Thanks for all the information. I'm just glad I haven't got flamed yet for being relatively new to
this forum.
I'll try the throttle cable trick tomorrow.
As for the rear end swap, I've got a whole 1992 Eddie Bauer 4x4 Explorer 4.0 auto for parts. Good rear end too, any one care to guess what its gearing is-and if it would swap into my truck?
I just removed this thing (Not my photo, sorry if it belongs to someone) from the intake tube. Took about 5 minutes to take the two hose clamps off, pull the "dildo" off, and push the "Nerf Football" inside backwards to pop it out. Re-installed and done a 10 mile test drive.
Once I put the truck in reverse I noticed a little more buzz to the throttle. Once I pulled out of the driveway it wasn't much of a struggle to get up to 55. Tested it out on a mile long steep grade, and it held its speed much easier. We have two corners in my town that are notorious for causing problems with weak vehicles turning into traffic. Both are on slopes and with a hard right hand turn. All stock, this truck would bog pretty bad on them. Now with the silencer removed, and the cat delete, it will take it with just a little struggle.
The noise from the intake is not too noticeable. Sorta sounds like someone is blowing compressed air in a pipe from a distance at wide open. I'm not sure why Ford had to design something so restrictive to eliminate the noise.
Cat delete with the stock exhaust made it sound like shit. Seriously sounds like its saying "blahhhhhhh". Blah is right, now it needs a new muffler.
So, overall this may not have added a single horsepower or footpound of torque. But it certainly made driving less annoying.