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Return-Path: Date: Wed, 14 Jan 1998 04:46:36 -0700 (MST) From: owner-fordtrucks-small-digest To: fordtrucks-small-digest Subject: fordtrucks-small-digest V2 #14 Reply-To: fordtrucks-small Sender: owner-fordtrucks-small-digest fordtrucks-small-digest Wednesday, January 14 1998 Volume 02 : Number 014 ======================================================================= Ford Truck Enthusiasts - Ranger, Explorer & Bronco 2 Visit our web site: http://www.ford-trucks.com/ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe, send email to: fordtrucks-small-digest-request with the word "unsubscribe" in the body of the message. For help, send email to the same address with the word "help" in the body of the message. ======================================================================= In this issue: Fog/Driving Lights [PDupont105 ] Re: fordtrucks-small-digest V2 #13 [Bill Funk ] Re: Rnager Lift [mark fitzgerald ] Test [Ken Payne ] Re: Fog/Driving Lights [Midwest96 ] Extended Warranty [John Bartin ] Re: Extended Warranty [Uri Blumenthal ] Re: wer'e up to catalytic converters now [bmrickman Re: fordtrucks-small-digest V2 #13 [Gardner ] U joint troubles with lift ["Mike Wiatt" ] Re: Fog/Driving Lights [Jerad Heffner ] Re: CBs: antennas and mounting [Jerad Heffner ] Re: Rnager Lift ["Lare/Eric" ] Re: U joint troubles with lift [mark fitzgerald ] Re: Rnager Lift [mark fitzgerald ] Re: CBs: antennas and mounting [Midwest96 ] Re: U joint troubles with lift [Diana Slyter ] ======================================================================= ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 13 Jan 1998 08:07:06 EST From: PDupont105 Subject: Fog/Driving Lights Hello, I have an '87 BroncoII and am interested in getting Fog/Driving Lights for it. I was thinking of the combination - one light split into Fog & Driving lights. For those of you who currently have Fog and/or Driving lights where is the best place to mount these? What is the best kind to buy? I want to avoid lights that will vibrate a lot because of cheap/poor mounting brackets (annoys me to no end). Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Patrick '87 Bronco II (88,000mi) '88 Ford Taurus (98,000mi) ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Jan 1998 07:30:29 -0700 From: Bill Funk Subject: Re: fordtrucks-small-digest V2 #13 > From: Gardner > Subject: Re: Why 2 plugs? > > Bill Funk wrote: > ... > > Hmmm... > > Interesting concept, there. > > However, I doubt that works. There's not anywhere near the right > mixture > > for a spark plug to ignite in the exhaust gases; if there were, > they'd > > burn on the power stroke. > > In reality, the two plugs serve several purposes. They allow higher > > performance, and at the same time, lower emissions. Higher > performance, > > because at higher RPMs, and with a squish head, one plug won't fire > the > > air/fuel charge completely without knock, while two plugs, firing > from > > seperate places, produce two flame fronts, burning the charge > faster; > > this also allows higher compression, which lowers emissions. The > firings > > may well be staggered, to fit the characteristics of the head, but I > > > don't know about that (they often are in high-RPM race engines). > > > > Bill Funk > > The 2.3 is designed for low end power not high rpms, what you are > referring to is how the mazda rx7 rotary motor is desined with two > plugs > on the same side! The 2.3 has them on opposite sides of each other and > > have two seperate coils one to fire on compression stroke and one to > fire on exhaust! I have to admit, I'm at a loss to think of why anyone would make an engine that was so inefficient that it would waste so much of it's air/fuel charge that there could be enough for a spark plug to fire it on the exhaust stroke! The 2.3 is designed for low end power??? My 460 is designed for low end power; the 2.3 must rev up to make power; it's far too small to be a torque engine. What is considered low RPM here? I'll say this: if the Ford 2.3 engine does indeed have a spark plug to fire during the exhaust stroke, the engine is far too inefficient for anyone to even consider. The *only* way such a plug could reduce emisions would be to actually ignite a fire. If there's enough air/fuel left