4-Banger 2.3l 2wd manual Low power up hills. (Chasing Ghosts?)

[XLTsplash]

My 1997 Ranger has the 2.3L. I live in the foothills and going up big hills I have to shift into 4th gear to stay above 65 Mph. My truck has 135K miles on it and I rebuilt the engine, a new head, pistons, rings, bearings, oil pump and all of the other little stuff like new Motorcraft plugs and wires. I've replaced all of the plastic vacuum lines with silicone hoses. I've also installed a cat back exhaust and K&N air filter. The one thing I haven't replaced is the cat. My Dad had a 1989 Ranger with over 225K miles that seemed to have more power than mine. My Dad also had a 2000 Ranger with the 2.5L, auto trans and 4:11 gears that had more power than my 1997. I've been thinking about installing a new cat in my Ranger one of these days, I've noticed every smog test the emissions are higher. I know my cat isn't plugged. I hope it's just a little restricted, enough that when I replace it I can feel a improvement in power.

 

[tomw]

Have you checked what your axle ratio is? You may have the 'economy' ratio that keeps the rpms down but in turn limits torque and affects hill climbing. I haven't been to Placerville in a bunch of years, but used to tow a trailer to Lake Don Pedro with my old Ranger. It was pokey, but I did not mind. There is a sticker on the visor warning not to tow anything in 5th gear. Going across the valley I didn't pay attention to that, and cruised the flat in 5th. I was definitely unable to climb in OD, though.
You have a tach, not in the best location, so take a look at the rpms you are turning at 60mph or so. To climb any kind of hill, you'd have to be at least in the 2400-2500 rpm range as below that torque is sort of minimal. Short of grafting on some more cylinders or a forced induction system of some sort, the only thing left, I think, is differential ratio swapping. Mpg will likely take a hit. And it costs. I'd try shifting as needed.
One last thing is to compare your rpms to the other trucks mentioned at the same speed. The others may be spinning a bit more, and also have that hit on mpg.
tom

 

[ricardoguitars]

Where can I find which axel ratio I have on my differential?, it is a 95 XL 2.3.

 

[BlackBII]

Where can I find which axel ratio I have on my differential?, it is a 95 XL 2.3.

Look HERE

 

[ricardoguitars]

Look HERE

Thanks a lot.

 

[XLTsplash]

My Ranger has the 3:73 gears. I try to keep the RPM near 3,000 when pulling big hills. When comparing my 97 Ranger to the power my Dads' 89 Ranger had, I think the big difference is weight. My Dad's truck was a base model with no A/C and power steering. Not only are the base 93/97 Ranger's a bit heavier than the 89/92 base Rangers. My Ranger also has the heavier step side bed, A/C, P/S, P/B and speed control.

 

[CarsonRanger]

My Ranger has the 3:73 gears. I try to keep the RPM near 3,000 when pulling big hills. When comparing my 97 Ranger to the power my Dads' 89 Ranger had, I think the big difference is weight. My Dad's truck was a base model with no A/C and power steering. Not only are the base 93/97 Ranger's a bit heavier than the 89/92 base Rangers. My Ranger also has the heavier step side bed, A/C, P/S, P/B and speed control.

Basically my same setup, just a couple less features, standard bed. I really like the idea of swapping for a 4.10. What would this cost at the pick and pull?