small-list-digest Friday, August 7 1998 Volume 02 : Number 220



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

FTE Small - FTE Small-How do we re-wire fog lights?
FTE Small -'98 Ranger take-off parts
Re: FTE Small -'98 Ranger take-off parts
FTE Small - New Jersey new lift law, final version (LONG)
FTE Small - Speedometer Reading/Tire Size
FTE Small - RE: Is it safe to lift Trucks?
Re: FTE Small - Is it safe to lift Trucks?
Re: FTE Small - Is it safe to lift Trucks?
Re: FTE Small -'98 Ranger take-off parts
FTE Small - re: to Mike in Michigan
Re: FTE Small - Moving on...
FTE Small - re: rear end clunk
FTE Small - H*lp wanted -- Engine clearance to A/C box on firewall
Re: FTE Small - H*lp wanted -- Engine clearance to A/C box on firewall
Re: FTE Small - H*lp wanted -- Engine clearance to A/C box on firewall
Re: FTE Small - H*lp wanted -- Engine clearance to A/C box on firewall
Re: FTE Small - H*lp wanted -- Engine clearance to A/C box on firewall
FTE Small - Where the wires are...

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Date: Thu, 6 Aug 1998 08:48:51, -0500
From: KNBD87D prodigy.com (MR JOSH J TENNEY)
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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Date: Thu, 6 Aug 1998 08:50:49, -0500
From: KNBD87D prodigy.com (MR JOSH J TENNEY)
Subject: FTE Small -'98 Ranger take-off parts

Hi,

I've tried this before, but I'll try it again.

I have some take off parts off a '98 Ranger for sale:

Chrome front bumper $100
Chrome Rear Bumper $100
Sliding rear window $50

Anyone interested?

Josh
KNBD87D prodigy.com
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Date: Thu, 6 Aug 1998 06:12:50 -0700 (PDT)
From: Bill Ciocco
Subject: Re: FTE Small -'98 Ranger take-off parts

Where are you located and will the front bumper fit an 87? Will you
ship?




- ---MR JOSH J TENNEY wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> I've tried this before, but I'll try it again.
>
> I have some take off parts off a '98 Ranger for sale:
>
> Chrome front bumper $100
> Chrome Rear Bumper $100
> Sliding rear window $50
>
> Anyone interested?
>
> Josh
> KNBD87D prodigy.com
> == FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html
>

_________________________________________________________
DO YOU YAHOO!?

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

Date: Thu, 06 Aug 1998 10:00:47 -0400
From: luxjo thecore.com
Subject: FTE Small - New Jersey new lift law, final version (LONG)

The first revision to New Jersey's lift laws is here. It is not what the
state wanted, but they have there foot in the door.


Under Provision of NJAC 13:20-37.3

Under 4 inch lift, no tilt test/susp inspection needed. Total lift
includes lift from tires, suspension, and body lift combined.

1. Steering ratio must be stock and total steering must be within 1/2 a
turn of original specs

2. Headlights between 22" and 54"
(spec says all lighting equip shall meet the Society of Automotive
Engineers. Not sure if you can use Headlights in bumper, or something
like that)

3. Taillights between 15" and 72"

4. Offroad lights must be covered on road.

5. Lisc plate must be 12"-48" off ground

6. Brake lines must be protected from heat, vibration, schafing, ect..
and must be protected from being ripped off truck (SS bake lines are
illegal, even if DOT approved).

7. Bumpers must be 16" or higher (unless lower from the factory,
ie; sports cars) and extend the full width of vehcile.

(NJ has reserved judgment on bumper heights and widths until American
Association of Motor Vehcile Administrators, Model bumper height
regulation is finshed being revised. Original proposal had bumper
heights of 24" or factory, whichever was lower. I expect this bumper
height part will find it's way into the law real soon, as this part of
it is the "saftey monitors" biggest gripe).

8. Max tire dia will be 38" (actual measurment at manufacter's pressure
rating) or 6 in bigger than stock, which ever is less. (35's, possibly
36's are the biggest for bronco's)

9. All tirs must be the same size. Front tires must be 60% tread width
of rear tires. (contradictory, no???)

10. Front fenders must cover tread. Rear flaps must be in accordance
with SAE standard J682. ( I think this means 15 degrees up from back of
tire must be covered by mud flap).

