Just a daily driver - 2WD 3.0L v6

[Phiiilly]

- After blowing up my 1991 Buick Le Sabre, and looking for countless days, for a cheap reliable truck. Ran across a 1991 Ford Ranger XLT 3.0L v6, 170k. Paid in cash $2300. It's since then become my favorite pass time to work on it! I love this damn truck, hasn't let me down yet!

So enjoy, comment, and share tips or advice. Love this forum by the way.

- The day I got the truck, looking rather clean, and well stock.

- And so the fun begins!

- 180,000 Miles, still running like a champ.

Things I've done thus far since owning it for 5 months:
- Replaced fuel Filter
- Replaced Spark plugs (Bosch +2)
- Air cone kit
- Coil Booster set (front coils)
- 1000lb Helper leaf springs
- Replaced all stock speakers (Pioneer 150Watt 5x4's & Pioneer 6x9's 100 Watt)
- Cut muffler (Replaced with straight pipe, still running both cat's)
- Replaced fuel sending unit (Gas gauge never worked when originally purchased)
- Replaced fuel pump (Stock pump went out, after replacing sending unit)
- Replaced with aftermarket mirrors, those ones that came on it, were horrible!


- When purchased already had a rebuilt transmission with less than 1000 miles on it.
- Has never been worked on out of a shop, I'm slowly changing that.
- Kenwood 50Watt x4 Pre-installed (best buy)
- All pipe, hose, connections were replaced with actual clamps! (Loved that)

For a little 4 Speed automatic, with overdrive. I couldn't be happier. Truck runs like a champ. I'm hoping this truck will last all the way up to 300k miles. I've got a feeling it will.

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

it will deff last 300k miles
nice truck man, looks really clean.
mine had those tires when i got it

 

[mc_muench]

this is mos def a sweet gen 2, keep at it!

 

[Phiiilly]

The chrome paint on the hub's was driving me nuts. So I found a can of gloss black spray paint, and tore of the remaining chrome, just waiting for it to dry up now.

Yeah I know, didn't put anything under it to catch the run off, so sue me.


Also tape'd off the top, to leave that chrome, will show once settled.

 

[Dep. Ranger]

Reminds me of my grandfathers old ranger. Really Clean. Great Find. Take care of it.

 

[mc_muench]

I just noticed why do the auto rangers get tachs and stick rangers, who actually need them, don't...WTF Ford???!!

 

[Phiiilly]

I just noticed why do the auto rangers get tachs and stick rangers, who actually need them, don't...WTF Ford???!!

Lol, Great question! I love the tach, I don't know why you wouldn't want to have one installed out of the factory.

- Anyways paint got dry enough so I could put them on, turned out alright! I love the look of 'em. Now we just need a few inch lift front and back, and some nice lil' off-road'n tires! Haha yeah on my budget, psh hell no. At least not until I start saving. Right, back on track here ya are gents & ladies if their are any...

- Total cost for me was 0$, had a few old spray can's around.
But the cost for these scars to now heal, couple days.
Damn chrome paint is a bit-you know what.

Anyways hope y'all like it.
Maybe it could help y'all.
I just got bored, it's my day off, plus can't keep my hands of her.
Beer time!

 

[Phiiilly]

- Just replaced the rear shock absorbers, 19$ a piece at Advanced Auto, it needed 'em, so why not?

Also installed a lil' 300W Dual Amp, for the rear speakers.

Replaced the Rotors, pads, and front caliper hardware yesterday. Tightened up the drums, truck stop's just as fast as my sister 4 wheel disc brake town and country with a 3.3L in it. Ha gotta love it!

 

[Phiiilly]

Oh their so damn pretty! And yeah I know cheap way to lift it, I'll be seeing if I can't get the ford spacers, I'd love to get my hands on a set of 'em. Anyone currently running them?

Anyway's, what's up with the pin's? Why couldn't they use a bolt, weirdest thing I've ever seen that holds the caliper. Anyone have insight upon this?

 

[Phiiilly]

Just got done replacing the front shocks, rides nice now!

 

[96Greenster]

Nice purchase man... Love those rangers.. Any plans for it??

 

[Louisville86]

I have seen Ranger auto's without tachs, vice versa...have seen alot of Ranger 5spd's with tachs, vice versa. It's just the way they are...my opinion all of them should've had tachs put into them. My 94 3L 5spd did not have a tach in it when I bought it in 94...I changed out the cluster and put one in 10 years ago and I love having it in there. My 93 3L 5spd has one in there. I recently bought it from the original owner and he said he never changed out the cluster. My old 4L 5spd had one, my friends 91 3L 5spd has one. It's really a choice thing I suppose by Ford. I look at my tach more then my speedo...I know the sound and speed of the engine by ear. That gives me more a clear reading on how my engine is performing.

I sort of disagree. In my Gen I ('86), I've got an auto and no tach. But in a Gen I you had to give up the oil pressure and amps gauges to get a tach. And I like the oil pressure gauge! With a 2.9 you need to keep an eye on that.

 

[Phiiilly]

Nice purchase man... Love those rangers.. Any plans for it??

No big plans, just simple things, wanna make it last as long as possible.
I'm contemplating replacing the coil springs, but as of right now I'm satisfied with how it handles, and the suspension in general.
It's just become my day off activity, tweaking here and there, and buying whatever to make me happy.
I do also plan on replacing the leaf springs, I'm not sure as to what I should be looking for in junk yards though.
Plan is to at least make it not want to bottom out.
The full time helper leaf spring is junk. Worthless IMO.
Then again you get what you pay for.

When we do haul things, it's usually a nice load.
There for having the rear-end not want to sag, is always a plus.

There's plenty to still do with this truck, I've got the headaches all worked out so far.
So I'll just keep on running down the road with her.

Philly,

That is a very clean looking Ranger, good to see another 3L owner who enjoys thier truck. Two things to improve under the hood...put a plastic housing cover over the red wire on the firewall. Take off the intake plenum and repaint it a good color.

I do need to do something with the wiring, now I have that wire, plus the amp 12V running along with it.
Where could I find a wire wrap or set of wire wraps for them.
It is an eye sore when you open the hood.

As for the air cleaner, not to worried about it, it takes the eyes of the oil that is infecting the engine bay.
Which leads to a nice question, would is be safe to pressure wash the engine. I'm thinking it wouldn't be such a good idea, because of the electrical. I'm not sure as to what or how to go about that. Just throwing that out there for anyone to answer.


Again thank's all for the comments and tips!
This little truck is my pride n joy now.
Except now I have to find a girl to ride shotgun, ha.

 

[Phiiilly]

Just got done mounting my whip!

 

[Phiiilly]

Went to the pond yesterday, got some cool pictures, and well, yeah the fate is yours!

Also saw a International mud boggin' 4 wheelin' crazy contraption!, with a small block 350, the engine gave in the international. Didn't get any pictures, but next trip I'm sure he'll be there again!