small-list-digest Tuesday, August 11 1998 Volume 02 : Number 224



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

Re: FTE Small - RANGER VIBRATION
Re: FTE Small - FTE Small-How do we re-wire fog lights?
Re: FTE Small - Re: Ranger with SOHC
Re: FTE Small - A little lift survey
re: FTE Small - ranger with SOHC??
Re: FTE Small - FTE Small-How do we re-wire fog lights?
FTE Small - 4.0L performance article in Truckin'
Re: FTE Small - Re: Ranger with SOHC
Re: FTE Small - A little lift survey

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Date: Mon, 10 Aug 1998 06:43:52 EDT
From: Mudwizer aol.com
Subject: Re: FTE Small - RANGER VIBRATION

i had just replaced my rear ujoint this past summer and it was still doing it
so im not sure what it is...but thanks.
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Date: Mon, 10 Aug 1998 08:57:58 -0400 (EDT)
From: EI - Michael Ioco
Subject: Re: FTE Small - FTE Small-How do we re-wire fog lights?

> From: KNBD87D prodigy.com (MR JOSH J TENNEY)
> Date: Thu, 6 Aug 1998 08:48:51, -0500
> To: small-list ford-trucks.com
> Subject: FTE Small - FTE Small-How do we re-wire fog lights?
>
> Hey guys,
>
> I know its been some time, but I was curios on how to rewire fog
> lights so you can use them with your parking lights. Some of y'all
> have done it with explorers, but has anyone tried it with a '98
> Ranger?
>
> Josh
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Did you get a reply on this Josh? I'm still interested in doing it as well...

(thanks for last week's informative reply on tire sizes too!)


Mike in Michigan
98 Ranfer 4x4 SC ORP
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Date: Mon, 10 Aug 1998 09:44:39 -0600
From: Dave Armbruster
Subject: Re: FTE Small - Re: Ranger with SOHC

Is the Ranger based on the same platform as the Explorer now? I know up to
'97, it and the Aerostar shared a common platform and the only thing really
common was sheetmetal on pre-'93 Rangers and Explorers (pre-'95 I think).
But, I do remember hearing that the front suspension is the same in both
now, so that may not be true regarding 1998 and '99 Rangers. When I
ordered mine in Aug '96 (1997 model), the sheet came back with the SOHC.
But, upon delivery, it had the regular 4.0L, all the SOHCs were allocated
to Tauruses. I also thought there was some issue with the engine bay in
the 1997 Rangers being too narrow, which you'd think Ford would have
corrected if they intended to eventually offer 4.0 SOHC or 5.0L engine, or
even better, the 4.6/5.4 V8s.

Dave
Denver, CO

>>i've been hearing about the ranger having the same tranny as the explorer-
>>the 5 speed automatic- but was wondering if the 4.0 SOHC engine was also
>>available?
>
>You'd think so since they're both built on the same platform, but the 4.0L
>SOHC is not yet an option, and I don't think they plan on offering it in
>1999 either.
>
>Jim Bielecki

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Date: Mon, 10 Aug 1998 16:25:02 -0500
From: "David Steelman"
Subject: Re: FTE Small - A little lift survey

Thanks to all who sent info regarding my last post about the tire
size/speedometer question.

Now, while I am sitting patiently in my truck waiting for more
manufacturers to come out with lift kits for 98 Rangers, I'd like to hear
your opinions on any lift kits that you might have used.

If you have lifted a Ford Ranger, no matter what year, let me know whose
kit you used and what your opinions are. This will be my first experience
with lifting a truck so I'd appreciate any stories, praises or complaints
you can send my way.

Also, the kits I have seen so far from Superlift and Trailmaster are both
4" kits. Has anyone heard anything about smaller lifts for the 98's? I
could live with 4", but I'd really think I'd be happier with 2-3".


Thanks to all.
Dave
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Date: Mon, 10 Aug 1998 17:53:17, -0500
From: KNBD87D prodigy.com (MR JOSH J TENNEY)
Subject: re: FTE Small - ranger with SOHC??

No SOHC in the Ranger yet :-(

Josh
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Date: Mon, 10 Aug 1998 18:56:28 -0500 (CDT)
From: "Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ"
Subject: Re: FTE Small - FTE Small-How do we re-wire fog lights?

You (EI - Michael Ioco) wrote:
> > From: KNBD87D prodigy.com (MR JOSH J TENNEY)
> > Subject: FTE Small - FTE Small-How do we re-wire fog lights?
> >
> > I know its been some time, but I was curios on how to rewire fog
> > lights so you can use them with your parking lights. Some of y'all
> > have done it with explorers, but has anyone tried it with a '98
> > Ranger?
>
> Did you get a reply on this Josh? I'm still interested in doing it as well...

