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

[Curious Hound]

I checked all my fluids in the 97, and then double checked my parts stash for doing a tuneup. The check engine light was on (it’s normal state), so I stopped by AutoZone to plug it in and see what the code is this time.

The code stated “replace intake manifold gasket.“ So I went and looked at the YouTube video, and damn dear had a heart attack. Looks like you have to take everything off the top of the engine and from around the engine, except the trailer hitch to get at it

Before I do all that, anybody have any suggestions? Is there something else that would lead to this error code? I’m going to reset it and double check it a couple times before I dive in. BTW, the truck is running like a top.!

Sounds to me like a typical vacuum leak. Try the usual technique for narrowing that down. Spray something like brake cleaner around typical places where a vacuum leak could occur. Idle rpm should rise when you spray near the leak.

 

[scotts90ranger]

That or just the MAF is dirty, what code was it?

Found a small bolt in my '97's tire today, going to think about swapping it to a spare and taking it in tomorrow...

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

so you’re saying the AC in the red Ranger wasn’t running when you pulled out the harness? I rest my case.

Considering the new condenser was smashed into the radiator… I’m going to say it probably wasn’t working when I pulled the harness….

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

So good news, I don’t have a ground somewhere. I temporarily added a ground until I can trace out the problem. With that resolved, I now have working AC in the Choptop finally. Also worked some more on getting the canvas fitted on the Choptop.

 

[XLTeal]

Went to Austin this weekend to pick up this minty set of OEM 15s from a guy on Marketplace and get them mounted with a set of Destination LE3s. Got a 6/10 enough clean + polish job to take pics this morning. Going from the old rock-hard Venezias + 14s to this feels like a new truck, and I got to put them through their paces in the random monsoon that spawned north of Waco on the way home.

Attached the pinstripe pic because I noticed the grille matches the top pinstripe, and the two-tone of the wheels matches the double pinstripe, which I love.

Also celebrated 47k on the way to breakfast Sunday morning (belated happy Father's Day, fathers)

I gotta start my build thread asap.

 

[scotts90ranger]

That's a spring chicken for 31 years old!

I got the tire pulled last night and put on one of my previous tires that were the same thing but different wheels. I thought about plugging the tire myself but it sounded like work and figured the tire shop probably won't charge me and I was right so for free I had the pros do it... it's back on

Picked up a set of aggressive 31's for the '00 Explorer for tractor pulling, they're like 40% tread and a bit aged but $100 for 4 isn't horrible, 15's are hard to find anymore...

 

[Jazzer]

A couple of years ago I replaced my sway bar mounting bushings and sway bar links with the poly type. (‘07 2wd coil)

I was in the middle of ball joint and tie rod end replacement and since then I’ve been run ragged finding the source of a slight groan in the PS front.

All suspension and steering components were newish and tight. A few days ago I took apart and greased ( Sil-glyde) all the PS sway bar links and mounting bushings. The noise was about 80% gone.

This morning I replaced them all with the original type. Lesson learned from a lot of research- rubber bushings don’t get grease, poly bushings do. Even greased, poly bushings might make some noise.

 

[Maritime Drag Racing]

Out of the garage after winter hibernation and back on the trailer. Taking it home tomorrow and going to Test and Tune on Friday.....

 

[MT_PLS]

Changed the oil and filter and flushed the power steering fluid.

 

[1984RESTOMOD]

Sought out a mechanic to finish my project so it's safe on the road - lack of knowledge has brought it to a standstill; still left to do are:

• install brake lines, booster, master/slave cylinders
• fuel lines, electric pump, and regulator
• exhaust
• body and engine harness
• radiator and plumbing

I'm sure this will be an expensive endeavor to have someone else do but I've stockpiled parts for the remaining work and I want to drive it badly so it's justified in my opinion.

 

[superj]

thats a heck of a large carb you have on that 302. i hope you guys are able to tune it to run correctly. the 68 gt mustang with 302 came with a 390 holley

 

[1984RESTOMOD]

thats a heck of a large carb you have on that 302. i hope you guys are able to tune it to run correctly. the 68 gt mustang with 302 came with a 390 holley

Fixing to find out; I don't doubt plans will change between now and test drive

 

[superj]

Keep an eye on ebay and you could get a factory 390cfm for cheap. Thats how i got mine. One rebuild kit and some cleaner and i was smoking tires and getting better gas mileage

 

[superj]

Mounted the offroam phone base. It fit perfectly, someone did some thinking on this deal. I also dug through the garage and found one of the boxes of bulletpoint arms and junk from the wrangler. I wanted a short arm. Now i need to find an actual phone clamp in the missing bulletpoint box

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Local brewpub (Missing Link Brewery) had a car cruise. Rain chased some away but then Choptop was there and I was reppin TRS.