Just a few questions here...

[ClodSlayer]

I have a old, rusty '87 ford ranger 4x4 that I am currently fixing up with my dad and I have two questions... First, are there any alternatives to the bed bolts? They are rusted right out and they are like $15 apiece off lmc truck and that is just the bolt then there is the clips which are $10.... So is there any place to get them cheaper or anything I could use instead? Also... I was looking at one of those K&N filters and was wondering first of all weather it would really make any noticeable difference to the little 2.3 litter 4 cylinder engine that is in there. And if it does, I was wondering if it would be possible to just build the connecting pipe myself and buy just the filter. I mean it's like $150 for that piece of metal tubing and it seems kind of steep.....

 

[adsm08]

Leave your intake system alone. The K&N system will draw hot air from inside the engine bay and cost you power.

The factory pipe comes out behind the grille and gets cold air.

 

[fix_or_repair_daily]

Just go to the hardware store and match up bolts that are long enough and are roughly the same diameter(probably 1/2"), and get washers and nuts to match. That's what I did. I had to cut the heads off the original bolts because they were badly rusted, and I didn't have access to torches. Only difference is you will have to have another person go underneath and hold the nut still while you tighten the bolt.

Josh

 

[racsan]

the l.f. bed bolt will not be accessable from the bottom because of the fuel tank being in the way (unless you drop the tank, which i wouldnt do) you might be able to find a blind fasnter similar to what was there originally for that spot. and considering the age of that truck and the fact you have rusty bed bolts, be sure to look at your brackets that mount the rear leaf springs to the frame. they probly should be changed if they havent already been. thats also a much easier job to do with the bed off.

 

[ClodSlayer]

All right! So I guess I'll stick with stock air filter then....
I already have the bed off(im trying to get as much rust off as possoble then get some primer and rust gaurd on it) and the brackets are ready and waiting!
I have another question for you guys... What is the one best thing I could do to boost engine power output?

 

[Snoranger]

What is the one best thing I could do to boost engine power output?

 

[ClodSlayer]

Huh.. I was more thinking along the lines of to the engine i already got... But Two more questions, this time regarding the picture above... How much would that cost and how much modification to the engine mountings is required to make that fit?

 

[adsm08]

Sno has the right idea, but he overshot by about a liter.

4.0 makes better power at the bottom and is equal up to the point where it's revving so high that nobody cares anymore.

 

[ClodSlayer]

Oh, and Adsm- the factory intake was non-existent when I bought the truck of some guy so I was thinking that I'd I had to replace it, I mind as well make it better, but I now see your point... Maybe a snorkel rig?

And the questions still stand even for the 4 litter...what's the cost and modification required?

 

[adsm08]

Either way you will need engine mounts, engine, trans, wiring, computer, etc. It's not easy. A 4.0 will fit better.

 

[jhammel85]

Just go to the hardware store and match up bolts that are long enough and are roughly the same diameter(probably 1/2"), and get washers and nuts to match. That's what I did. I had to cut the heads off the original bolts because they were badly rusted, and I didn't have access to torches. Only difference is you will have to have another person go underneath and hold the nut still while you tighten the bolt.

Josh

I just did this with my body lift because my J-Nuts were bad on the bed.

 

[ClodSlayer]

Either way you will need engine mounts, engine, trans, wiring, computer, etc. It's not easy. A 4.0 will fit better.

ok... then what is the biggest engine that will drop in? I'll even maybe go for a v6... I just don't want a line of cars waiting behind me as i slowly get up to highway speed....

 

[gribly]

Leave your intake system alone. The K&N system will draw hot air from inside the engine bay and cost you power.

The factory pipe comes out behind the grille and gets cold air.

Remember - the factory system sucks in water easy, and you really do get more power cutting all that crap out on a v6 truck. I've done it on a '90 2.9 and a '91 4.0. Doubt it will do anything for the 2.3 except make it louder, though.

 

[ClodSlayer]

...so there is no possible way( or nothing thats worth the cost) to increse the power of engine I already have?

 

[Snoranger]

I'm sure there are ways to increase the power of the 4 cyl. but $ for $, the best way to get more power is the 4.0l swap. It really boils down to:

How much more power do you want?

How much money do you have to spend?