Whatever you do, use relays to switch the juice! Run a switch into the
cabin if you need but use it to turn on power to the relay which is
rated for at least 2* the current draw of the lights. So, a light
made of two 35W lamps (2*35=70W, 70/13.8V = 5.1Amps) will need at
least a 10A relay... If your needs exceed about 20A, use a relay
for each lamp or lamp group. I suggest using crimp connectors with
heat-shrink. If the application is exposed to road dirt/water, use
of water-proofed connectors is warranted. You can get these
commercially (they come pre-packed with silicone) or you can make
your own by injecting a dab of silicone into the ends of the HS
before shrinking it. Also makes the connection bit more vibration-
proof. Use plastic split-loom wherever you expect abrasion and be
sure to use as many (nylon) cable-ties as necessary. This will
prevent "surprises" down the road.

FUSE EVERYTHING! FUSE EVERYTHING! FUSE EVERYTHING!

:-)
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Date: Mon, 10 Aug 1998 21:33:49 -0400
From: "Anthony Rifici"
Subject: FTE Small - 4.0L performance article in Truckin'

Pages 244-246 of the October issue of Truckin features a bolt-on
build-up of the 4.0L V6. They use a bunch of goodies from "4.0 Liter
Performance". They bolt on headers, a 63mm throttle body, a 73mm mass
airflow sensor, Accel plug wires, a Superchip, and their own K&N filter kit.
The claim is that by adding these components, you can increase the
horsepower to 210 and the torque by 30%. They fail to mention how much 50
HP costs. The filter kit seems incredibly easy to fabricate at home for
anyone with a metal lathe. It leaves the stock air tube and just makes an
aluminum adapter for MAF to fit a large K&N cone.

Check it out

Tony
94 Ranger Supercab, 4.0L, 5-Speed

========>> GO BUCKS, Preseason #1 (USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll)

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Date: Mon, 10 Aug 1998 22:49:35 EDT
From: Jckarkka aol.com
Subject: Re: FTE Small - Re: Ranger with SOHC

In a message dated 98-08-10 11:46:02 EDT, darmbruster milehigh.net writes:


'97, it and the Aerostar shared a common platform >>
I don't know where the story about the Ranger and Aerostar sharing a common
platform came from . They have very little in common.

They more or less shared engine availability, in that they both at one time
in their history had 2.9, 3.0, and 4.0 l engines

They both have A4LD automatic transmissions, and some early aerostars
shared the (Mitsubishi?) 5 speed manual.

They both were rear wheel drive and used 7.5 and 8.8 inch Ford rear
axles. This is where the similarity ends.

The Aerostar is unibody construction (has no separate frame), while the
Ranger has a separate body on frame construction.

The Aerostar has coil springs in the rear, while the Ranger has leaf
springs.

The Aerostar had a SLA front suspension mounted to a bolt on
crossmember / subframe, nothing like the twin I beams with radius arms of the
Ranger from the same era.

In the automotive industry, a platform is generally thought of as the frame or
underbody and suspension members. While the Aerostar and Ranger may share
similar powertrains, the "platforms" are totally different.

The Ranger (and BroncoII) have more in common wtih the Explorer than the
Aerostar, as the basic frame and suspension layout of the Ranger, Explorer,
and Bronco II are similar (but different from the Aerostar).

Also, the SOHC 4.0 L engine is not now, nor ever was optional or available in
the Taurus. All of the SOHC 4.0 L engines go into Explorers. The Taurus uses
the old Vulcan 3.0 l (standard), and a DOHC version 0f the more modern 2.5 (/
3.0) l engine found in the Contour.

My guess is that Ford has a production capacity constraint on the SOHC 4.0,
and prefers to dole them out to the more profitable Explorer than the thinner
margin Ranger. (That's how I would run my business!)

Alan K.







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Date: Mon, 10 Aug 1998 23:05:36 -0700
From: KDRESSEL
Subject: Re: FTE Small - A little lift survey

I have an 86 ranger 4x4 with a 4" rough country lift. It rides rough.
As far as for off roading it is terable. I took off both swaybars to
help my offroading. Helped a on in the rear with blocks but none in the
front. This is an old kit. The guy I bought the truck from had it
installed when he bought the truck. Maybe the kits are better now. It
is also a stage one kit.

Matt Dresselhaus
1986 ranger 4x4

David Steelman wrote:
>
> Thanks to all who sent info regarding my last post about the tire
> size/speedometer question.
>
> Now, while I am sitting patiently in my truck waiting for more
> manufacturers to come out with lift kits for 98 Rangers, I'd like to hear
> your opinions on any lift kits that you might have used.
>
> If you have lifted a Ford Ranger, no matter what year, let me know whose
> kit you used and what your opinions are. This will be my first experience
> with lifting a truck so I'd appreciate any stories, praises or complaints
> you can send my way.
>
> Also, the kits I have seen so far from Superlift and Trailmaster are both
> 4" kits. Has anyone heard anything about smaller lifts for the 98's? I
> could live with 4", but I'd really think I'd be happier with 2-3".
>
> Thanks to all.
> Dave
> == FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html
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