11. Exposed fuel tanks must be encased.

12. Exposed exhaust systems components and any moving parts must be
sheilded.

13. Ballast must be securley fastened.

14. Releasing steering wheel in a sharp turn must sahll result in an
increase radius turn.

15. spacers to increase track width are prohibited.

16. Max lift heights

GVWR -4500 lbs 7" over orig veh height. (measured at bottom of door to
ground, supposedly, 20 or 22 inches was stock on 78 bronco, inspection
station not sure of ruling yet) .

GVWR 4500-7500 9" over orig veh height.
GVWR 7500-10000 11" over orig veh height.

17. No blocks in front suspension


As I have previously stated, NJ wanted plus or minus an inch. This is
what they settled on so they would not get an uproar. Eventually, my
guess is, you will see NO lifts in NJ if YOU!! don't start contacting
your legislators. I'm not talking calling or writing. I mean go talk to
the guy/gal. Interupt their busy day ;-). Ask them what they are doing
to repeal this. Information for this rule was gathered from the State of
Virginia and the NHTSA, but neither has proposed the strict new lift
laws that NJ has adopted.

James Oxley (OX)
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Date: Thu, 06 Aug 1998 08:35:24 -0700
From: Richard
Subject: FTE Small - Speedometer Reading/Tire Size

David Steelman wrote:----------------------------------

When you use tires that are larger or smaller than stock, is
there a way to have your speedometer adjusted to reflect the difference?
Or is this something that most folks don't bother with?

Richard's Answer:--------------------------------------

The owner's manual for my '92 Aerostar addresses this issue. I doubt
that most Ford owner's remember it or care. Yes, it is possible to
recalibrate the speedo (I don't remember how, and my book is in the van,
which is at the mechanic's). There's a catch. The computer is designed
to let you do it only three times during the life of the vehicle.
Therefore, speedometer calibration seems to be tied into the odometer,
which is intended to be tamper-proof.

There are days when I muse on the stupidity of Ford engineering. In
fact, I muse about this every day. I'm musing right now, as I am about
to go pay $2,300 for my just-completed head gasket job (includes other
cooling system work).

Richard


- --
!! NOTE: TO REPLY, REMOVE THE STRING: "REMOVE.THIS.TO.REPLY" FROM MY
ADDRESS !!

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Date: Thu, 6 Aug 1998 09:55:07 -0700
From: "Pete Lawless"
Subject: FTE Small - RE: Is it safe to lift Trucks?

Alan Wilson wrote:
>I have a 98 Ranger and I wouldn't mind lifting it a bit in the future and
>addng bigger tires either. Is this kind of thing safe for the vehicle and
>how is it most commonly done? do shops do it? or is it a self service
thing.

Alan,
Lifts got a bad rap from the days when people jerry-rigged there trucks
with wood blocks and bailing wire. Today's commercialy produced lifts are
perfectly safe and in my opinion and experience, with the correct set-up
and installation, they actually improve the on-highway handling of the
vehicle and vastly improve the off-highway ability of the vehicle by
allowing larger tires and more wheel travel.
I've seen a Trailmaster lift advertised for the '98's, there's probably
others by now. Have a 4x4 shop install your lift if you don't do alot of
your own wrenching.

Later... Pete
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Date: Thu, 6 Aug 1998 14:46:57 -0400
From: qzl0st tpc.natp.gmeds.com (EI - Michael Ioco)
Subject: Re: FTE Small - Is it safe to lift Trucks?

