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Date: Tue, 14 Oct 1997 14:13:54 -0600 (MDT)
From: owner-fordtrucks80up-digest ListService.net (fordtrucks80up-digest)
To: fordtrucks80up-digest ListService.net
Subject: fordtrucks80up-digest V1 #163
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Sender: owner-fordtrucks80up-digest ListService.net


fordtrucks80up-digest Tuesday, October 14 1997 Volume 01 : Number 163



=======================================================================
Ford Truck Enthusiasts - 1980 And Newer Trucks Digest
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=======================================================================
In this issue:

Re: Tailgate Weight ratings? [bigguy ]
RE: Oils for PowerStroke [David Hertzberg ]
Re:need more power! [greg.medert gsa.gov]
RE: 99 F-250,350,450 and 550? answers ["Beaman, James"
more electical questions / supercharger stuff.... [Geoffrey Hoffman
wanna topper? [John Beerbower ]
2.9 fuel injection: ["S. HALL" ]
tranny trouble [Jared ]
RE: info required on 97 Ford Ranger XLT 2WD Ext. cab [Brian Pynn
[none] [Jared ]
OIL [bigguy ]
RE: OIL [David Hertzberg ]
Re: more electical questions / supercharger stuff.... ["David J. Baldwin"]
Re: OIL [Ken Payne ]
flooding in '82 F100 ["Peter A. Richards" ]
Re: info required on 97 Ford Ranger XLT 2WD Ext. cab [Thom Cheney

=======================================================================

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Tue, 14 Oct 1997 08:55:52 -0400
From: bigguy
Subject: Re: Tailgate Weight ratings?

Andrew T Vincitore wrote:

> On my 92 f-250 I am concerned about the capacity of the tailgate when
> open
> and suspended on the cables. I can't find any referance as to the safe
>
> capacity of it. I load and unload pianos using a ramp and the
> combined
> weight of piano,equipment and manpower can get high. Does anybody know
>
> where I can find this out ?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Andrew
>
> (Glad we didn't go with Truck Suck?.... )
> +-------------- Ford Truck Enthusiasts - 1980 and Newer
> --------------+
> | Send posts to fordtrucks80up listservice.net,
> |
> | Send Unsubscribe requests to fordtrucks80up-request listservice.net
> |
> +----------------- Site: http://www.ford-trucks.com
> -----------------+

I have a 94 Ranger and it told me that 500 pounds was the limit in
the owners manual. I don't know what your limit is but I would look in
your manual.

Jim

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 14 Oct 97 07:45:31 PDT
From: David Hertzberg
Subject: RE: Oils for PowerStroke

Chris:
If you are going to use synthetic--which is superior to conventional oil in
many respects (cold weather starting, somewhat better engine performance) but
still needs to be changed, along with the oil filter, as often, since it
breaks down just as quick--you should do it sooner rather than later.
Switching to synthetic after prolonged use of conventional could well lead to
leaks, since the syntehtic is more "slippery" and likely to permeate small
openings which conventional will not. I have an 88 f250 with a 7.3
international diesel and have been using conventional Fleetrite 15w-40 for
years. I used to get it in 5 gal containers, but switched to 1 gallon
bottles; on sale they are about the same price. I'd rather pay $17 for an
oil/filter change (doing myself, of course) than the estimated $45 it would
cost with synthetic. Good luck, David


>Hello fellow listers,
>
>Don't quite have enough miles to do the first oil change but, I am starting
>to do some homework.
>I went to the Ford PowerStroke Diesel web page and there is some mention
>about synthetic oil. Is synthetic worth the extra cost? Is there any
>significant fuel improvement or performance? It seems kind of costly given
>that oil changes are done every 3,000 miles.
>Also, how are you purchasing your oil and how many gallons at a time?
>Local distributor, gas station? Local distributor sells in 1gal, 5gal and
>then 55 gallon. I can't really store the 55 gallon so, that's out of the
>question.
>
>
>Thanks,
>
>Chris
>+-------------- Ford Truck Enthusiasts - 1980 and Newer --------------+
>| Send posts to fordtrucks80up listservice.net, |
>| Send Unsubscribe requests to fordtrucks80up-request listservice.net |
>+----------------- Site: http://www.ford-trucks.com -----------------+


David and Leila Hertzberg
Greystoke Farm
Gaithersburg, Maryland
301-482-0016
ACdhertz us-state.osis.gov


------------------------------

Date: 14 Oct 97 09:17:00 (-0400)
From: greg.medert gsa.gov
Subject: Re:need more power!

