small-list-digest Friday, July 31 1998 Volume 02 : Number 213



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Ford Truck Enthusiasts - Ranger, Explorer, Bronco 2 and Aerostar
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In this issue:

Re: FTE Small - 1998 Ranger Rear-end tweak
Re: FTE Small - 1998 Ranger Rear-end tweak
FTE Small - To remove or not to remove?
FTE Small - Peeling Paint, Again!
Re: FTE Small - Peeling Paint, Again!
Re: FTE Small - 1998 Rander Rear-end tweak
Re: FTE Small - Aftermarket camshafts for 2.8 L
FTE Small - Re: 1998 Rander Rear-end tweak
FTE Small - Ranger Clutch Replacement
FTE Small - "Orange Tag" Transmission
Re: FTE Small - 1998 Rander Rear-end tweak
Re: FTE Small - Peeling Paint, Again!

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Date: Thu, 30 Jul 1998 08:37:45 -0500
From: "David Steelman"
Subject: Re: FTE Small - 1998 Ranger Rear-end tweak

I posted a couple of messages about a similar noise on my 98 Ranger 4x4.
After the dealer tightened bolts on the transmission cross member,
tightened the u-bolts and lubed the slip yoke, it got a little better. But
now, about 1k mi after the work was done, the noise is back. Could be that
the u-bolts are loose again, but that seems odd after only 1k.
I suppose its possible that this could be "normal," but I'd hate to think
that and find out later that it is something that needs repair.
I was thinking of adding traction bars to my truck someday anyway. Maybe
I'll do it sooner and see if it helps. Has anyone else put bars on their
Rangers? Any recommendations? I've heard that traction bars will limit
suspension travel, is there a way around this?

Thanks,

Dave
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Date: Thu, 30 Jul 1998 10:41:43 -0500
From: "David Steelman"
Subject: Re: FTE Small - 1998 Ranger Rear-end tweak

I just called and talked to a guy at James Duff about their traction bars
(their original bars are pretty much universal for Rangers and Broncos) and
told him about the noise and what the dealer had done. He said that the
dealer should not have simply tightened the u-bolts because when they
loosen, they stretch. (Or when you tighten them, they stretch. Something
like that, anyway.) He seemed to think that tightening the bolts was
actually dangerous and the dealer should have replaced them instead.
This would explain why the noise went away after the bolts were tightened
and then came back after only 1k. It makes sense that if a u-bolt has been
stretched it wouldn't function properly and would loosen up pretty quick.
I'll see if I can persuade the dealer to replace them. If that solves the
problem, I'll let you know.

Dave
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Date: Thu, 30 Jul 1998 11:13:56 -0700
From: "André E. Benguerel"
Subject: FTE Small - To remove or not to remove?

My Ranger is approaching 30K
miles and it's first major
service. I am considering
three options in replacing the
air filter -

1. A Ford Motorcraft
replacement filter

2. A K&N Filtercharger kit

3. A S&B Powerstack filter,
removing the air box

The question being, what's
better - cold air from the air
box or unrestricted air
through a large filter? I
currently have two temperate
sensors monitoring the air box
temperature and the engine
compartment ambient air
temperature. (located on the
air box towards grill) So far,
the difference in temperature
has been 3-5 degrees cooler in
the air box while cruising and
10-20 degrees cooler in
traffic or idling.

Future plans include a 75mm
MAF, Motorsport Headers, and
a chip.

Has anyone installed a S&B
Powerstack filter? Is it a
noticeable difference? Also,
does anyone know the formula
for volumetric efficiency?
(H.P. gains for colder air)

Anyone, anyone, Bueller...,
Bueller....

Andre E. Benguerel

1995 Ford Ranger 4 X4 SC
4.0L V6, OD Auto, Xlt

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Date: Thu, 30 Jul 1998 11:22:24 -0700
From: "André E. Benguerel"
Subject: FTE Small - Peeling Paint, Again!

> >Here's one...
> >
> >Yesterday while washing my
> >bright metallic blue Ranger I
> >found the paint in the drip
> >rail above the Supercab window
> >peeled away down to the
> >primer. The section is about
> >.25" wide and 3-4" long and is
> >between the roof line and the
> >drip rail "filler" piece. I
> >have NEVER washed my truck
> >with a high pressure sprayer
> >and wash and wax it regularly.
> >I'll be calling the dealer
> >soon but first I wanted to see
> >if anyone else has had this
> >happen.
>


Parker,

Thanks for the reply. The
paint is not on a body sealer
seam, I have seen this on
other vehicles though. It's on
the roof sheet metal. And I
have NEVER used a high
pressure sprayer on my truck.
Has anyone else had problems
with there paint flaking off?

Andre E. Benguerel

1995 Ford Ranger 4 X4 SC
4.0L V6, OD Auto, Xlt

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Date: Thu, 30 Jul 1998 14:11:34 -0500
From: Cory Sticha
Subject: Re: FTE Small - Peeling Paint, Again!

André E. Benguerel wrote:


> Has anyone else had problems
> with there paint flaking off?

Andre,

I have the same problem on my '92 Ranger. Right where the rail attaches
to the body, the paint has peeled away from the sheet metal and primer.
On the rest of the truck the paint is in great shape, no peeling or
fading. Just above the doors is the only place.