after the power stroke to do that, then there's a *very* serious problem with that engine design. Bill Funk ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Jan 1998 06:54:28 -0800 (PST) From: mark fitzgerald Subject: Re: Rnager Lift My 4x4 84 ranger sees some great off road about two times a week as well as acting as a daily driver full time. About once a month about 12 of us do a three day trip up to the white mountain region for some great wheeling. I've rebuilt the front end 4 or 5 times, i honestly have lost count. At forst i thought it might have been the way i was doing it, maybe a flaw in my work or something, but after having it done proffessionaly and watching the whole time, such was not the case. Under full articulation or, the angle of the joints proves too much for the front end, and something always gives. If there's 19,000 miles on your front end i'd at least check it out, because i don't think you have too much farther to go before it ruptures. Another thing that might add to my front end wearing down so quickly is the added torque and horsepower of the engine. I'm running a 302 in the ranger right now...so..go figure.:) fitzy - ---Lare/Eric wrote: > > I've got a '94 Splash SC 4x4 w/ a Trailmaster 4" lift with the same spacer > type (drop down brackets) setup for the axle, radius arms, and sway bar > ..... 32x11.5R15's ... no u-joint trouble (or any other for that matter) > after 19,000 miles .... this truck sees moderate off-roading about twice a > month in PA ...... from what I see under my truck I could go with 33's with > this same lift .... may go w/ 35's after a 2" body lift next summer ... I'm > not sure if my '94 could be directly compared to an '84 or a two wheel > drive, though. > > Eric S. > _________________________________________________________ DO YOU YAHOO!? ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Jan 1998 10:29:25 -0500 From: Ken Payne Subject: Test ADMIN test ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Jan 1998 11:34:54 EST From: Midwest96 Subject: Re: Fog/Driving Lights I have PIAA Fogs and am extremely happy woth them. I have never used Hella? but many people on the list seem happy with those also. I went through two sets of KC before switching to PIAA and wouldn't recommend them at all. I picked fog because they looked brighter, and I run them during the day and they work fine. I briefly had covers on the headlights, and I raised the fog lights to cover just behind the headlights and they worked great. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Jan 1998 12:41:10 -0600 From: John Bartin Subject: Extended Warranty Has anyone shopped recently for extended warranty deals with dealer or aftermarket? If so, where did you find your best deal and what type of coverage (drive train, bumper to bumper as original, or something in-between) and what price did you find? Which Ford truck was it for? Thanks John ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Jan 1998 13:48:22 -0500 (EST) From: Uri Blumenthal Subject: Re: Extended Warranty John Bartin says: > Has anyone shopped recently for extended warranty deals with dealer or > aftermarket? If so, where did you find your best deal and what type of > coverage (drive train, bumper to bumper as original, or something > in-between) and what price did you find? Which Ford truck was it for? Price-wise and term-wise (number of years, amount of miles) it looks like an ESP sold by insurance companies is th best. For example, Warranty Gold offers several ESP's, from really sh**ty to something decent named "Diamond ESP". They claim that their any dealer in USA is legally required to accept their ESP. On the other hand, an ESP from a dealer is going to be accepted by any dealership of that manufacturer. That's what I chose for myself, having 75,000 miles/6 years; instead of 100K/7years with Warranty Gold. Both "PremiumCARE" from Ford, and "Diamond ESP" from Warranty Gold seem to cover bumper-to-bumper (except several maintenance items, of course). Warranty Gold is on "www.edmunds.com" page, and Ford's ESP is of course on "www.ford.com". - -- Regards, Uri uri - -=-=-=-=-=-=- ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Jan 1998 16:35:41 -0600 From: bmrickman Subject: Re: wer'e up to catalytic converters now "When the converter is heated