What did you do to your Ranger today? (Part Deux!)

[Uncle Gump]

I had to go get some pressure treated lumber for a front porch face-lift. This lumber yard... you pay inside... then drive into their warehouse and pull up to the bin you need. A couple guys in the warehouse had Rangers over the years and they were all up on my truck. Rangers don't always get the respect they deserve... so it was cool they were digging my Ranger.

Looking at it I really need to level it up a bit. I just hate to fool with it because it rides good and no tire wear...

 

[Blmpkn]

I had to go get some pressure treated lumber for a front porch face-lift. This lumber yard... you pay inside... then drive into their warehouse and pull up to the bin you need. A couple guys in the warehouse had Rangers over the years and they were all up on my truck. Rangers don't always get the respect they deserve... so it was cool they were digging my Ranger.

View attachment 78991

Looking at it I really need to level it up a bit. I just hate to fool with it because it rides good and no tire wear...

A little level and that thing would be preeetty much perfect looking. I really like the cap with the big solid windows.

 

[Ranger850]

Looking at it I really need to level it up a bit. I just hate to fool with it because it rides good and no tire wear...

Looks fine to me. maybe it's the slant of the driveway???

 

[Roert42]

If anything the back looks low, but it's hard to tell in that picture.

Oddly enough, the only time anyone has come up to me to talk about my truck was in a lumber yard as well.

 

[Blmpkn]

Gotta look at the wheelgap

 

[ekrampitzjr]

Today I changed the thermostat. being laid up with sciatic nerve really sucks
Took truck for a little drive to make sure thermstat was working and put a few miles on this motor 350 miles so far

You still using the factory plastic thermostat housing? Please say no.

 

[Roert42]

Am I the only one that hasn't had an issue with the plastic thermostat housing?

Mine don't leak at all, but everyone seems to think they are the devil....

 

[Ranger850]

Gotta look at the wheelgap

OH, I see now, the rear needs to be lowered about 2". no lift needed.

 

[ekrampitzjr]

Am I the only one that hasn't had an issue with the plastic thermostat housing?

Mine don't leak at all, but everyone seems to think they are the devil....

What I understand is that the original will crack and suffer a catastrophic coolant leak sometime after 100K miles with little or no warning. It's not just Fords with the 4.0; some Chrysler products have the same issue.

A number of Ranger owners made it past 150K miles before the original cracked. Apparently you won't normally have a small leak, at least not for long, before the whole lower housing cracks.

A Simmons aftermarket aluminum housing is on my 2011 Ranger now. It was installed as preventive maintenance and not because of any problem yet. Peace of mind is nice.

If you're going to change a thermostat on your 4.0, consider doing the housing at the same time while it's apart. Might as well change the timing chain tensioners in the heads as well, since the thermostat housing blocks the driver's side tensioner, but you'll have removed that.

 

[Blmpkn]

OH, I see now, the rear needs to be lowered about 2". no lift needed.

oooh yooouuuuu

 

[Uncle Gump]

OH, I see now, the rear needs to be lowered about 2". no lift needed.

 

[Ranger850]

oooh yooouuuuu

I ❤ you two, too

 

[Roert42]

I've got three 4.0s either close to or well over 100Kmiles without issue, although one is an OHV.

Might as well change the timing chain tensioners in the heads as well, since the thermostat housing blocks the driver's side tensioner, but you'll have removed that.

I've also heard this, but wasn't an issue when I changed the tensioners on either of my SOHC 4.0s.

 

[Vindictus]

You still using the factory plastic thermostat housing? Please say no.

Hell no, I took the metal one on old motor and put it on the new one

 

[Vindictus]

Am I the only one that hasn't had an issue with the plastic thermostat housing?

Mine don't leak at all, but everyone seems to think they are the devil....

Mine leaked from the day i bought it from the dealer here. they refused to fix it. Said they don't fix small leaks under warranty.
After fighting with them I changed it my self.
I made an appointment with the owner of the dealership. Took the cracked housing with me and showed him and asked why his employees would not fix it. Lets say he was not happy he asked how lomg it took me and what paid for new housing and reimbursed me for the part and my time. And the guy who refussed to fix it, got fired.