3.0 slow and possible throttle problems

[aknott1994]

I know 3.0 rangers are pretty slow, especially early ones. But my ranger is SLOW. even when it had the smaller than stock tires on it with 3.73 gears it was terribly slow. Could issues arise with the throttle cable or linkage? I have a hard time maintaining speeds, have to floor it to accelerate, and if I am already driving I can push the pedal as hard as I want and it wont kick down a gear. (Auto) all gears do work though. Any suggestions? I have owned many vehicles and I know for a fact that it isn't normal.

 

[Dirtman]

Here go...

Throttle Cable Mod - The Ranger Station

Submitted by ‘Destroy’ – Forum Member Over time, the throttle cable stretches and the housing seats more into its ferrules, thus, adding play to the gas pedal. You never feel this because: a) it happens so slowly and b) the … Continued

www.therangerstation.com

 

[aknott1994]

Thank you, did the mod earlier and went and drove around for a bit, may have helped a little, but not much. What would be the best fuel injector cleaner out there.

 

[55trucker]

Assuming we're discussing the '92, the engine will be a distributor ignition, you absolutely sure that your ign timing isn't late? That would cause what you're experiencing.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Check timing

Talk to the tech gods here about checking timing chain. I go by miles and level of difficulty. Ohv motor? Research best, change at 150k+, put double roll in as replacement and it'll get crushed with it in tip top shape. Ohc motor? Is it really worth it? Example: if timing chain in my 2011 goes, place 4.0 in dumpster, replace with 2.3 Duratec with mild t04e or less mild t70 twin scroll because if we're gonna rice, we might as well plant a paddy

Tailpipe smoke?

Miles?

Weird noises, rattles, dumb stuff that seems innocuous.

Trans health

Maf sensor dirty?

Air filter?

Health of exhaust?

Aftermarket crap?

 

[rusty ol ranger]

The fact its not kicking down at full throttle is weird.

Pull codes on it. It maybe a TPS issue. I cant think of much else (maybe a MAP sensor) that would cause massive power loss but no kickdown....

Compression, timing, injectors, fuel delivery, etc etc would not stop the trans from a driver enforced downshift.

 

[aknott1994]

Motor was rebuilt about 15k miles ago, no codes come through with the reader, and timing is at 8 BTDC with the spout out. Idle is sometimes erratic but I have always thought that to be normal on a 3.0, my tach is twitchy sometimes and I need a new speedo cable and gear so that reads normally. Other than that I cant think of anything strange. I don't want to race my truck, the most I do is some mud or trails every now and then but other than that it is my daily driver. Here in MI the highway speeds are 70mph and I can barely get there, and once I am there it is hard to hold it. It will drop down to 50-60 with a hill or headwind and then no kickdown to get back up to speed, just chugs it's way up very slowly. Seems downright dangerous

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Do a vacuum test.

Sounds like possibly a plugged cat.

Still doesnt makes sense it wont downshift though.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Also...8*btdc seems a bit off. The 2.9 runs 10* BTDC and most guys run them at 12*BTDC

 

[aknott1994]

Mine is a 3.0 and 8BTDC is factory spec so that is why I set it there, also is there an adapter or anything for the y pipe? I am sure my cat is plugged because it looks original but I am not going to put a $300-$400 cat on my $500 truck, defeats the purpose of a $500 truck

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Amazon carries aftermarket cats for $50. They are CARB certified.

 

[aknott1994]

Amazon carries aftermarket cats for $50. They are CARB certified.

Will they bolt up to the weird Y pipe collector on the ranger?

 

[Curious Hound]

Mine is a 3.0 and 8BTDC is factory spec so that is why I set it there, also is there an adapter or anything for the y pipe? I am sure my cat is plugged because it looks original but I am not going to put a $300-$400 cat on my $500 truck, defeats the purpose of a $500 truck

There is some kind of vacuum test you can do to verify plugged cats. I will now invoke @RonD and @adsm08 for further details

 

[aknott1994]

Thank you. I would like to know for sure if they are

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Will they bolt up to the weird Y pipe collector on the ranger?

No idea. In my experience, expect fabrication work as soon as you say "exhaust." I have little experience with the 3.0, so there's that as well.

Torca clamps, a tailpipe expander, and adapters can sometimes get you around welding and bending. Sometimes.