Cheap mods for better performance or looks?

[8thTon]

I've had quite a few transverse engine cars, all with electric fans, going back to a '78 Fiat. Never had a bit of trouble with any of them. But then they had no choice with those. I can't think of any longitudinal engine cars I've had with a electric fan. They've all had clutch fans except the very oldest ones with direct mount fans, no doubt because they're simpler and cheaper and close enough. It's always a cost/benefit tradeoff, even with mods.

 

[8thTon]

Put an A-pillar gauge pod in it... nothing says cool like a couple gauges in your face.

Not even close to dual 6" fart cannons and a ball sack to hang from the hitch.

 

[adsm08]

Mechanical fans are cheaper to use, thats the thought process of a car maker, simple as that

With transverse mounted engines car makers had to use e-fans, no choice

Will switching to e-fan increase power and MPG, yes, laws of physics at work here, can't argue or change them, try as we might, lol.

Is it worth it to YOU is the only question, and only YOU can answer that

What HP gain, what MPG increase..............doesn't matter, it ain't 0 and thats that

There may have been a tipping point reached on that in the last decade. I can't think of a single Ford built since 2010 (except the last of the original Rangers and the diesels) that still had a mechanical fan.

 

[Ranger850]

What I am trying to do is educate people about the fact that these items that they have been told will increase power and or fuel economy, which is ostensibly the reason the person is interested in said item in the first place, when installed by itself will do the opposite of what they are trying to accomplish.

You and everybody else. One cai lesson per thread. Or you could even just drop a link to one of the many explanations and save the key strokes.

 

[RonD]

There may have been a tipping point reached on that in the last decade. I can't think of a single Ford built since 2010 (except the last of the original Rangers and the diesels) that still had a mechanical fan.

Yes, parts got cheaper, tipping point

But they also added electric gas pedals...............I trust electric motors and I trust sensors but I still have a hard time with that one
And electric steering, not assist, no mechanical connection between steering wheel and front tires
"Brake by wire" is also coming to cars soon, no mechanical or hydraulic connection between pedal and pads

One upside to all this, an accident won't be my fault, as far as I am concerned I am a passenger in a vehicle like that, lol.
Car maker better have good insurance because they won't be using mine unless I was actually DRIVING, and in FULL control

 

[8thTon]

There may have been a tipping point reached on that in the last decade. I can't think of a single Ford built since 2010 (except the last of the original Rangers and the diesels) that still had a mechanical fan.

They've made some big improvements in efficiency in the last 10 years, so smaller losses like fans have become a more significant part of what's left.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

And electric steering, not assist, no mechanical connection between steering wheel and front tires
"Brake by wire" is also coming to cars soon, no mechanical or hydraulic connection between pedal and pads

They can kiss my ass on that nonsense. No frickin way i want steering controled by motors. Same with brakes.

What happens if a wire gets corroded?

In the old days you lose a brake light.

Nowadays you go careening off the road crashing into a tree at 60mph.

But dont worry, im sure the 12 air bags (bombs) will protect you.

 

[Dirtman]

Ol rusty, always the voice of reason against technology.

 

[Curious Hound]

I just hope I get too old to drive, or just plain drop dead before they force me into all that or an autonomous car.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Ol rusty, always the voice of reason against technology.

Damn skippy.

Always makes sense to lol

 

[Bgunner]

I love having a new mod to do to my 2000 Ford Ranger xlt 3.0 flex. I've ran out of simple stuff to do. I was looking into doing a mad mod? Any other ideas someone could give me?

Mmm mods!!! With out knowing what you have already done you may get suggestions for things you have already done but here are some suggestions I have for you, Although I am not all that familiar with your year so some may not apply.

1. Front ride leveling kit... Because who wants to drive something that looks like the Subaru XT, door stop looking thing? Sloped heavily in the front. Good for both 2WD and 4WD.
2. Change the face of your gauges. Adds a personal touch to driving your vehicle
3. Tint windows if you like that sort of thing.
4. Heated seats... OK I live in the north east so I think of it as a really nice perk when the temp is below the 20°F
5. Get a stereo amp and a string of Christmas lights and hook them up, Disco in the truck!!! lol It works but if done right looks cool.
6. not sure your model has one or not but you can install a over head console with lights and compass out of explores
7. Swap out the seats if you have the bench to a set of buckets.
8. With the Christmas lights you could always fab up a dancing bed to go with it... Ok I'm joking now.

 

[AZRANGERDUDE99]

Mmm mods!!! With out knowing what you have already done you may get suggestions for things you have already done but here are some suggestions I have for you, Although I am not all that familiar with your year so some may not apply.

1. Front ride leveling kit... Because who wants to drive something that looks like the Subaru XT, door stop looking thing? Sloped heavily in the front. Good for both 2WD and 4WD.
2. Change the face of your gauges. Adds a personal touch to driving your vehicle
3. Tint windows if you like that sort of thing.
4. Heated seats... OK I live in the north east so I think of it as a really nice perk when the temp is below the 20°F
5. Get a stereo amp and a string of Christmas lights and hook them up, Disco in the truck!!! lol It works but if done right looks cool.
6. not sure your model has one or not but you can install a over head console with lights and compass out of explores
7. Swap out the seats if you have the bench to a set of buckets.
8. With the Christmas lights you could always fab up a dancing bed to go with it... Ok I'm joking now.

Haha thanks I’ve done all those already but 6,7,8 and the disco thing haha

 

[AZRANGERDUDE99]

COLD AIR INTAKE LOOKS COOL., and it's cheap. 2 out of three.=)

Definitely not cheap if you want a nice one made for the truck haha but it does look cool

 

[AZRANGERDUDE99]

I've bookmarked some info on fans that fit, and if I were to do one I'd take the temp switches and relays from some Ford with a factory electric fan. Wiring is not a big deal to me at all if I want to be bothered with it.

From what I'm seeing 4-5hp seems to be the loss, but I have not seen the rpm for that listed - I'm still looking for more info. I've also read that the clutch fan moves a lot more air than an electric fan, which might also be why Ford used it on a truck. I'm torn, as I know there is some loss, but I like the simplicity of the clutch fan, and at normal on-the-road rpm in a vehicle with the (lack of) aerodynamics of my Ranger Edge it's probably not a noticeable change.

In other words I can see why they made the choice they did, and it might have been the right one.

I agree completely simplicity is bliss

 

[AZRANGERDUDE99]

We could switch to those "performance chip" things....

One thing I’ll probably never do I would just have my ECU tuned up from a professional if I wanted to do something like that