> From: "Alan Wilson"
> Subject: FTE Small - Is it safe to lift Trucks?
>
> At 11:34 AM 8/5/98 -0500, you wrote:
>
> >
> >FYI: I have a 98 Ranger 4x4 Supercab with 235/75/16 and I would eventually
> >like to go up a little bit in tire size. Of course I'm going to wait until
> >my current tires need to be replaced, so this won't happen any time soon.
> >Has anyone experimented with larger tires on Rangers w/o lifts? I do plan
> >to lift the truck a little in the future but no more than 4"
> >
> ---
>
> I have a 98 Ranger and I wouldn't mind lifting it a bit in the future and
> addng bigger tires either. Is this kind of thing safe for the vehicle and
> how is it most commonly done? do shops do it? or is it a self service thing.
>
> Alan Wilson
>


One thing to take into consideration on our new 98's, is the tranny. Allegedly,
the new 5 speed Automatic tranny can not handle the extra effort associated with
spinning larger tires. That is the reason that the 98 ORP's ride on 235's as
opposed to the 265's that came with the older STX's -- when the ORP is mated
with the 5 speed auto.

This is what FoMoCo told me when I purchased my truck. I really wanted the
265's, and my salesman even called up tire manufactures to get me a set of
bigger meats. But when the service dept. told him they couldn't do it.

Just relaying what I heard from FoMoCo......

Mike in Michigan
98 Ranger 4x4 ORP 5 SPD AUTO, 3.73, 235/16


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Date: Thu, 6 Aug 1998 14:50:08 -0500
From: "David Steelman"
Subject: Re: FTE Small - Is it safe to lift Trucks?

Hmmm... very interesting, Mike.
I have the 5 spd man on mine with the ORP, any ideas on it's abilities?

FYI: I just stopped by the 4x4 shop at lunch and checked on larger tires
and a TJM bull bar. The guy said I could go up to a 245/75/16 and it would
be about 1.5 inches larger than the 235/70/16 I have now and it shouldn't
rub. (I think I posted that I had 235/75/16 last time, oops.)
He also said a general rule of thumb for tire size changes is to keep it
within about 10%. If you do that, apparently you won't have any worries
with gearing, abs etc. Does that sound right?
TJM said it will be this fall before they finish re-designing the bull
bar brackets to fit the 98 Rangers. The TJM bumper will actually stay the
same as the ones for 97's.

Dave


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Date: Thu, 6 Aug 1998 18:20:36, -0500
From: KNBD87D prodigy.com (MR JOSH J TENNEY)
Subject: Re: FTE Small -'98 Ranger take-off parts

No, the front bumper will not fit an '87 and nor will the window. I'm
pretty sure the rear bumper will fit.
I'm located in So. St. Paul, MN. Where are you?
Josh
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Date: Thu, 6 Aug 1998 18:42:14, -0500
From: KNBD87D prodigy.com (MR JOSH J TENNEY)
Subject: FTE Small - re: to Mike in Michigan

Hey Mike,

I remember your story about wanting larger tires, but something seems
fishy. Your truck came with 235/70R16s while the largest with XLT is
265/75R15. Your tire diameter is about 28.95 in. The XLT largest tire
diameter is 30.65 inches. If you went to 265/70R16, your overall tire
diameter is 30.61 inches, .04 inches smaller than the 265/75R15. Your
rear axle is 3.73, and so is the one with 265/75R15.

If you look an Explorer with the 5 speed auto, you can get 255/70R16,
which are 30.06 inches in diameter and it has a 3.73 rear axle.

What I'm saying, by looking at the 1998 Ford Source Book, the Ranger
and Explorer both have the 3.73 rear axle ratio and the 5 speed auto.
The ORP Ranger has 235/70R16s, or 28.95 inch tall tires. The XLT
ranger with largest tires, 265/75R15, are 30.65 inches tall....but
SAME engine, tranny, and rear axle. The Explorer, has 255/70R16, or
30.06 in tall...but same tranny and rear axle. If Ford says the
largest tire it can handle is the largest stock tire, or 265/75R15,
well you have room to grow. You can get atleat 255/70R16 like
Explorers have or 265/70R16 like you want. Any questions? Call me if
you want to.

Josh
651-450-5321
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Date: Thu, 06 Aug 1998 19:34:32 -0500
From: Mike Fisher
Subject: Re: FTE Small - Moving on...

Mike,

Good luck on your trip, but you should be really conservative pulling that size
trailer if it is at all full. I pulled one of those loaded from North Dallas to
Grapevine and back three times in one day (25 miles each way), and it sucked. This was
with a low mileage '73 F100, 360 V8, which is a lot more substantial vehicle than any
Explorer. You should get your transmission fluid and filter changed, and get an after
market transmission cooler, too. Do not underestimate what kind of stress you are
going to be putting your truck under.