- --UNS_gsauns2_2717056638
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------------------------------

Date: Fri, 10 Oct 1997 17:35:58 -0400 (EDT)
From: JOUZA1 aol.com
Subject: need more power!

I am a 18 year old college student with a 93 Ranger. It has
the 4.0
and 5 speed trans. I am looking for some power upgrades in the
300-400
dollar range. They have to be boltons. Somthing local mechanics can
put on
or easier. I already have a K&N and Hypertech Power Module. I am
saving to
put true duals on. Other than those few options what else could I
purchase?
I am looking for a total of around 300 horspower when all done.
Thanks for
all your time to those who reply.


Sincerly
Josh Jouza

------------------------------

Josh, even with a supercharger $2700, reworked heads $600, camshaft
$150, larger throttle body $200, larger mass air $200, exhaust $250,
chip $300 etc and this is doing everything yourself, you will be lucky
to get 280 HP. As for true duals, unless Ford has changed the exhaust
configuration, you will not be able to put true duals on. The 4.0
uses only one oxygen sensor(at least in 91 they did) located in the
y-pipe. This means that the pipes have to come together first and then
split. I think the best you can hope for is to use a dual outlet
muffler after the cats. For $400 you could get a larger mass air and
throttle body and install it yourself. This would probable net you
around 10-15 HP.
Hope this helps. Greg

greg.medert gsa.gov
Atlanta, Ga.

- --UNS_gsauns2_2717056638--

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 14 Oct 1997 09:04:31 -0500
From: "Beaman, James"
Subject: RE: 99 F-250,350,450 and 550? answers

Josh wrote:

>F250 is rated at 8600 # GVW
>F350 is rated at 9700-11000 # GVW
>F450 is rated at 15000# GVW
>F550 is rated at 17500-19000# GVW
>
>4X4 IS available with everthing but 19,000# GVW

Thanks, Josh. Any chance you could tabulate a matrix showing the GCWRs
for the engine, transmission and rear end ratio combinations available
for these, especially the F450 and F550? What I am trying to determine
with this is the tow rating of each.

James Beaman
james.beaman lmco.com
Houston, Texas

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 14 Oct 1997 10:09:34 -0400
From: Geoffrey Hoffman
Subject: more electical questions / supercharger stuff....

At 1:28 AM -0400 10/14/97, warren wrote:
>Look for any Red with a Green tracer, this has 12v when key is on.

well, i am now curious about one last thing? is there a line anywhere that
is powered when the engine is powered, not just the key? i can hook it up
to ao keyed line, but i don't want this to turn on if i just turn on the
car to listen to my radio.

is this what the regular fuel pump does, or does it turn on when the car is
just on (with the engine not running)

thanks for your help.


- --
Geoffrey Hoffman gch2 cornell.edu
Cornell University http://www.ford-trucks.com//lc/lc.php?action=do&link=http://www.pobox.com/~hoffy

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 14 Oct 1997 09:25:59 -0500 (CDT)
From: John Beerbower
Subject: wanna topper?

I rescently bought I 1996 Ford Ranger, It was preowned by an older man and
only had 4,000 miles. I am a college students who drives to drives an hour
and a half every day for school and football practice. The ranger has been
great!! It gets great gas mileage and It looks kool.. Its bright red and
flare side. When I bought the truck the old man had a topper put on it.
the topper is sweet. It matches the truck perfectly. It is has tinted
windows on it. I would leave it on but I want to sell it and get running
boards... since I really don't need the topper. Here's the probem...I have
contacted several topper dealerships...They have all told me that the Small
Ranger flare side toppers are not in demand so no one wants it... Especially
sense it is a spacific color. Does any one know were or how I sould go
about selling this thing!!!????
Thanx
John Beerbower

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 14 Oct 1997 10:02:32 -0600
From: "S. HALL"
Subject: 2.9 fuel injection:

Help! -I've got an 87 ranger supercab 4X4 with the 2.9 ltr
fuel injected V-6 and I've developed an interesting problem:
I split a bottle of one of the gas treatments between my two
gas tanks (mistake number 1 -forward gas tank had only 4 gallons
in it but got enough treatment for 15 gallons) and after running
all the gas out of the rear tank (without incident) I switched
to the front tank and after approximately 2-3 minutes a load
"tapping" came from beneath the hood! -I've had it at three
mechanics (I thought the valves had collapsed!) And they all
reached the same conclusion: my fuel injectors were making the
noise! They said the injectors are OK and the truck drives fine
but I've owned it over a year and I've never heard the injectors
sound like that before. I've put two new tanks of gas in it and put
40 miles on the new gas but I'm having mixed results -it still
knocks some of the time and at high rpm all the time. Will this
go away with time as I run normal gas through it? If theres a

quick fix for it I'd like to know it this sound is driving me CRAZY!
Thats the first (and LAST) bottle of gas treatment I ever run through it!
Thanks for your help, -REALLY enjoying this list...

