Windshield Washer/coolant upgrade

[Mark_88]

I needed a replacement for my windshield washer bottle because the pump didn't work (I'd just got this one and thought it was good). I looked through the entire j/y one days and couldn't find a jug system like the original on an 88 or similar Ranger.

What I found, however, was the one from an older F-150 works great...but I needed to make a small bracket to hold on the one side and drill a few holes...but it is twice the size of the original equipment so I'm kinda glad I figured this out...because I hate having to fill up that reservoir in the winter every other day or more...

Here's a tiny pic of the jugs...they only stick out slightly more than the original...sorry, but I had to make the image small so I didn't have to edit it to be able to upload...

 

[JamesC]

ya my 86 ranger the washer reservoir is less then a liter. (quart for you Americans) I'm building a bigger reservoir now. In the winter I used to drive on the highway and have to stop every hundred kilometers to refill the damn thing.

 

[CopyKat]

That F150 ones is the same as the Gen 2 ranger/BroncoII.

I have one on my truck

 

[Mark_88]

ya my 86 ranger the washer reservoir is less then a liter. (quart for you Americans) I'm building a bigger reservoir now. In the winter I used to drive on the highway and have to stop every hundred kilometers to refill the damn thing.

That was definitely an added bonus in this case...and I've had days when I had to fill the jug twice too...the standard equipment is way too small...

That F150 ones is the same as the Gen 2 ranger/BroncoII.

I have one on my truck

It must have been a swap too...I've looked in just about every vehicle in the Gen I and II and they were all the same...unless someone changed it...but, who knows, maybe with an off-road vehicle they came larger...

 

[baxtej44]

I needed a replacement for my windshield washer bottle because the pump didn't work (I'd just got this one and thought it was good). I looked through the entire j/y one days and couldn't find a jug system like the original on an 88 or similar Ranger.

What I found, however, was the one from an older F-150 works great...but I needed to make a small bracket to hold on the one side and drill a few holes...but it is twice the size of the original equipment so I'm kinda glad I figured this out...because I hate having to fill up that reservoir in the winter every other day or more...

Here's a tiny pic of the jugs...they only stick out slightly more than the original...sorry, but I had to make the image small so I didn't have to edit it to be able to upload...

i've been happy with the capacity on my 88 ranger xlt 4x4... even during winter in nebraska

 

[CopyKat]

It must have been a swap too...I've looked in just about every vehicle in the Gen I and II and they were all the same...unless someone changed it...but, who knows, maybe with an off-road vehicle they came larger...

The one I have is from a 1990 BroncoII. I've got one from a 90'ish F350 and it's the same. I also have a spare one from an 89 BroncoII I had and it's the same one. My 1991 ranger I use to have had the same.

I don't see where it was swapped. In my 87 BroncoIV it was swapped because I did it.

 

[Shran]

My '86 doesn't have any of that stuff...never could get the sprayer to work so I just got rid of it. The coolant overflow was full of dead mice anyway.

I think the one in my '88 holds about half a gallon.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

My 91 ranger has that coolant/washer fluid combo aswell.

 

[Mark_88]

Maybe I should clarify a bit...originally the truck had a combo coolant/washer bottle in the same place...

The one in the pic is from an F-150 and is actually twice the size of the original and takes a full litre. Newer Rangers already have a larger jug but it is on the passenger side from what I've seen and won't adapt easily to the earlier Rangers...

If you look closely the F-150 jugs have two caps that you can pop up to fill the tanks...the original one only had one cap that was on the left side of the tank for the windshield washer...the coolant box had a plug that you had to pry out with a screwdriver...I was going to take a pic of the two of them to show the differences, but figured there are so many variations that some people may actually have the one I have already...

Just thought if anyone wanted to upgrade from the half litre windshield washer bottle to one that takes a full litre it is easy enough to do...with a small bracket for the right side and a few screws...

 

[CopyKat]

Don't even need a bracket. I used a couple of long screws and 2 old nuts. The nuts are enough to space it off the inner fender panel so that it doesn't ride up on the radius.

If you look close you can see the old stocker in the background

 

[Mark_88]

Ah ha!

But it looks like you took the fender off...or reached up behind the inner fender...I was going to do that but the bracket was way easier...

Yes, I can see the old stock one in the background...I was amazed at how small the jugs were on the old one...

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Maybe I should clarify a bit...originally the truck had a combo coolant/washer bottle in the same place...

If you look closely the F-150 jugs have two caps that you can pop up to fill the tanks...the original one only had one cap that was on the left side of the tank for the windshield washer...the coolant box had a plug that you had to pry out with a screwdriver...I was going to take a pic of the two of them to show the differences, but figured there are so many variations that some people may actually have the one I have already...

Thats exactly what I'm talking about, that is what gen2 rangers have. 4.0L rangers anyway.

 

[cocoasranger]

The pump in the washer reservoir can be easily replaced in about 20 minutes and costs only about $20.00 at the parts store. That's what I did to fix a dead one and it worked fine. Check that you are getting 12v at the pump electrical connector when the button is pushed to rule out other problems before buying the pump.

 

[Mark_88]

Thats exactly what I'm talking about, that is what gen2 rangers have. 4.0L rangers anyway.

That may be standard equipment on the 4.0 or anything other than the 2.3...I guess I was only looking in trucks with the 2.3 for that particular part because I figured everything would interchange and be pretty much the same...

I have noticed lately from looking at other engine bays for other options that there can be quite a difference between different models, years, and options available...

The pump in the washer reservoir can be easily replaced in about 20 minutes and costs only about $20.00 at the parts store. That's what I did to fix a dead one and it worked fine. Check that you are getting 12v at the pump electrical connector when the button is pushed to rule out other problems before buying the pump.

I'd thought about this option but now I'm glad I didn't go that route...the whole box cost me $10...but I did spend an hour or so walking...so for my $10 I got a jug AND a good workout...

 

[cocoasranger]

Can't argue with saving money and staying fit at the same time.