New Ranger in MA

[MarksRanger]

Greetings from the Northeast all...name's Mark...proud owner of an '09 Ranger I got new in August last year...gotta love 'Cash for Clunkers'...after turning in my (beat to Hell) '01 CVPI & picked up the 2.3L 5sp. 2WD XLT...pics will be coming soon...no mods so far except a Pioneer Premier DEH-P710BT...wanted something w/Bluetooth built in b/c talking on the phone & trying to work the 5sp. is a PITA, not to mention VERY dangerous...probably won't mod the motor, drivetrain, suspension, etc til the warranty is up but doing the stereo now b/c I'm MECP certified so I can do all the audio/security myself without flak from the dealer...anyways...wanted to introduce myself b/c I definitely want to kick the whole truck up a notch when the warranty's up & would like to get some feedback about getting better power & handling without any major changes...would like to keep the 2.3L & hopefully get 200-250 hp without forced induction...also how I might get better handling...the truck is strictly on-road so I can lower it but don't want air or hydraulic & don't wanna go too low as MA is (how did my cousin put it?) "The Land of SUV-Eating Potholes", lol!...but I'm also here to help others in their quest for their dream ride...no longer in the mobile electronics business but have 9 yrs install experience working on all manner of cars, the most expensive being an '04 Ferrari 575M...what a fun ride that was delivering it back to the dealer (insert maniacally evil laugh) LOL!!! So any suggestions/input is greatly appreciated...I'd like to do most of the work myself but my experience is limited to bolt-on mods & I have zero welding experience but I'm fairly mechanically-inclined & do have access to just about any tool I need short of a lift...hope to hear from everyone!

 

[MarksRanger]

Greetings from the Northeast all...name's Mark...proud owner of an '09 Ranger I got new in August last year...gotta love 'Cash for Clunkers'...after turning in my (beat to Hell) '01 CVPI & picked up the 2.3L 5sp. 2WD XLT...pics will be coming soon...no mods so far except a Pioneer Premier DEH-P710BT...wanted something w/Bluetooth built in b/c talking on the phone & trying to work the 5sp. is a PITA, not to mention VERY dangerous...probably won't mod the motor, drivetrain, suspension, etc til the warranty is up but doing the stereo now b/c I'm MECP certified so I can do all the audio/security myself without flak from the dealer...anyways...wanted to introduce myself b/c I definitely want to kick the whole truck up a notch when the warranty's up & would like to get some feedback about getting better power & handling without any major changes...would like to keep the 2.3L & hopefully get 200-250 hp without forced induction...also how I might get better handling...the truck is strictly on-road so I can lower it but don't want air or hydraulic & don't wanna go too low as MA is (how did my cousin put it?) "The Land of SUV-Eating Potholes", lol!...but I'm also here to help others in their quest for their dream ride...no longer in the mobile electronics business but have 9 yrs install experience working on all manner of cars, the most expensive being an '04 Ferrari 575M...what a fun ride that was delivering it back to the dealer (insert maniacally evil laugh) LOL!!! So any suggestions/input is greatly appreciated...I'd like to do most of the work myself but my experience is limited to bolt-on mods & I have zero welding experience but I'm fairly mechanically-inclined & do have access to just about any tool I need short of a lift...hope to hear from everyone!