Mike Fisher
'97 AWD Mountaineer

Ken Payne wrote:

> Forwarded for: Mike Krause
>
> I will soon be moving to California in about a week from Texas. I will have to
> uns*bscribe to this service due to the fact that I do not have my own computer yet
> and am not sure if I will have access to one when I'm out there. I have some
> questions for everyone about my trip out there and about Ca.
> 1) I'm making a list of things to do to get my '91 Explorer ready for the
> trip. I'm towing a 6'x12' Uhaul and need some insight on what I can do to prevent
> any problems. I'm doing the following: changing the oil and filter, the air
> filter, the PCV valve, the drivebelt, the brakes and getting the tires balanced.
> Anything else needed to be done.
> 2) Anyone who lives in the San Diego area, specifically La Jolla, that's
> where I'm moving. Any performance shops out there or anyone of you out there as
> well?? I know like 2 people and that's not a lot.
> Thanks for all that everyone's done for me and all the advise on the pursuit
> to make my Explorer last longer and run better. Hopefully I'll see you all again
> soon. Take care.
> Mike Krause
>
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Date: Thu, 06 Aug 1998 22:18:14 -0400
From: Ken Morrill
Subject: FTE Small - re: rear end clunk

I have a 4.0L 4x4 with manual transmission. I have the same
driveline
creaking and a clunk in the rear end when changing from forward to
reverse.
The dealer claimed that the 98-11-9 TSB was only for AUTOMATICS and
that
the 97-23-12 TSB (for a clunk) covered only through 1997 Rangers. I
don't
know what to do! Anyone with a 1998 manual transmission having the same

problems and had them fixed?


Ben, you are not alone. I have the same clunk, as I believe every other
Ranger owner has. There is an astounding amount of slop in the drive
lines of these vehicles. In my 25 years of driving I've never seen
anything like it!!! And I'm including total junkers that I've owned!!!

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Date: Thu, 06 Aug 1998 23:25:27 -0400
From: Ken Payne
Subject: FTE Small - H*lp wanted -- Engine clearance to A/C box on firewall

Forwarded for: "Bob Marrs"

Hi Folks, I am looking into swapping a 205hp 4.0L SOHC engine from a wrecked
'98 Explorer into my '86 Bronco II (same chassis as Rangers as you know). In
taking all the critical measurements, it appears that the only problem area
is the air conditioner box on the firewall (we have to have A/C here in
Arizona) . It needs to be cut back about 1-1.5" at the bottom / rear area of
the box to clear the high valve cover on the SOHC engine. This must be the
same problem which is found with some V-8 swaps. I'm looking for inputs on
how this has been solved before. Do the late model Rangers have a different
shaped A/C box configuration for the standard 4.0L engines? Does this differ
from pre 4.0L year models? FYI, my existing 2.9L engine is 15" from valve
cover to cover. The 4.0L SOHC is 20". I would be interested in the standard
4.0L distance from valve cover to cover. Can I get a few of you folks to
please poke your heads under the hoods of your Rangers and tell me what you
see for A/C box, clearance and measurements in this area? Thanks for all
esponses. If interested, I'll give you all more details on this engine and
the potential for the swap as I move forward. Regards, Bob Marrs.


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

Date: Thu, 6 Aug 1998 23:28:36 -0500 (CDT)
From: MIS Staff
Subject: Re: FTE Small - H*lp wanted -- Engine clearance to A/C box on firewall

I'm thinking about doing the same thing that you are doing with the engine
swap. I have an '88 B2. Please let me know what problems you encountered
and how things go.