-Sam H (shall nmsu.edu)

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 14 Oct 1997 11:21:48 -0500
From: Jared
Subject: tranny trouble

I have an 88 Ranger 4X4, about five months ago I lost overdrive and it
would shift at a high rpm. It had 130,000 miles at the time so I decided
to rebuild the whole trans. My uncle did the actual work on the tranny. I
bought a rebuild kit from napa and an intermediate clutch pack and a thrust
washer. We where very clean about our work area. When we had it all
together, it would shift good but I still didn't have overdrive. I then
took it to a Ford dealer to have it checked out. The problem was the
throttle control sensor. I now have the same problem again. What did we
do wrong?

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 14 Oct 1997 09:24:51 -0700
From: Brian Pynn
Subject: RE: info required on 97 Ford Ranger XLT 2WD Ext. cab

Hey Adrian...I think you'll be real happy with your purchase...but I'd
avoid the four banger if I were you. For an extra 300 bucks or so you
can move up to the V6 and be much more satisfied. I have a 97 Ranger
2WD SuperCab with a 3.0L and a 5-speed manual and love it. The bigger
V6 would be even nicer, but Ford doesn't offer it with the Rebel Youth
package (don't want to piss off Splash owners who paid thousands more
for essentially the same truck with some interior goodies). I just put
800 miles on my truck through some steep highway terrain in the
Cascades, and with 5 people in my cab plus a bed full of luggage...I
could still do 70 mph in 4th gear up the steepest grades. No way you'd
do that in the I-4. I'd consider the Rebel Youth package if you can
live with the smaller box--especially since Ford is still including that
package at no extra charge. You get way nicer wheels, flareside fenders
and a much better suspension package. I'd also consider paying the
extra few bucks for the 98...as long as you can live with the new front
end (I couldn't)...because I did notice some drivetrain vibration in my
Ranger under load (3700 rpm at 70 mph in 4th gear uphill). The 98s have
apparently have a much smoother drivetrain. Good luck in your purchase.

> ----------
> From: Adrian A. Polliack[SMTP:kfbell scf-fs.usc.edu]
> Sent: Sunday, October 12, 1997 9:22 PM
> To: fordtrucks80up listservice.net
> Subject: info required on 97 Ford Ranger XLT 2WD Ext. cab
>
> I am requesting some input from 1997 Ford Ranger XLT 2WD 4 Cyl
> Supercab
> trucks owners or folks who know something about them.
>
>

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 14 Oct 1997 11:30:17 -0500
From: Jared
Subject: [none]

To Sam, I had an 88 ranger with the big 2.9. It had the tapping noise for
about two months and then it started to hinder the performance of the
engine. So it was torn apart and found a chunk missing from a valve and a
crack in the head right next to it. I hope that isn't your problem, but I
thought I'd let you know. It cost 1,200 bucks ouch!!!!
Hope you find the problem.
jared

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 14 Oct 1997 13:54:00 -0400
From: bigguy
Subject: OIL

I was wondering what you guys think of oil treatments and synthetics.
Do you think I should put a oil treatment in my 4.0 v6 or a full
synthetic oil, or both, or neither. If you think it is a good idea
which brands should I use.

I am just curious on what kind of experiences have you guys had with
stuff like Duralube, TM8, Prolong, and so on.

Thanks,
Jim

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 14 Oct 97 13:10:19 PDT
From: David Hertzberg
Subject: RE: OIL

Jim: I've had good experience with Tribotech in my diesel--including smoother
running engine and about a 7% improvement in mileage. Of course at 30$ a
bottle its a little expensive, but you only need to ad once every 60K miles
or every 10 oil changes.