and extra air is pumped into it by an air pump, contact with the catalysts causes the hydrocarbons and the carbon monoxide to be converted into harmless carbon dioxide and water." "Petroleum is the principal source of hydrocarbons. The smaller hydrocarbon molecules form gases, intermediate molecules form liquids, and the larger molecules are solids at room temperature." this was shamelessly copied from my encyclopedia. "hydrocarbon" is just a fancy word for "gasoline". too many 'hydrocarbons' in the converter will cause overheating and damage. this often results from a poorly tuned or malfunctioning engine. catalytic converters burn the unused fuel from the engine, or i guess you could say that they "convert" it to a simpler chemical composition. (i like 'burn' better) Hey Rodney, are you keeping up with all of this? B Rickman bmrickman 91 Explorer 4X4 EB AOD 81 F100 2wd 351w AOD ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Jan 1998 18:02:32 -0500 From: Gardner Subject: Re: fordtrucks-small-digest V2 #13 Bill Funk wrote: > > > From: Gardner > > Subject: Re: Why 2 plugs? > > > > Bill Funk wrote: > > ... > > > Hmmm... > > > Interesting concept, there. > > > However, I doubt that works. There's not anywhere near the right > > mixture > > > for a spark plug to ignite in the exhaust gases; if there were, > > they'd > > > burn on the power stroke. > > > In reality, the two plugs serve several purposes. They allow higher > > > performance, and at the same time, lower emissions. Higher > > performance, > > > because at higher RPMs, and with a squish head, one plug won't fire > > the > > > air/fuel charge completely without knock, while two plugs, firing > > from > > > seperate places, produce two flame fronts, burning the charge > > faster; > > > this also allows higher compression, which lowers emissions. The > > firings > > > may well be staggered, to fit the characteristics of the head, but I > > > > > don't know about that (they often are in high-RPM race engines). > > > > > > Bill Funk > > > > The 2.3 is designed for low end power not high rpms, what you are > > referring to is how the mazda rx7 rotary motor is desined with two > > plugs > > on the same side! The 2.3 has them on opposite sides of each other and > > > > have two seperate coils one to fire on compression stroke and one to > > fire on exhaust! > > I have to admit, I'm at a loss to think of why anyone would make an > engine that was so inefficient that it would waste so much of it's > air/fuel charge that there could be enough for a spark plug to fire it > on the exhaust stroke! > The 2.3 is designed for low end power??? My 460 is designed for low end > power; the 2.3 must rev up to make power; it's far too small to be a > torque engine. What is considered low RPM here? > I'll say this: if the Ford 2.3 engine does indeed have a spark plug to > fire during the exhaust stroke, the engine is far too inefficient for > anyone to even consider. The *only* way such a plug could reduce > emisions would be to actually ignite a fire. If there's enough air/fuel > left after the power stroke to do that, then there's a *very* serious > problem with that engine design. > > Bill Funk > > +---------Ford Truck Enthusiasts - Ranger, Explorer & Bronco 2--------+ > | Send posts to fordtrucks-small > | List removal information is on the web site. | > +---------- Visit Our Web Site: http://www.ford-trucks.com/ ----------+ I think peak torque is at 2400 rpm's and peak horsepower is at 4000...no real low but pretty low for a 4 cylinder. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Jan 1998 16:42:01 PST From: "Mike Wiatt" Subject: U joint troubles with lift I have heard so many different stories about the U-joints. I know someone who has lifted the rear 2" and has had trouble. I also know someone who went up 4" and has had no trouble in over 40,000 miles. Who knows. The symptom (besides worn joints) is vibration under initial acceleration. Their are 3 solns to this problem: 1)Replace the shaft with a one piece unit (the best) 2)Make a new crossmember for the center support bearing(OK) 3)Try to lower the center support with shims(It works) I guess the best thing to do is not worry about it until you have problems (because if you havent sinned and god is on your side you might not have any