Thanks,

Eric Neal

On Thu, 6 Aug 1998, Ken Payne wrote:

> Forwarded for: "Bob Marrs"
>
> Hi Folks, I am looking into swapping a 205hp 4.0L SOHC engine from a wrecked
> '98 Explorer into my '86 Bronco II (same chassis as Rangers as you know). In
> taking all the critical measurements, it appears that the only problem area
> is the air conditioner box on the firewall (we have to have A/C here in
> Arizona) . It needs to be cut back about 1-1.5" at the bottom / rear area of
> the box to clear the high valve cover on the SOHC engine. This must be the
> same problem which is found with some V-8 swaps. I'm looking for inputs on
> how this has been solved before. Do the late model Rangers have a different
> shaped A/C box configuration for the standard 4.0L engines? Does this differ
> from pre 4.0L year models? FYI, my existing 2.9L engine is 15" from valve
> cover to cover. The 4.0L SOHC is 20". I would be interested in the standard
> 4.0L distance from valve cover to cover. Can I get a few of you folks to
> please poke your heads under the hoods of your Rangers and tell me what you
> see for A/C box, clearance and measurements in this area? Thanks for all
> esponses. If interested, I'll give you all more details on this engine and
> the potential for the swap as I move forward. Regards, Bob Marrs.
>
>
> == FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html
>

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

Date: Thu, 6 Aug 1998 23:30:48 -0500 (CDT)
From: MIS Staff
Subject: Re: FTE Small - H*lp wanted -- Engine clearance to A/C box on firewall

What kind of tranny do you have, and rear-end gearing?

Eric

On Thu, 6 Aug 1998, Ken Payne wrote:

> Forwarded for: "Bob Marrs"
>
> Hi Folks, I am looking into swapping a 205hp 4.0L SOHC engine from a wrecked
> '98 Explorer into my '86 Bronco II (same chassis as Rangers as you know). In
> taking all the critical measurements, it appears that the only problem area
> is the air conditioner box on the firewall (we have to have A/C here in
> Arizona) . It needs to be cut back about 1-1.5" at the bottom / rear area of
> the box to clear the high valve cover on the SOHC engine. This must be the
> same problem which is found with some V-8 swaps. I'm looking for inputs on
> how this has been solved before. Do the late model Rangers have a different
> shaped A/C box configuration for the standard 4.0L engines? Does this differ
> from pre 4.0L year models? FYI, my existing 2.9L engine is 15" from valve
> cover to cover. The 4.0L SOHC is 20". I would be interested in the standard
> 4.0L distance from valve cover to cover. Can I get a few of you folks to
> please poke your heads under the hoods of your Rangers and tell me what you
> see for A/C box, clearance and measurements in this area? Thanks for all
> esponses. If interested, I'll give you all more details on this engine and
> the potential for the swap as I move forward. Regards, Bob Marrs.
>
>
> == FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html
>

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

Date: Thu, 6 Aug 1998 21:45:41 -0700 (PDT)
From: mark fitzgerald
Subject: Re: FTE Small - H*lp wanted -- Engine clearance to A/C box on firewall

Well, for a 5.0 swap we usually lop off the lower right hand corner of
the heater box and use some sheetmetal, a few rivets, and some
caulking to seal it up in a different shape. Then again this is in
82-88 Rangers..so take it for what it's worth.

Best regards,
Fitzy



>
> On Thu, 6 Aug 1998, Ken Payne wrote:
>
> > Forwarded for: "Bob Marrs"
> >
> > Hi Folks, I am looking into swapping a 205hp 4.0L SOHC engine from
a wrecked
> > '98 Explorer into my '86 Bronco II (same chassis as Rangers as you
know). In
> > taking all the critical measurements, it appears that the only
problem area
> > is the air conditioner box on the firewall (we have to have A/C
here in
> > Arizona) . It needs to be cut back about 1-1.5" at the bottom /
rear area of
> > the box to clear the high valve cover on the SOHC engine. This
must be the
> > same problem which is found with some V-8 swaps. I'm looking for
inputs on
> > how this has been solved before. Do the late model Rangers have a
different
> > shaped A/C box configuration for the standard 4.0L engines? Does
this differ
> > from pre 4.0L year models? FYI, my existing 2.9L engine is 15"
from valve
> > cover to cover. The 4.0L SOHC is 20". I would be interested in
the standard
> > 4.0L distance from valve cover to cover. Can I get a few of you
folks to
> > please poke your heads under the hoods of your Rangers and tell me
what you
> > see for A/C box, clearance and measurements in this area? Thanks
for all
> > esponses. If interested, I'll give you all more details on this
engine and
> > the potential for the swap as I move forward. Regards, Bob Marrs.
> >
> >
> > == FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html
> >
>
> == FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html
>