>I was wondering what you guys think of oil treatments and synthetics.
>Do you think I should put a oil treatment in my 4.0 v6 or a full
>synthetic oil, or both, or neither. If you think it is a good idea
>which brands should I use.
>
>I am just curious on what kind of experiences have you guys had with
>stuff like Duralube, TM8, Prolong, and so on.
>
>Thanks,
>Jim
>
>+-------------- Ford Truck Enthusiasts - 1980 and Newer --------------+
>| Send posts to fordtrucks80up listservice.net, |
>| Send Unsubscribe requests to fordtrucks80up-request listservice.net |
>+----------------- Site: http://www.ford-trucks.com -----------------+


David and Leila Hertzberg
Greystoke Farm
Gaithersburg, Maryland
301-482-0016
ACdhertz us-state.osis.gov


------------------------------

Date: Tue, 14 Oct 1997 13:32:05 -0500
From: "David J. Baldwin"
Subject: Re: more electical questions / supercharger stuff....

Geoffrey Hoffman wrote:
>
> At 1:28 AM -0400 10/14/97, warren wrote:
> >Look for any Red with a Green tracer, this has 12v when key is on.
>
> well, i am now curious about one last thing? is there a line anywhere that
> is powered when the engine is powered, not just the key? i can hook it up
> to ao keyed line, but i don't want this to turn on if i just turn on the
> car to listen to my radio.
>
> is this what the regular fuel pump does, or does it turn on when the car is
> just on (with the engine not running)
>
> thanks for your help.

Chances are that there is a fuel pump relay that energises the existing
fuel pump. Since these things take a lot of current, they can drain a
battery quickly, so the EEC energises the relay when you move the key to
"IGN" for a half-second or so to allow the fuel system to pressurize,
and then stops the pump. Pump operation resumes when the engine starts.

Conceptually, you could add a relay for your new pump (maybe you already
have one in the kit) and use the voltage going to the stock pump as a
signal to energise the relay for the new pump. This way, you turn on
the auxilliary pump at the same time that you do the other pump, and you
shouldn't have either running when you have the key in "AUX" or "IGN"
without the engine running.

I DON'T recommend running both pumps off of the same stock relay, since
you will probably fry the relay. You MIGHT be able to energise both
relays from the same signal from the EEC, but you increase the load on
the driver in the module this way--with no guarantees on how long the
module will stand this. Running the second relay off the output (to the
stock pump) of the first (stock) relay is the safest: the stock relay
won't even notice that it is driving the extra winding of the second
relay.

Here's a crude "text schematic". I think you might get a better idea of
what I'm talking about from this.

Vign: switched on by key to "IGN"
----
|----|------
| ..|.....|.......
| . | \ Fuel .
| . | / Pump .
| . \ \ Relay.
| ....\.../.......
| | |________________________To EEC FP signal
| |
| |
| |_________________________
| | |
...|....|........ |
. | \ . ----
. \ / Aux . | | Stock
. \ \ Fuel . | | Fuel
. | / Pump . | | Pump
. | | Relay. ----
...|.. --- ...... |
| \ /GND ---
| V \ /GND
| V
----
| | Aux
| | Fuel
| | Pump
----
|
---
\ / GND
V

Sorry about the lousy schematic. You can only do so much with text.
Keep us posted on the project.

- --
Best Regards,

Dave Baldwin
Dallas, TX
- --------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 14 Oct 1997 14:31:17 -0400
From: Ken Payne
Subject: Re: OIL

At 01:54 PM 10/14/97 -0400, you wrote:
>I was wondering what you guys think of oil treatments and synthetics.
>Do you think I should put a oil treatment in my 4.0 v6 or a full
>synthetic oil, or both, or neither. If you think it is a good idea
>which brands should I use.
>
>I am just curious on what kind of experiences have you guys had with
>stuff like Duralube, TM8, Prolong, and so on.
>
>Thanks,
>Jim

Point your browser to http://www.ford-trucks.com/newsinfo.shtml and
follow the "Snake Oil" link. This now famous article is a real eye
opener and I think you'll probably shy away from any additives after
you read it.

Synthetics, on the other hand, have been proven to be "better." Do
they make a difference? Maybe in a high stress environment but I doubt
most of us put our vehicles into those situations.

Synthetics, for the most part, seem to be better for high heat and high
rpm applications. Either of these situations would probably mangle your
stock motor, regardless of the oil.

Worth the cost? I doubt it. Especially if you follow recommended
changed intervals with standard oil (and its not the 3,000 miles that
the oil change places want you to use, its more than twice that high).

