What should I do to my 1999 Ford Ranger?

[Kommando SS]

Truck:Ford Ranger 1999, 2wd, 2.5 liter engine; Manual

Got the truck from my cousin and I am trying to fix it up. I want it for racing (when someone wants to race) and some offroad (cause we own property).

Things I have already done to it:
Exhaust (Thrush Glasspacks)
and some wide rims (trying to get mud tires on the back though).

I am having problems with my transmission and I don't know if it is my release bearing or what (it makes a grinding noise when I shift or even when I am at a complete halt.

I am just wondering what kind of engine, transmission, etc should I put it.
If you could please help me, I would appreciate it.

 

[LittleBigFoot]

drop a 427SOHC in it if you wanna race!

Off road capeable and streety worthy and on opposite ends of the spectrum. You're gonna loose performance on either side when building up either side.

W/ a 2wd I'd say a long travel kit, maybe some deaver travel springs in the rear. Tube bumpers, a few inches of lift, and 33x12.5s

 

[Kommando SS]

drop a 427SOHC in it if you wanna race!

Off road capeable and streety worthy and on opposite ends of the spectrum. You're gonna loose performance on either side when building up either side.

W/ a 2wd I'd say a long travel kit, maybe some deaver travel springs in the rear. Tube bumpers, a few inches of lift, and 33x12.5s

How much would this cost, if I may ask?

 

[LittleBigFoot]

Depends. You askin about the 427 or the long travel?

http://www.dixonbrosracing.com/content/blogsection/2/6/


Shit gets pricey real quick

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

like little big foot said, off roading and (on road) racing are generally opposites. a truck that does one well wont do the other well and vice versa.

as for what you should do with your truck...well thats a pretty open question given that we know nothing about you and what you like to do. do you like rock crawling, drag racing, mud, touring, trails, rally, baja....? what kind of budget are you working with? is an engine swap in order? if so do you want heavy and torquey or light and revvy? what about axles/suspension? lowered with slicks to keep the CG low and hug the corners? long travel 2wd for baja? or solid axle swap for maximum wheel travel?

you dont need to answer each of these individually...im just trying to show you how many thousands of options are opened up by asking a question like "what should i do with my truck". you may decide to just fix the truck up for a cheap, reliable daily commuter....maybe with a few cheap power mods and a locker in the back.

 

[Kommando SS]

Eh well I live in South Georgia and yeah.
I just like to race when someone wants to race me.
Then if I have to go through a mud hole when I need to, I will.

Eh well I work at a grocery store lol. Still in high school. But I'll have to save for stuff.

 

[almostclueless]

Eh well I work at a grocery store lol. Still in high school. But I'll have to save for stuff.

you don't say....

 

[blackbronc]

Leave it alone and only race other 2.5s.

 

[Ranger5.0]

dont race on the street for starters lol. build it for the trails and go hog wild.

 

[Kommando SS]

Well I really want to fix it up. You don't see modified rangers around here much- or at all.
When someone with a v8 wants to race, I want to at least know I will keep up with them or beat them. I don't want to be in the horizon when they look in their mirror.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

the only way you are going to keep up with a v-8 swap is to.....do a v8 swap (a few thousand bucks for a decent build).

i would start by fixing things that are wrong with the truck before i started modifying it. a good tune up is a nice place to start.

 

[Kommando SS]

Yea. I need to see if my release bearing is screwed up. Then I have to have someone put on my spark plugs and wires as well as my fuel filter and yeah, my power steering pump.

The truck is so compact, you can't hardly fix nothing. You have to carry it to the freakin mechanics to get it worked on. It's bs.

 

[281Ranger]

Yea. I need to see if my release bearing is screwed up. Then I have to have someone put on my spark plugs and wires as well as my fuel filter and yeah, my power steering pump.

The truck is so compact, you can't hardly fix nothing. You have to carry it to the freakin mechanics to get it worked on. It's bs.

You need to learn how to do basic maintenace on your truck before you even think about modifying it. If you think it's tight in there now, what do you think it's going to be like with a bigger engine?

 

[Kommando SS]

You need to learn how to do basic maintenace on your truck before you even think about modifying it. If you think it's tight in there now, what do you think it's going to be like with a bigger engine?

Yeah I know, I know. I just don't know what to do with it. That's why I am asking yalls opinions, and then I will see which one would do good.

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

take it to a mechanic for a tune up?? if you cant do this by yourself you will be looking at way more than you can afford if you plan on making it race worthy...... as for mods, i would put some bumpers on it, maybe a 2-4" suspension lift, some larger but not humongus tires, and then throw some lights on it. as for making a 2.5l fast enough to keep up with a v8, you will be wasting you time polishing a turd. dont get me wrong, its a good motor, but it shines brightest as a daily driver. now swaping a 4.0l or even a 4.6l in would get you closer to being able to "race" and would also open up options for further mechanical masturbation. but as you said, get that trans fixed so the noise goes away and see if you hear any more. then just keep fixing the noises until there are none left. i have a feeling once you do this you will be much more in touch with your trucks personality and you will know what kind of mods you will want to do to it. oh yeah, welcome to TRS, but ill warn you now this place is very addicting...............