_________________________________________________________
DO YOU YAHOO!?

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

Date: Thu, 6 Aug 1998 23:15:12 -0700
From: "Douglas Crann"
Subject: Re: FTE Small - H*lp wanted -- Engine clearance to A/C box on firewall

did a v-8 swap a while ago, cutting into heater box is no big deal. i am in
the process of swapping a 4 litre into my 83 ranger. i got the motor out of
a 93 ranger with factory air. my ranger had dealer air. box for dealer air
is slightly different then factory. also codensor hoses are different.
however, the box from the 93 is the same as the box in my wifes 84 bii.so to
answer one of your questions, at least up to 93 or so, the boxes are the
same. good luck.
- -----Original Message-----
From: Ken Payne
To: small-list ford-trucks.com
Date: Thursday, August 06, 1998 8:35 PM
Subject: FTE Small - H*lp wanted -- Engine clearance to A/C box on firewall


>Forwarded for: "Bob Marrs"
>
>Hi Folks, I am looking into swapping a 205hp 4.0L SOHC engine from a
wrecked
>'98 Explorer into my '86 Bronco II (same chassis as Rangers as you know).
In
>taking all the critical measurements, it appears that the only problem area
>is the air conditioner box on the firewall (we have to have A/C here in
>Arizona) . It needs to be cut back about 1-1.5" at the bottom / rear area
of
>the box to clear the high valve cover on the SOHC engine. This must be the
>same problem which is found with some V-8 swaps. I'm looking for inputs on
>how this has been solved before. Do the late model Rangers have a different
>shaped A/C box configuration for the standard 4.0L engines? Does this
differ
>from pre 4.0L year models? FYI, my existing 2.9L engine is 15" from valve
>cover to cover. The 4.0L SOHC is 20". I would be interested in the
standard
>4.0L distance from valve cover to cover. Can I get a few of you folks to
>please poke your heads under the hoods of your Rangers and tell me what you
>see for A/C box, clearance and measurements in this area? Thanks for all
>esponses. If interested, I'll give you all more details on this engine and
>the potential for the swap as I move forward. Regards, Bob Marrs.
>
>
>== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html
>

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

Date: Fri, 07 Aug 1998 00:39:15 -0800
From: "Tom Watson"
Subject: FTE Small - Where the wires are...

This is a case of "be careful what you wish for, it may come true" in the
biggest sense of the word. I'm thankful that I'm in the "discovery" stage
at the moment, and no real damage is done (yet...).

You see it all started when I got teh 10k service a couple of weeks ago, and
while I was waiting, I passed by the parts counter of the dealer. They had
the nice part numbers for the service manual, and electrictal diagram, and
while I shuddered at the cost (about $200 for the pair), I figured it was
an insignificant sum (compared to the $30k+ for the Explorer). The books
arrived Tuesday (2 days ago) and my fruitful studies (after the heavy lifting
excercises) revealed correctly that the "modular" jack in the center console
does in fact connect 1-1 back to the cell-phone location (right rear). Then
I saw some "lightening". There is a nice jack for the headliner microphone
(hands free use), and the connector to the mobile phone also connects to the
radio's "network". This is ripe to have a remotely mounted ham radio (the
RF part) tucked away, and the "control head" in the center console. It even
can feed audio (I presume) back to the radio to come out the speakers, and
with the network connection, maybe even mute the radio (turn it down, etc.)
when I get a signal. What an installation THAT would be.

But alas, this is not Camelot (but the Ford emblem is more round than the
C***y one), and I have a few questions....

1) Where is the connector for the headliner microphone. If you have one
of those in your vehicle, a little patting of things might tell someone
where it is hiding. I'd like to put one in and (eventually) have a hands
free ham radio (wow, impress someone, or what!!)??
2) Is the two wire "network" protocol described anywhere, so I can control
the radio and make it do all sorts of magic things (even more impressive!)

The wiring diagram is pretty through on where the wires go, but very little
is shown on the "internals" of things. There are a few parts I'd like to....

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