A new problem?

[Antsinmyeyes]

Hello i'm new to the forum and new to ranger ownership, after picking up a 98 3.0 xlt with 143k miles this summer past. Unfortunately neither one last so I'll get down to the issue at hand. This weekend i wanted to lift up the front end to replace rotten ball joints but instead i was horrified by what i found.
So here's some pictures to do the explaining.

Passenger side,

Drivers side.

Beneath the cover it looks like the hubs have been welded on with something on the spindle! Surely this isn't right?

Has anyone encountered anything like this before? What would a mechanic do if i brought it in to the shop vs. What can be done with simple tools? And importantly how much could it cost?

 

[Josh B]

Man, that's sure a tough break, the very reason I always choose to do my own work.
You'll probably have to do some semi-major replacements. If it were me being faced with this I'd look for replacements at a wrecking yard, tool up and tear it down.
You'll get better answers than this, hopefully, that's just an idea what I'd be thinking about doing

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I bet the PVH hubs took a shit and someone couldnt be without 4x4.

Probably looking at new hubs and CVs at minimum.

 

[Dirtman]

20 year old brake rotors too... just gonna have to pull everything off and replace it. Rotors, hubs, and axles.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I think I'd get my industrial sized dremel out and remove the 3 tacs first. See what happens. Replace what you need to then. You probably have to do grind the welds anyway to get it apart to replace so at least its not wasted time.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

This is why we can't have nice things.











While you're at it: get out the engine hoist, remove your engine, load it into a trebuchet, and lob it into hell where it belongs. Then put a 2.9 back in it's place. You'll be much happier.

 

[Josh B]

Is yours electric or manual transfer case?

 

[Josh B]

You have a 2.8, a 2.9, and a 3.0, what is the big difference between those numbers?

P.S. Why doesn't my "quote" work when I click "quote" ? It never gets transferred to the post

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

You have a 2.8, a 2.9, and a 3.0, what is the big difference between those numbers?

P.S. Why doesn't my "quote" work when I click "quote" ? It never gets transferred to the post

2.8? Good old motor. Lots of older euro performance upgrades. Like this:

2.9? Ford loved the world so much that they gave us an engine crafted from mana and dying stars. It was forged in a furnace fueled by the bones of Satan himself, and fed air by Gabriel's trumpet. It then was then delivered to Man in a series of vehicles so perfect that to this day, none are quite sure if they really see one on the street, or if they are having an out of body experience and getting a glimpse of the Fields of Glory.

3.0? Well. It was designed for this. You be the judge.

In all sincerity, I beat up on the 3.0 quite a bit, but they were good engines for their era. Still are. Reliable as all hell as well.

 

[Dirtman]

Technically wasn't mana disgusting gruel that just barely kept you alive because god felt sorry for people? Sounds just what the 2.9 is made from.

 

[91stranger]

Never had a 2.8 (ford at least, had a chevy 2.8) or a 2.9 but I got the 3.0 now and it takes a beatin'. I use my truck for hauling firewood in the winter. 6x8 trailer LOADED to the max pulls easy behind the 3.0. I think a lot of people have the notorious stretched throttle cable so when they mash the pedal to the floor it is really only 1/2 or 5/8 throttle when it should be full throttle. I thought mine had no balls until I added a couple zip ties. Game changer.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Technically wasn't mana disgusting gruel that just barely kept you alive because god felt sorry for people? Sounds just what the 2.9 is made from.

Thought it was bread from the heavens?

Either way.

??

 

[Grumpaw]

Technically wasn't mana disgusting gruel that just barely kept you alive because god felt sorry for people? Sounds just what the 2.9 is made from.

Dirtmans "mana"....

Grumpaw
.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Never had a 2.8 (ford at least, had a chevy 2.8) or a 2.9 but I got the 3.0 now and it takes a beatin'. I use my truck for hauling firewood in the winter. 6x8 trailer LOADED to the max pulls easy behind the 3.0. I think a lot of people have the notorious stretched throttle cable so when they mash the pedal to the floor it is really only 1/2 or 5/8 throttle when it should be full throttle. I thought mine had no balls until I added a couple zip ties. Game changer.

Even though people shit on the 2.9 left and right, it really is the "strongest" of the small ranger V6s when it comes to downright power. 1st-3rd in a 5 speed 2.9 truck is downright fun. Its kinda like the nerdy girl jn highschool. No one gives her a second glance but give her a chance, treat her right, she'll rock your world.

The 3.0 is slightly more reliable (athough, id say its a tossup if you keep the 2.9 cool).

The 2.8 well...i dont have enough time with one to really know. But id hazard to say its a less powerful 2.9.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

I've always ragged n the 3.0 until I saw @ericbphoto s. Thing was impressive for such a little powerplant.