around the road is usually not the answer. The slower you go the harder it is for wind to move you. More power is usually only helpful bucking a headwind or if you have a lot of power you can use it to snap a swaying trailer back in line. You’re not going to achieve that level of power with a 4.0 though. If bucking headwinds is the problem, you have a few options…

More powerful motor. Self-explanatory. 2.3 Ecoboost or the classic 5.0 swap.

Upgrades. A chip will be limited utility without these anyway and a chip will be needed or an aftermarket ECU like Holley or Megasquirt or the like, which are better than a chip but you need some computer savvy. Electric fan, headers, supercharger or turbo…

A single 2.5” exhaust with headers, cats and a Flowmaster 40 or 44 will flow more air than you can pump with that motor without getting into major engine work.

 

[sgtsandman]

So, yes it does. The trip down to the ocean was over all ok. The trip back we experienced a lot of gusty winds the whole 200+miles. Hung onto the wheel real tight, and the truck and trailer handled it better at about 55 to 60 mph. I will be getting a sway bar.

The Ranger is 2007, 4.0 V6 4X4. The axle code is R7.

I also wondered what the general consensus was on Superchips Flashpaq F5 Performance Tuner and other such tuners. Do they really work to justify spending $400?

Thanks for all the help.

Superchips Flashpaq F5 Performance Tuner

One of the forum members that has been not been on in a while got a tuning chip for his 2011. I got the impression he wasn't happy with the results and he had to run 93 octane to see any gain.

A sway bar might help some but it doesn't address the main issue of the trailer sway. A brake controller, combined with electric brakes on the trailer will help get the sway under control at the moment but doesn't fix the problem. Going slower will help. Getting a bigger truck is the more appropriate move since you are having problems now. For what you want to do, the Ranger just isn't a big enough truck.

 

[JohnnyO]

There isn't a whole lot you can do to a 4.0. You will spend A LOT of money to pick up maybe 25 hp. I spent 15 years in the Sport Trac world where the 4.0 was regular topic.
The Sport Trac guru, Todd Z, got a deal on some unused JBA headers, went to the trouble of before and after dyno tests, and picked up less than 5 hp.
I had a Gibson cat-back on mine, Gibson says it's good for 8 hp. For sure the highway mpg was a little better. I'd recommend it if you don't mind the noise.
JBA headers, a cat-back exhaust, high-flow cat, cold air intake, and a tune from Torrie at Unleashed Tuning and you'll be north of $2500 for a minimal increase.
Consider trading it on a 2019+ that in stock form has 70 hp more and will break the rear tires loose at 35 mph when it gets up on the boost.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Also, trailer weight balance and how much tongue weight you have play a big part in the trailer staying put behind you…

Along with hitch position… I see a lot of people with the hitch point too high or too low…

 

[SenorNoob]

All about the level, weight distribution, and wind area. Bring any one factor close to the limit and your not gonna enjoy it.

 

[tinman_72]

...More speed when you’re getting blown around the road is usually not the answer...

To be fair he did not say he sped up to 55-60MPH. Maybe he was going 65-70MPH and slowed down to 55-60.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

To be fair he did not say he sped up to 55-60MPH. Maybe he was going 65-70MPH and slowed down to 55-60.

I was speaking in general terms, if you are getting a strong crosswind, being able to go faster just means you get pushed around more. So a more powerful engine does you no good in that situation.