I have never seen a chase of oil based failure. I have seen chases
of abuse based oil failure --> someone redlining a stock engine with
regular oil for an entended period of time, letting the oil get low
or letting a big old V8 (they run a little dirtier) go 12,000 miles
before changing the oil. My wife's car (93 Escort whose tiny engine
really has to work hard) gets oil changes every 7,000 miles (and it
has gone higher than that) with normal oil. 130,000 miles on the
engine and it drives like brand new. The only problems that car has
had: freon leaked out of the AC system and throttle position sensor
died under warrantee and it turned out there was a recall for the part.

When would I use synthetics? If I put "nice" cam in the engine, put in
high compression pistons or other such things. For stock applications,
I'd rather keep the spare change in my pocket. Oil manufacturers seem
to be found of using scare tackets like "Isn't it worth the extra $$$$?
Just in case???" or they pour oil out of engines with bogus tests (watch
the engine fans on those commericials, they're going backwards!). Well,
the FTC has already charged both Slick 50 and Splitfire for bogus claims
and Mobile backed off their extended oil change intervals - why is that?

For decades oil, spark plug (there were V plugs 30/40 years ago) and
gas scams have come and gone. None of them have been adopted by car
manufacturers. Corvette is the only case (that I know of) of a car that
comes from the factory with synthetic oil. But then again, look at how
those cars are driven (and it could be a marketing thing).

Ken
Take it for what its worth, my opinion.

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 14 Oct 1997 16:03:34 -0400
From: "Peter A. Richards"
Subject: flooding in '82 F100

i've got a '82 F100 V6 w/ 70K bought used and moved up from Florida to =
the northeast 3 years ago. the engine seems to have been customized to =
run great in warm/hot weather and die when the temperature drops below =
35. ever since i brought it up here, the engine starts to flood out =
after an hour or so of thruway driving at 55mph or higher when the =
outside temperature is below freezing. this is particularly true if a =
strain is put on the engine such as going up a 10 mile hill as on the =
Mass. Pike berkshire section. by the time i get to the top of the =
mountain, the accelerator's mushy, the engine loses power, i take my =
foot off the accelerator and the truck tries to backfire. eventually, =
it stalls out and won't restart unless i give it a long rest.

i've tried a manual choke and two different replacement automatic chokes =
w/ no effect on the problem. the problem gets worse as the plugs get =
dirtier, which happens quickly in winter. the truck runs amazing in the =
summer, but if the problem continues i'll be selling it to one of you =
guys that can take the engine apart for a $1.50 to someone up north, =
alot more for a southern driver ;-)...

the original owner made a mess of the electrical system and i'm thinking =
he pulled something out of the engine that makes it perform in cold =
weather. is the engine missing something that would control the choke =
such as a heat circulator or what? if not choke, bad exhaust =
circulation? any help would be appreciated.

- -p richards

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 14 Oct 1997 09:24:07 -0500
From: Thom Cheney
Subject: Re: info required on 97 Ford Ranger XLT 2WD Ext. cab

Adrian A. Polliack wrote:
>
> I am requesting some input from 1997 Ford Ranger XLT 2WD 4 Cyl Supercab
> trucks owners or folks who know something about them.
>
> I have never purchased a truck before. I am planning to purchase a new 2WD
> compact truck in the next week or so and would appreciate your assistance.
> My basic needs for a truck are for trips to the mountain (mountain biking,
> skiing, camping) say 20-30 times per year, where I can store the bikes at
> the back and trailing a catamaran with trailer (
> time would be for city and freeway driving.
>
> What do you see as the pros/cons of the XLT 2WD Supercab? Does anyone have
> experience with other pick-ups e.g. the Toyota Tacoma, Chevy S10 or GMC
> Sonoma? Any comments would be helpfull. I have done some research on the
> internet and the Ford Ranger surely rates well but I would like to hear it
> from some owners.


I have been driving my '97 Ranger 4X4 Supercab STX for over a month
now. I really like it. I would only recommend the 4X4 if you will use
it. Mileage on my truck (4.0/5spd) is not exemplary, but acceptable.

I previously owned a 1991 2wd Toyota extra-cab. It was a great truck,
but with the 4 cyl. engine, quite underpowered. If you are planning
to tow your cat around much, or want to travel in the mts. at
something close to posted speeds, I would seriously consider stepping
up to a V-6. If you go with the Toyota, you can get a 4 cyl. that
produces nearly 150 hp and that might just work.

I looked at the Tacomas first & have to admit that it is a very nice
truck. My decision came down to value for the money. I am pretty....

---

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