Got my Ranger back after ~13 years

[brother rat]

We've had this 1994 Ranger in our family since 1997 and it was my daily driver until I moved away for college. It stayed with my folks and they just recently purchased a newer truck so I got the Ranger back from them. I'll put up some pictures later on when I have a chance. It's a std. cab, short bed, 2.3L, auto, 2wd, 172k.
Anyway, the 2.3 is gutless so I had been planning on regearing. When I got under the truck to take a look I was surprised to find an 8.8 and the axle tag indicates 4.11 gears. It's still rolling on factory 225/70/14, so it looks like whoever the original owner was had replaced the axle at some point. That gearing is pretty maxed out. I always wondered why it didn't get very good mileage. Now I have to decide if it will be more economical to leave it this way for a while or spend the cash to put on 15" wheels with 30" tires to match the gears. The issue is that the current tires are only a few weeks old and I don't want it to be even more anemic than it already is. Any advice?
The clear coat is peeling pretty bad, too. But the paint underneath seems to be pretty good still. I'm thinking I can get some fine sandpaper and smooth it out and then rattle can some clear coat over it to preserve it for a little while longer. Any advice?
The transmission shifts really hard from 1-2 when it's cold. Once it's up to operating temp. it's pretty smooth. I'm not sure when the last transmission service was. Is that something I should invevstigate more? Any advice?
Thanks for your help and happy new year!

 

[doorgunner]

We've had this 1994 Ranger in our family since 1997 and it was my daily driver until I moved away for college. It stayed with my folks and they just recently purchased a newer truck so I got the Ranger back from them. I'll put up some pictures later on when I have a chance. It's a std. cab, short bed, 2.3L, auto, 2wd, 172k.
Anyway, the 2.3 is gutless so I had been planning on regearing. When I got under the truck to take a look I was surprised to find an 8.8 and the axle tag indicates 4.11 gears. It's still rolling on factory 225/70/14, so it looks like whoever the original owner was had replaced the axle at some point. Block the front tires/put the rear axle on jack stands/put the trans in nuetral/put a piece of tape on the driveshaft/rotate the driveshaft & count how may times the driveshaft turns by the time the rear wheel makes 1 complete revolution/that will give you a good idea if the rear end actually has 4.11 gears(if the driveshaft turns at least 4 turns while the wheel rotstes once)That gearing is pretty maxed out. I always wondered why it didn't get very good mileage.What rpm is the engine turning at 60mph? Now I have to decide if it will be more economical to leave it this way for a while or spend the cash to put on 15" wheels with 30" tires to match the gears. The issue is that the current tires are only a few weeks old and I don't want it to be even more anemic than it already is. Any advice?Make sure the gearing is 4/11 before changing wheels. You definately need to know the engine rpm at 60mph in order to use the wheel diameter conversion chart....if you're only going to gain a couple mpg's by going to new diameter wheels--wear out the stock tires first (I am in a similar dilema)
The clear coat is peeling pretty bad, too. But the paint underneath seems to be pretty good still. I'm thinking I can get some fine sandpaper and smooth it out and then rattle can some clear coat over it to preserve it for a little while longer. Any advice? Use a good quality automotive clearcoat in a rattle-can after wetsanding an area that won't be so noticeable until you get the process down pat.
The transmission shifts really hard from 1-2 when it's cold. Once it's up to operating temp. it's pretty smooth. I'm not sure when the last transmission service was. Is that something I should invevstigate more? Any advice? Remove the trans pan/notice any little chunks of metal or fiber/relace the filter---make sure the rubber gasket comes out with the old filter/wash the inside of the pan untils it's clean/reinstall the pan and add the CORRECT type fluid to the correct level/drive a few miles/recheck the fluid level and the pan for leaks (my Ranger shifts hard also until it warms up---213,000 miles)
Thanks for your help and happy new year!

.

 

[fix_or_repair_daily]

The auto trans hooked to the 2.3 is what makes it gutless and not so great on gas. It might be the perfect time to swap it to a M5OD, especially if the auto is already having issues.

 

[brother rat]

Thanks for the responses. I am planning on confirming the gear ratio.
M5OD swap isn't in the cards.

 

[LearjetMinako]

Yep, an automatic behind the 2.3L is what makes a world of difference. For that, I'm very glad that my Ranger is a 5spd manual.

As for the gearing to match tire sizes. I've done the math on this a long time ago. With a 4.11 ratio axle, use 235/75R15 with a 21 tooth speedo gear. This will give you the stock feel of a 96 Ranger with the speedo at correct speed. I personally have a 3.73 with 225/70R15 tires on a 20 tooth speedo gear. The increased tire size from stock gives the Ranger a feel that it has 3.55 ratio axle. Which gives me a good all around highway and city driving mileage. 65MPH in 5th, the engine is turning around 2500rpm.

 

[brother rat]

I tried to attach a couple of photos to this post.

 

[EMB1230]

The auto trans hooked to the 2.3 is what makes it gutless and not so great on gas.

Yep, an automatic behind the 2.3L is what makes a world of difference.

Yeah plus it's a 94 so it's the 98 hp 2.3. although all Lima's are low powered, i have a 96 so mine's the 112 hp 2.3. even with the M5OD, no a/c and no p/s and a single cab, mine is still slow as hell!! BTW, I have 3.45 gears, I believe that was the "highway" gear ratio.

Side note: that interior is immaculate! You can tell that your family really took good care of it.

 

[Andy D]

Torqueflites and other ATs will shift funny when they are cold and just a pint low on ATF. Never hurts to check the stick. Also if the ATF is anything but pink , it could use a change. I keep my ATs going by doing drains and filter every so often. I suppose a complete change is better, but if everything checks out..

 

[brother rat]

Side note: that interior is immaculate! You can tell that your family really took good care of it.

Thanks. We all take very good care of the interiors of our vehicles. Aside from the peeling clear coat, it is in near showroom condition.