Cory Sticha
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Date: Thu, 30 Jul 1998 16:04:36 +0000
From: Garr&Pam
Subject: Re: FTE Small - 1998 Rander Rear-end tweak

Randy Collins wrote:
>
> Awhile ag I posted a message asking about a "thump" coming from the rear of
> a 1998 Ranger 4x4 with 410 gears. I finally found the culperate and was
> wondering if anyone else has experienced this:
>
> The rear-end twists forward when taking off from a stop or slow roll. The
> dealership finally looked at it and said it is normal for the rear-end to
> do this. Has anyone ever heard of this?
>
> == FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

Yep. I have! Not on a ranger but on the Lightning list lots of guys have
had this problem. Solved with rancho bars!
Hope this helps
Chris
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Date: Thu, 30 Jul 1998 16:09:25 +0000
From: Garr&Pam
Subject: Re: FTE Small - Aftermarket camshafts for 2.8 L

Alan Gustafson wrote:
>
> Next month I'll be pulling the 2.8L engine out of an 85 Ranger 4x4 that
> I recently acquired, in order to do a light overhaul. Since the
> camshaft will be removed from the engine, I'm considering replacing it
> with an "RV grind" version to improve low end torque a bit.
> Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find a parts store that shows a
> performance cam listing for this engine. My question is, has anyone
> come across a decent cam for this engine?
>
> ______________________________________________________
> > == FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

try racerwalsh they have whatever you need.
http://www.ford-trucks.com//lc/lc.php?action=do&link=http://www.racerwalsh.com
Good luck
Chris
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Date: Thu, 30 Jul 1998 16:59:07 EDT
From: BFunk33 aol.com
Subject: FTE Small - Re: 1998 Rander Rear-end tweak

In a message dated 7/30/98 4:21:21 AM US Mountain Standard Time, owner-small-
list-digest ford-trucks.com writes:

> Subject: FTE Small - 1998 Rander Rear-end tweak
>
> Awhile ag I posted a message asking about a "thump" coming from the rear of
> a 1998 Ranger 4x4 with 410 gears. I finally found the culperate and was
> wondering if anyone else has experienced this:
>
> The rear-end twists forward when taking off from a stop or slow roll. The
> dealership finally looked at it and said it is normal for the rear-end to
> do this. Has anyone ever heard of this?

If you can, do this:
In you mind, see the left rear wheel area of your truck.
When you apply torque to the wheel, it turns, trying to do two things: move
the truck forward, and the earth backwards. Because the mass of the truck is
miniscule compared to that of the earth, the truck moves.
However, the axle is not rigidly attached to the truck frame; it's attached
through the suspension system.
Yours usesleaf springs in the rear, so there are few places where the axle can
twist, if everything is tight ans ship-shape. However, it is possible that the
springs themselves are wrapping up (imagine them wrapping around the axle the
opposite way the wheel is turning). If this is happening, there are solutions
ranging from new springpacks to torque bars (extra half-springs to prevent the
wrap-up).
The thunk itself is probably from a loose or junk shock that is unable to
handle the springs unwrapping.

Bill
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Date: Thu, 30 Jul 1998 18:16:44 -0500
From: Mike Harms
Subject: FTE Small - Ranger Clutch Replacement

I have a 89 Ford Ranger XLT 4X4 2.x V6 that is about due for a clutch
replacement. The truck has 136,000 miles on it and the clutch has just
now started to slip a bit under heavy acceleration as the tach climbs
above 3k. If anyone has done this before, what should I look out for?
From the manuals I have looked at the only catch has been the
recommendation of a special tool for removing the piston from the
hydraulic cylinder for the clutch. Is a special tool really necessary?
Otherwise the manuals make it look straight forward. Are the manuals
leading me down a path I won't be able to return from?


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Date: Thu, 30 Jul 1998 23:04:23 -0400
From: Ken Payne
Subject: FTE Small - "Orange Tag" Transmission

Forward for: "Philip Watson"

First I have tried for two days to find an email address to ask FMC this =
question. Do you know it?=20
Second I brought my 95 2wd Explorer for a 30K mi. transmission service =
yesterday and was told I have an "Orange Tag" transmission. According =
the Service Tech, only a few of these were assembled with special =
lifetime filters and fluid (additives?) in certain 2wd Explorers, =
pickups and Crown Vics and there was a TSB on it. The "Orange Tag" says =
"Do Not Service, Lifetime filter etc." My 2wd has a 4.0L, limited slip =
and HD towing package. As I'm particular about preventative maintenance =
and tow a small utility trailer, we weighed the pros and cons of =
changing the fluid and filter before the warranty expiration and decided =
to put it off until at least the 36k mi. mark which for me will occur in =
Sept '98. Any suggestions, recommendations or further info on this =
particular transmission? or an email address for Ford? I've searched the =
typical places for it; Lycos, Infoseek, etc, FMC home page, Ford Motor =
Credit, Ford Motorsports etc., to no avail.


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Date: Fri, 31 Jul 1998 00:41:31 EDT
From: HYDROSMITH aol.com
Subject: Re: FTE Small - 1998 Rander Rear-end tweak

In a message dated 98-07-29 21:44:43 EDT, you write:

>

I have seen a lot of lifted trucks do that but never a stock one.
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Date: Fri, 31 Jul 1998 00:49:05 EDT
From: HYDROSMITH aol.com
Subject: Re: FTE Small - Peeling Paint, Again!

In a message dated 98-07-30 14:25:31 EDT, you write:

>Yesterday while washing my
> >bright metallic blue Ranger I
> >found the paint in the drip
> >rail above the Supercab window
> >peeled away down to the
> >primer. >>

What year is your truck? Many '80's Ford full size trucks were peeling because
of a new type of primer ford was using. Talk to the guys on the 80-up list....

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