Bob, Thanks for the link. I see that you are an IBM engineer by trade.
Our Chrysler T&C mini van also runs better on stock plugs as well. After changing plugs (and wires) after 30k miles due to a recall on 04s for engine misfire with defective mfg plugs, the dealer retuned it and no problems since.
Gee I thought stock plugs were good for 100K or more these days of fuel injected engines....not so if they are mistakenly made to fail by faulty manufacturing...must have been a fluke.
The 3.0 Ranger is another case... We have 5 vehicles and the 3.0 is the smallest engine of any. I bought it with 76k miles instead of an ATV (aka Polaris Ranger side-by side)... and it has been a fun toy. You would think that the smallest engine would give the best mpg, but duh NO....duh...the Caddy with the 4.6 Northstar does better, and approaches 30 mpg on the highway, and of course, is too fun to tromp on the 300 HP around town so it doesn't get that efficiency for city mpg ratings. Thats what we use the Ranger for now -short town trips - and for being a Toad behind a V10 Winne motohome (with the rear drive shaft removed towed in 2wd Park) and run in 4wd drive mode off the front axle with Warn Vacuum hubs when we arrive at a travel destination....hey what else can I learn and do with this thing???
I bought a 2000 Ford Ranger Electrical diagrams manual on ebay for $8 ( which has baled me out several times) ....the best investment so far. I have re-engineered several items on it with aftermarket and find somethings help and others definately do not. The rear signal/tail lights were a challenge to hook up for the Toad pulling mode and had to disconnect the turn signal switch to enable. Have a jumper plug to enable in standard run mode.
In a graduate study at the University of Nebraska, some folks there modified a 1999 Chevy Silverado for maximzing E85 use. I have been trying to do some of the same things for this underpowered corn burner 4x4 off-road Ranger with over sized 245 75 16 stock tires.
Some of the suggestions on the RBS ranger forums have also helped. Thanks.
It is a balence between mpg and power gain. The best mpg was with the stock MAF sensor, and when I removed the center support rail on a junk yard replacement, the shift points changed slightly and a bit better throttle response, which was mushy before with stock.
My home made 3" ABS air intake - to the original stock air box - (not drawing in hot engine air) may also increase the air flow and easy at which it breathes at higher end rpms.
It runs good now and I hate to do much else to it. I had tried an aluminum air intake, but it was junk, so went to plastic, more like the OEM tube.
The last mod was to go to 225 60 16 tires - used ones from our Caddy. Easy swap and now looking for a re-cal device for the speedo or engine retuner from the underdog pulley changing the idle speed...Any suggestions are welcome.
I like the ride of the Michelins better than the stock Goodyear and it sits a couple inches lower easier for my disabled wife to get into the the truck.
Been trying different shocks, but still like the stock off-road Motorcraft best for a softer ride for wifes bad back.
Thanks for any suggestions on what to do and what not to waste my time on.
JB, oldbaldy454, DAV member, Vietnam era
PS..The "454" is for a 454 Chevy we have ..another fun truck with the classic big block
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Add in the undersize pulley, e-fan, and K&N, and you're in "big trouble", lol.
shady
