Lightly modifying a 2005 Ranger FX4

[cprher]

I bought a 2005 Ranger FX4 for my wife new and have not modified it except to bring it into alignment with the FX4 Type II by adding Bilstein shocks and OEM skid plates. I won't add the Torson diff unless my original diff grenades. With 30 K on the clock I did some other light mods such as much better discs and pads up front, top of the line Firestone tires, hard bed cover and of course a bull bar (just had to do it). The tires alone drastically improved the truck's braking performance in slick conditions.

However, while I love the truck I've always been very disappointed with its throttle response and power, especially on the highway when I want to pass. My question is this: What improvement should I expect by installing a Magnaflow Cat Back exhaust and a K&N intake system? Other than the improved sound (not a selling point with my wife) will the performance improve to any noticeable degree?
Keith

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Simply put, no.

The intake system is a waste of time and money and will result in nothing other than give you that 'cool' sound from the intake.

The exhaust would give minimal if any improvements at all.

 

[RollinWOT]

If you really want better acceleration, try installing a MAF delete kit, which eliminates the MAF grid, which basically chops the air into slow moving bits so the compouter can read if the engine is getting enough air or not. That will give you better throttle response. I know that diesel owners sometimes install heater grid deletes as well, but I am not familiar with your type of truck, so it may or may not have a heater grid. If you really want some get-up-and-go, try installing some lower gears in the axle/s, which will lower your top speed, but help acceleration. Hope this helps out!

 

[C_Root]

The reasoning behind not really seeing any gains is because right from the factory, ford has more or less made a cold air intake stock. It routes from the throttle body down the tube, to the box, and then the box outlets to just behind the headlight, where cold air is ramming into as you run down the highway. Now it is not a ram air intake. Just to be clear. But! When you install a K&N intake, you are actually not getting any cold air! The filter sits exposed in your engine bay, partially blocked off from the heat by a thermal divider, but it's still getting hot air. Therefore, non-effective. Somewhere on here are actual dyno sheets from members showing no gain, or in a case or two, a loss of 1 - 2 HP. The exhaust, well that's up to debate, the system is already pretty good as is, nobody to my knowledge has reported any gains worth the 400 dollar price tag. Myself, i just cut out the old muffler, clamped in a new Thrush fully welded and called it a day. Your best bet for performance, is to look into I believe its called an SCT tuner. You can get custome tunes for your truck from several venders across canada and the states. This plugs into your OBDII port under the steering wheel, and reflashes your computer with the new tune. This may need to run premium for the best results. Something to look into, alot of guys on here have it and love it. I know its on my wish list for christmas this year...
Cheers
Croot

 

[JohnnyO]

I put a Gibson cat-back on my Sport Trac (same engine as you have). Picked up a little power and 3 mpg on the highway. It's louder and the wife doesn't like it, which means it sounds good. Agree about the (non) cold air intake, unless it comes with a box to seal the cone filter off from the engine compartment. If you want to do anything with the intake, just get a K&N replacement filter and pull the silencer out of the airbox and/or drill some more holes in it.
Also your truck may be a candidate for the throttle cable mod. See the Tech Library.