Looking for some advice

[MJRicky]

I currently have a 98 RWD ranger and I'm looking to do some work to it. My mechanic experience is minimal. Pretty much swapping parts is the extent of my experience but that's all I'm looking to do anyway. Trouble shooting was never my strong suit. I want to do some work on her I just don't know where to start.

If I load anything heavy (I'd say about 500+ lbs) in the bed it makes this grinding noise if I go over a bump. I've replaced the rear shocks and that did not solve the problem. Any ideas?

Other than that, I just want to know what you would start swapping out on a completely stock truck.

Any input would be appreciated.

 

[RangerFabWorks]

Look at your driveshaft. See if there are any shiney spots from something rubbing against it.

 

[pjtoledo]

put the 500 lbs, or 2 big friends in the back. start bouncing it and look for what's making the noise.

legal disclosure: do it while parked



the rear spring mounts rust, be sure to inspect them.

what size wheels? stock, or larger?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

put the 500 lbs, or 2 big friends in the back. start bouncing it and look for what's making the noise.

legal disclosure: do it while parked

Or just do weight (not people) and use a gopro

 

[MJRicky]

put the 500 lbs, or 2 big friends in the back. start bouncing it and look for what's making the noise.

legal disclosure: do it while parked



the rear spring mounts rust, be sure to inspect them.

what size wheels? stock, or larger?

I'm more than willing to stick my head under a squeaky truck with people bouncing in the back. The spring mounts look fine though. Wheels are stock.

 

[JerryC]

what size wheels? stock, or larger?

I was guessing it's hitting the tires too.

 

[MJRicky]

Other than the noise from the weight, what parts should I start upgrading first? I want to put a cold air intake, get larger tires, lift it a few inches, and then some cosmetic stuff. Is there any other parts I could swap out for a couple more HP and where should I start?

 

[pjtoledo]

start by posting the full specs on what you have.
the "experts" will gladly tell you how to spend your money!!

 

[97RangerXLT]

Forget the cold air intake, your truck already has one from the factory.

There are no real performance mods that you can do that will give you any real gains. A better exhaust might net you a few hp, but nothing you will notice while driving it.
Tune it up, change the plugs and wires, make sure the tires are aired up to proper pressure. That will give you the biggest gains.

Do a search in the tech library on "zip tie mod". That might help you.

Other than that, grease the muffler bearings and top off the blinker fluid

AJ

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 4 while sitting in my underwear

 

[MJRicky]

Other than that, grease the muffler bearings and top off the blinker fluid

AJ

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 4 while sitting in my underwear

??? back in the motor pool we would send the new PFC's looking for "blinker fluid". They'd actually go looking for hours. Good times. But thanks for the advice.

Exact specs are 98 super cab flareside splash
3.0 L v6 RWD
If I'm missing anything just let me know

 

[pjtoledo]

tranny, what rear axle, what ratio, what rear brake size, coils or torsion up front.

how fast do you want to go? how fast can you afford to go???
do you want economy, speed, offroad, safety, big tires, or something else?
or are you like the majority of us and say " I own a ranger, therefor I must spend money on it"

 

[cp2295]

Springs are probably worn, and probably the bushings too. I bet your tires are rubbing the fender well take a peak up in there

 

[cp2295]

If you want the cheapest and best upgrade for your truck as far as feeling more power swap in a lower ratio axle from the junkyard. Not gonna give your truck any more power but will certainly feel that way. Only problem then is your revs will be higher on the freeway and so will your gas consumption. Don't waste time on cold air intakes, platinum diamond iridium whatever the hell plugs or any of that. Only way to get good power out of a 4.0 is to get into the internals. Port job, cam, pistons, all that good stuff.

One thing that will add seat of the pants power is a muffler, don't change the pipe diameter or put In a high flow cat as you will rob any low end power you gained from doing just the muffler.

Headers aren't gonna do much for a stock motor either and oh man are they a pain to install/remove