Just a few questions here...

[ClodSlayer]

It really boils down to:

How much more power do you want?

How much money do you have to spend?

lol that is basically the root of my problem... i want plenty of power, but I'm on a rather tight budget....

 

[Snoranger]

You're never going to make a lot of power out of the 4 cyl without forced induction.

My best advice... leave it as it is and just drive it. Dont waste any unnecessary money on that engine. Save up to be able to afford an engine swap. The 2.3T, 4.0, or 5.0 can all be done at a very reasonable cost.

 

[mp3deviant721]

4.0 swap is the best choice for you buddy. Either that or go find a running, rusted out Turbocoupe for really cheap and swap that 2.3 turbo into your truck.

 

[racsan]

or just put lower gearing in it, sure its some $ what with having 2 diferentials to regear, but going from 3.55's to say a 4.10 ratio will make quite a difference in "launch" when you hit the gas. i forget what ratio you have, if you have 4.10's already, i think the next step would be 4.27's , may be hard to find for a gen 1 truck though. migh look for a D35/8.8 out of a newr ranger, say a '93 & up. might find more options as to regearing options.

 

[ClodSlayer]

Ok...one last question then... Where would you guys suggest buying the 6cly? Some place that has quality stuff but a decent price?

 

[Legend]

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? .....

I don't really have any suggestions, but I can tell you what my dad did for his Ford pickup (1948) with this problem....

He dropped a 2" x 24" board about 5 ft long in between the bed and the cab. Then drove about 40 big nails through the bed, through the board into the cab. Then he went to the cab, flipped down the seat to clinch the nails over and found he couldn't because they were all inside the gas tank. I remember this and his reaction quite clearly, although it was a long time ago.

 

[Snoranger]

I don't really have any suggestions, but I can tell you what my dad did for his Ford pickup (1948) with this problem....

He dropped a 2" x 24" board about 5 ft long in between the bed and the cab. Then drove about 40 big nails through the bed, through the board into the cab. Then he went to the cab, flipped down the seat to clinch the nails over and found he couldn't because they were all inside the gas tank. I remember this and his reaction quite clearly, although it was a long time ago.

 

[ClodSlayer]

So how much would a v6 cost?

 

[Snoranger]

Thats not an easy question to answer. You can find a cheap Explorer ($500-1000) and swap everything in and be done with it. You can tack on extras (water pump, alt, starter, p/s pump, gaskets + seals, clutch, hoses, tune-up, etc.) and be into it for $2000-3000 when all is said and done. Or you can rebuild the engine, all new accessories, new sensors, new rad, etc and be into it for a lot more.


Its up to you and your budget.