problems). Well I get the truck back on Wed at about 2 PM so I'll let you know what happens. - --------------------------------------------- pyro152 '94 Ranger Supercab 4x2 4.0 5 speed The Ford Ranger Pages http://www.ford-trucks.com//lc/lc.php?action=do&link=http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Downs/7894 - --------------------------------------------- ______________________________________________________ ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Jan 1998 22:03:49 -0500 From: Jerad Heffner Subject: Re: Fog/Driving Lights I have an '84 Ranger, and I took the grill guard approach. It looks great, and does a decent job. Location is an important factor -- you need the lights as low as possible to shine UNDER the fog, which mine don't. Mine shine INTO the fog, like the headlights, and therefore they don't make good fog lights at my location. Lower, maybe, I can't say 'cuz i don't know. The same for the amber lights. I have seen amber lights at work, but it's been so long I don't remember. Ack! Am i really getting so old I can't remember? No, i was too young! :) I have a set of KC driving lights (clear, not amber) and they do a good job of lighting up the road. If I needed to, i could drive without the headlights, but the long range of the headlights is important 'cuz i's be overdrivg the driving lights. They do not rattle (or not yet at least) and have fared me quite well. They have the flip-up cover for daytime protection. That can be annoying if you're driving as it gets dark and have the covers down. The inlcuded switch also glows green, and is rather bright at night (but provides for a romantic glow! Uhm, sorry! Just kiddin'! ) They came from Wal-Mart and cost me $24.97 + tax. So far, so good. Hope this helps in some way. Jerad Heffner '84 Ranger 4x4 PDupont105 wrote: > Hello, > I have an '87 BroncoII and am interested in getting Fog/Driving Lights for it. > I was thinking of the combination - one light split into Fog & Driving lights. > For those of you who currently have Fog and/or Driving lights where is the > best place to mount these? What is the best kind to buy? I want to avoid > lights that will vibrate a lot because of cheap/poor mounting brackets (annoys > me to no end). > Any advice would be greatly appreciated! > Patrick > > '87 Bronco II (88,000mi) > '88 Ford Taurus (98,000mi) > +---------Ford Truck Enthusiasts - Ranger, Explorer & Bronco 2--------+ > | Send posts to fordtrucks-small > | List removal information is on the web site. | > +---------- Visit Our Web Site: http://www.ford-trucks.com/ ----------+ ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Jan 1998 22:13:16 -0500 From: Jerad Heffner Subject: Re: CBs: antennas and mounting I've got the antenna installed now. One more question: what is an average range for a CB? What is good range? I put a 48" fiberglass on the rear bumper on the driver's side. Looks great; performancewise? I can't be sure yet, but I get between 1/2 - 2 miles on receiving. Yesterday, my father on a 102" metal whip and I had trouble sending and receiving at a 3/4 mile distance with the same radio. Shouldn't it be farther than that? Did I make a mistake somewhere? Do you think it might be possible to put dual 48" fiberglass antennas on the rear bumper and get better reception? There is a person here in my town who has a powerful base, and i can pick it up quite well. She is about 2-3 miles from my house, maybe more. I have yet to use the signal strength to track her down! Hehehe. This is the farthest I think I have been able to receive. Transmitting may be different; I haven't talked to her! Opinions? Suggestions? Scoldings? Thanx Jerad Heffner Midwest96 wrote: > In a message dated 98-01-08 20:08:02 EST, you write: > > > work? > > Jerad > >> > > There just clips - On the end of the coax, you add a mounting piece, and the > antenae slips down, twists slightly and locks into place. I call them spring > detachments because the peice that fits to the end of the coax is coiled metal > that looks like a spring. Does that help? > +---------Ford Truck Enthusiasts - Ranger, Explorer & Bronco 2--------+ > | Send posts to fordtrucks-small > | List removal information is on the web site. | > +---------- Visit Our Web Site: http://www.ford-trucks.com/ ----------+ ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Jan 1998 20:29:18 -0500 From: "Lare/Eric" Subject: Re: Rnager Lift Thanks fitzy .... what sort of 'check' for the front end do you speak of? What should I look for in worn (or nearly worn-out) u-joints? I must admit that my drivetrain would definitely not see the stress that yours would, since I am dealing w/ a 4.0L (that I rarely find a reason to push to its limits - I save the pushing for the boony-bashers and dirt bikes) - as opposed to your 302. I suppose it stands to reason that those skimpy u-joints in the Dana 35 TTB would be the weak link in this drivetrain. Eric S. - '94 Splash SC 4x4 4.0L - -----Original Message----- From: mark fitzgerald To: fordtrucks-small Date: Tuesday, January 13, 1998 10:04 AM Subject: Re: Rnager Lift >My 4x4 84 ranger sees some great off road about two times a week as >well as acting as a daily driver full time. About once a month about >12 of us do a three day trip up to the white mountain region for some >great wheeling. I've rebuilt the front end 4 or 5 times, i honestly >have lost count. At forst i thought it might have been the way i was >doing it, maybe a flaw in my work or something, but after having it >done proffessionaly and watching the whole time, such was not the >case. Under full articulation or, the angle of the joints proves too >much for the front end, and something always gives. If there's 19,000 >miles on your front end i'd at least check it out, because i don't >think you have too much farther to go before it ruptures. Another >thing that might add to my front end wearing down so quickly is the >added torque and horsepower of the engine. I'm running a 302 in the >ranger right now...so..go figure.:) > >fitzy > >---Lare/Eric wrote: >> >> I've got a '94 Splash SC 4x4 w/ a Trailmaster 4" lift with the same >spacer >> type (drop down brackets) setup for the axle, radius arms, and sway >bar >> ..... 32x11.5R15's ... no u-joint trouble (or any other for that >matter) >> after 19,000 miles .... this truck sees moderate off-roading about >twice a >> month in PA ...... from what I see under my truck I could go with >33's with >> this same lift .... may go w/ 35's after a 2" body lift next summer >... I'm >> not sure if my '94 could be directly compared to an '84 or a two wheel >> drive, though. >> >> Eric S. >> > >_________________________________________________________ >DO YOU YAHOO!? > > >+---------Ford Truck Enthusiasts - Ranger, Explorer & Bronco 2--------+ >| Send posts to fordtrucks-small >| List removal information is on the web site. | >+---------- Visit Our Web Site: http://www.ford-trucks.com/ ----------+ > ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Jan 1998 19:41:21 -0800 (PST) From: mark fitzgerald Subject: Re: U joint troubles with lift Dana 44 conversion baby....definitely the way to go for me:) fitzy - ---Mike Wiatt wrote: > > I have heard so many different stories about the U-joints. I know > someone who has lifted the rear 2" and has had trouble. I also know > someone who went up 4" and has had no trouble in over 40,000 miles. Who > knows. The symptom (besides worn joints) is vibration under initial > acceleration. Their are 3 solns to this problem: > > 1)Replace the shaft with a one piece unit (the best) > 2)Make a new crossmember for the center support bearing(OK) > 3)Try to lower the center support with shims(It works) > > I guess the best thing to do is not worry about it until you have > problems (because if you havent sinned and god is on your side you might > not have any problems). > > Well I get the truck back on Wed at about 2 PM so I'll let you know what > happens. _________________________________________________________ DO YOU YAHOO!? ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Jan 1998 19:46:25 -0800 (PST) From: mark fitzgerald Subject: Re: Rnager Lift To chec the front u joints, make sure they're not under load and just reach up and give em a shake. you'll feel the play if there's any, plus, it'll sound almost like a clunking noise....very distinct. Putting the 302 in the ranger definitely pointed out the weak links in the ranger suspension, but then again, who wouldn't expect almost doubling the engine capacity to have that effect?:) I love it....wouldn't trade it for the world..well....that is except for maybe a big block or something farther down the road:) fitzy - ---Lare/Eric wrote: > > Thanks fitzy .... what sort of 'check' for the front end do you speak of? > > What should I look for in worn (or nearly worn-out) u-joints? > > I must admit that my drivetrain would definitely not see the stress that > yours would, since I am dealing w/ a 4.0L (that I rarely find a reason to > push to its limits - I save the pushing for the boony-bashers and dirt > bikes) - as opposed to your 302. I suppose it stands to reason that those > skimpy u-joints in the Dana 35 TTB would be the weak link in this > drivetrain. > > Eric S. - '94 Splash SC 4x4 4.0L _________________________________________________________ DO YOU YAHOO!? ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Jan 1998 23:32:20 EST From: Midwest96 Subject: Re: CBs: antennas and mounting In a message dated 98-01-13 22:16:04 EST, you write: range for a CB? What is good range? I put a 48" fiberglass on the rear bumper on the driver's side. Looks great; performancewise? I can't be sure yet, but I get between 1/2 - 2 miles on receiving. Yesterday, my father on a 102" metal whip and I had trouble sending and receiving at a 3/4 mile distance with the same radio. Shouldn't it be farther than that? Did I make a mistake somewhere? Do you think it might be possible to put dual 48" fiberglass antennas on the rear bumper and get better reception? There is a person here in my town who has a powerful base, and i can pick it up quite well. She is about 2-3 miles from my house, maybe more. I have yet to use the signal strength to track her down! Hehehe. This is the farthest I think I have been able to receive. Transmitting may be different; I haven't talked to her! Opinions? Suggestions? Scoldings? Thanx Jerad Heffner >> Your receiving depends on the weather, as much as the mounting. I'm sure some will disagree with me, but when I can get people from S.C. here in MI on a fairly regular basis, and have trouble getting friends 2-3 miles away at other times, I doubt it's the mounting. In my experience, I've gotten better reception with duals, but your transmit range will remain about the same. Duals make you less directional, but until you add a booster (completely illegal, so we're being hypothetical here - theoretically it's about $1 per watt if you wanted one) your transmit range will remain the same. I've had no problems using dual three foot fiberglass, eighteen foot split coax, and 4 watts, but I nver try to transmit more than a mile in most cases. Ask one of the antannae guys, but I have only had problems with 102" 60, 48, and 36 have worked best for me. Those are just personal observations, not professional opinions... Criag {Midwest96 ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 14 Jan 1998 01:17:19 -0600 (CST) From: Diana Slyter Subject: Re: U joint troubles with lift Before lifting, you might want to check the u-joint manufacturers literature which usually gives specs for maximum angularity, driveshaft length, etc. Also, exceeding the manufacturers recomendations doesn't just wear out the u-joints prematurely; the vibrations set up can destroy transfer cases and differentials too. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- dianas __ __ ____ ___ ___ ____ dianas / / \ / / / / /__ / \/ /___ /------------------------------------------------------------------------------- On Tue, 13 Jan 1998, Mike Wiatt wrote: > I have heard so many different stories about the U-joints. I know > someone who has lifted the rear 2" and has had trouble. I also know > someone who went up 4" and has had no trouble in over 40,000 miles. Who > knows. The symptom (besides worn joints) is vibration under initial > acceleration. Their are 3 solns to this problem: > > 1)Replace the shaft with a one piece unit (the best) > 2)Make a new crossmember for the center support bearing(OK) > 3)Try to lower the center support with shims(It works) > > I guess the best thing to do is not worry about it until you have > problems (because if you havent sinned and god is on your side you might > not have any problems). > > Well I get the truck back on Wed at about 2 PM so I'll let you know what .... To access the rest of this feature you must be a logged in Registered User Of Ford Truck Enthusiasts
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