New guy with stock 94 Ranger,, need mods?

[alabamafrog]

Okay I’m brand new here so I bet I’m fixing to ask questions that you guys have answered a thousand times so feel free to direct me to old posts.

Anyways I have a 94 Ranger ext cab 4.0L 5 speed 4x2 that I bought new. It has around 200K miles on it and has been the best truck I have ever owned. It has had little to no problems and is 99% stock. It is in excellent condition and still drives and feels like new. The tranny was replaced under warranty at 50K miles. She still consistently gets 21mpg and does not use or leak any fluids at all. The only thing I have done to it so far is I have cleaned out the dual converters. I had to clean the MAF sensor last year and it probably needs a new one. The clutch is also on borrowed time. Before I do anything alse to it I want to learn what all can be improved on so that I don’t waste time or money replacing stock parts if there is better stuff out there.

So what do yall recommend for mods if any?

I use it for a work truck and pull a 12’ enclosed cargo trailer. I want first reliability, second economy and lastly power. I already have a highly modded powerstroke for my power needs.

 

[adsm08]

The 4.0/M5OD is considered to be the golden boy of stock Ranger power trains. Sounds to me like you have a good solid truck.

 

[nitrofan1]

Well, you have a War and Peace sized booked to choose what you want to do. If you want to keep going as it has for 16 years any "hard parts" go Motorcraft. I've been in auto parts for 25 years and have yet to see even branded aftermarket parts beat Motorcraft's quality. As for improving what is there performance wise will depend on what you have in mind and how much you want to spend.

Do worry bout asking questions. You have one of the best knowledge bases here at TRS with geez....a thousand forum junkies? Get an idea of what you want to do to your baby and we'll do our best to help.

 

[alabamafrog]

Well right now I’m thinking I need to replace the MAFF so I was wondering if there were better ones or performance ones. Also Should I do some sort of DIY air filter/intake system while I’m at it?

I know she is going to need a clutch eventually so while I got the tranny out should I do anything there like headers or better clutch or….

I have been on powerstroke forums for years and have been deep into my powerstroke and I know there are basic mods that need to be done to all the 99-03 powerstrokes and I was wondering if there was a list of helpful mods for the 94 4.0

 

[loneranger04]

helping hand

if your just getting into things welcome to the addiction. as for performane and reliability here is a few sites that we all frequent.

stufforyouranger.com

morranaracing.com

JBA makes a good set of headers for the ranger if thats what your into.

if your looking for computer and tuner upgrades Edge, Diablo, Jet. are all good starts there is a wide variaty of things you just have to make out whats the best that fits your way of driving. i will recommend the underdrive pullies and a set of rockers. you will be amazed at what just those items will do.

 

[alabamafrog]

I finally got cruise control working again by changing the amplifier board that’s behind the glove box.
I put a new MAF on it this morning I got from AutoZone for like $70 so that should fix my low power at full throttle issues.

The engine is in like new condition, uses no oil, no leaks, oil stays clean right up to the 3,000 mile oil change time. Compression is still same as when new. I figure I have another 10-15 years and couple hundred thousand more miles before there should be any need to go into the engine.
I like the stock gear range, seems to work pretty good on the interstate and for towing and I get a consistent 21mpg so I wont change that unless the rear-end breaks. The clutch is still working but I have felt it slip a time or two when flooring it in 3rd gear so its getting ready to go.
I will look into the underdrive pulleys,
Anything else I should look at?

 

[adsm08]

turbo's are always fun.

 

[alabamafrog]

turbo's are always fun.

Yes they are, I'm running a Dominator D-66 on my powerstroke and pushing 30 psi boost!
But the Ranger is supposed to be my economy truck!

 

[adsm08]

That was a joke.

I've thought about turboing the ranger, but not gonna happen any time soon.

 

[Hopman]

Frog, I'm also the proud owner of a '94 Ranger.

Just watch out for rust around the rear fender lips.

 

[alabamafrog]

That’s a nice thing about Alabama. I have a 69 F-100 that doesn’t have a speck of rust on it anywhere. The 94 Ranger looks like new underneath. The only rust is very light surface rust on some of the factory exhaust. My neighbor is from NY state and he said when he was a kid living there that cars only lasted about 5 years before they rusted out.

 

[Hopman]

Oh yes rust in the northern parts of the USA can be a PITA hands down.

At one point I had a '91 Olds Shilouette that was still going strong until the shock towers rotted out. The engine had over 250,000 on it and was still running strong too!