I am new and need help!!

[BlueLighting1999]

okay so i am 16 and i own a 1999 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 3.0 V6, i love to off road my dad just sold his Jeep and so i am now off-roading in my ranger. But its all stock and i need help. I dont know what i must NEED and what is some things that i dont need yet would help and also stuff you just dont need at all! I like trials and a little mud, but im more of a trial person because i like to climb hills and stuff like that. I live in Washigton and its alway wet here. DO i need alot of suspention ungrades or engine upgrades? I know for sure bigger better tires But other then that i need a little help. Also in the long run would a V8 help or not? Thanks!!

 

[99RangerKrazy]

Where in Washington are you? You said it's wet a lot there..must be the west side?


Things you NEED? Nothing. Your stock Ranger will be good enough to still have fun with. But really, the list of modifications is endless, it all depends on how much you want to spend.

 

[sloth69mustang]

you seem to already know about a stuff. you just need to decide what you want in it. do you want to put a v8 in later? do you want to lift it first or do engine first? i think the easiest way to build a truck is to pick the tire size you want to fit then pick your lift kit around that. and it also depends if you want to have it still be a daily driver or just straight offroad rig. from the sounds of it you are going to need it as a daily driver.

 

[R***A**N**G**E***R]

okay so i am 16 and i own a 1999 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 3.0 V6, i love to off road my dad just sold his Jeep and so i am now off-roading in my ranger. But its all stock and i need help. I dont know what i must NEED and what is some things that i dont need yet would help and also stuff you just dont need at all! I like trials and a little mud, but im more of a trial person because i like to climb hills and stuff like that. I live in Washigton and its alway wet here. DO i need alot of suspention ungrades or engine upgrades? I know for sure bigger better tires But other then that i need a little help. Also in the long run would a V8 help or not? Thanks!!

TIRES , TIRES , TIRES AND TIRES!!!

at least some 31's all terrains, no modification needed.

 

[sloth69mustang]

TIRES , TIRES , TIRES AND TIRES!!!

at least some 31's all terrains, no modification needed.

or m/t's

 

[adsm08]

I only run stock 215/75/15 (is that a 27 or a 29 inch?) A/Ts on my truck, she handles respectably off road. I don't do any crazy off-roading or anything but I still keep up with my jeep buddies, out do my one friend with a full size Bronco (but he's a pussy) and don't have to worry about too much. As long as I could get the front wheels on the slope, I have yet to find a hill I can't climb if I want to (note: does not apply to things I don't want to climb).

 

[BlueLighting1999]

Where in Washington are you? You said it's wet a lot there..must be the west side?


Things you NEED? Nothing. Your stock Ranger will be good enough to still have fun with. But really, the list of modifications is endless, it all depends on how much you want to spend.

Well yesin des monies,wa and also i work at les swhab and a local restrant so i have saved up 2,500$ and i am planning on sending it on the truck, and what i was woundering was. There is alot of numbers and math involed with gears and stuff what dose most of this suspemtion and gears and stuff mean?

 

[Chance]

Get rid of it and get a pre-98 with a 4.0.

I have the same truck. I've wheeled the piss out of it, and it won't die. So I love it. But I hate it because it is THE worst platform to try to build for heavy wheeling (solid axle bs). The lift kit costs way too much for a mere 4"... but you can do the usual superlift/3" body lift and run 35's. A billion guys do that.

How hard do you wheel it? General rule of thumb for tires and gears for your truck 31's = 4.10 33's = 4.56 35's = 4.88's.

31's clear stock. You can get 33's on stock if you don't mind cranking the t bars and possibly doing some clearancing with a hammer or sawzall. I've heard you don't need to, but I never tried it because I parked my truck and it's about to go under wrench in a bit.

As for more power? Out of a 3.0, don't try. If it drives in 4lo, you're good

 

[Original_Ranger84]

I got pretty much the same truck as you.. Trust me it is quite capable as is. The only problem with mine is the fact that 4x4 like to engage for about 2 minutes then click off. So I would suggest getting some AVM manual hubs or swap out the setup from a live axle explorer. I climbed an almost 45 degree slope of slipery rocks with almost no trouble at all... I would throw on some 31" M/T's and since you work at a tire store you should get a nice discount. Stay away from the toyos though...

Other things you can do would be to get some 4.10 gears for your 31's and limited slip of you don't already have it. I would do a Tune up on the engine then get an exhaust, underdrive pulleys, and maybe some 1.6 or 1.7 rocker arms. Then get some Offroad lights cause they are bad ass! and then go for the interior and do a good system cause trails are way better with good tunes.

 

[Chance]

Oh yeah, I highly recommend the manual hub conversion... it costs free-fiddy and takes >5 minutes

http://www.ford-trucks.com/article/...r_19982000_Ford_Ranger_Pulse_Vacuum_Hubs.html

 

[88gt]

How hard do you wheel it? General rule of thumb for tires and gears for your truck 31's = 4.10 33's = 4.56 35's = 4.88's.

As for more power? Out of a 3.0, don't try. If it drives in 4lo, you're good

i have 31's on my truck and i think it would be better off with 4.56 gears. it has factory 4.10 gears and is also a automatic.

 

[Chance]

Okay sorry forgot about the massive power loss of an automatic... I have a standard trans and 4.10's feel... well good for a whopping 150 supposed horse.

But yeah, 4.56's would be nice to keep it in the power band more.

 

[88gt]

massive...you got that right!

 

[BlueLighting1999]

Okay sorry forgot about the massive power loss of an automatic... I have a standard trans and 4.10's feel... well good for a whopping 150 supposed horse.

But yeah, 4.56's would be nice to keep it in the power band more.

So wait dude alright your saying that if i can get 4.56's it will incress power in my truck? Because i have a automatic. BUt what else will incress my power otherthen a new engine, cold air intake, commputer chip, and exhust?

 

[Chance]

Well, it will increase your available power by making it easier to turn the tires and running at a higher rpm.

Other options are underdrive pulley, roller rocker conversion, etc.... if you really wanted to, a manual will free up some power as well. Oh and the usual bore and stroke deal. Some cool stuff here too http://www.moranav6racing.com/

Oh and if you ever like to splash in puddles when wheelin a cold air intake needs to be sheilded/never installed so it doesn't suck up extra water.