small-list-digest Thursday, September 17 1998 Volume 02 : Number 260



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

FTE Small - auto trans question and woes
FTE Small - Re: Ranger Brake upgrade --HELP
FTE Small - Re: Better Brakes for Explorer
FTE Small - Does it make any difference what type of Oil to use on a 98 Ranger?
Re: FTE Small - Ranger Pinging: Round 2
Re: FTE Small - Ranger Pinging: Round 2
FTE Small - step bars
Re: FTE Small - Re: Better Brakes for Explorer
Re: FTE Small - Ranger Pinging: Round 2
Re: FTE Small - auto trans question and woes

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Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 07:49:08 -0500
From: "John L. Winkler"
Subject: FTE Small - auto trans question and woes

>Well, after a catastrophic (money-wise, anyway) a/c failure,
>the Explorer's auto trans has decided to start misbehaving.
>
>What happens (and apparently primarily before it warms up) is
>that when I shift into drive, or come to a stop, it acts like
>it's in neutral. It then engages with a thump when the engine
>revs (past about 1800, I think).
>
>What's going south, and how hideously expensive will this be
>to repair? Anything from wild speculation to real root cause
>will be appreciated.
>
>Thanks,
>
>JLW
>(Just when you think you've paid it off ... it
> PULLS you back in.)
>
>
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Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 08:54:22 -0500
From: Erik
Subject: FTE Small - Re: Ranger Brake upgrade --HELP

Well the cost isnt what im worried about.. i set aside
about $3500 for the brakes and then i have a set of 18 by 8 rims for the front and
18 by 10s for the back.... but right now i have the stock rims and tires on.
the truck is finished for right now... truck now feels like its braking weak until
the truck locks up. :/

so Baer Racing or DownsFord is the way to go? anyone tried them before?
btw.. rear discs I found easy... its the front no one seems to want to carry.

ps.. im taking the ranger on a 4000 mile test drive to see how everything
works today :) so i will be back in a week

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Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 10:30:15 EDT
From: BFunk33 aol.com
Subject: FTE Small - Re: Better Brakes for Explorer

In a message dated 9/16/98 3:25:03 AM US Mountain Standard Time, owner-small-
list-digest ford-trucks.com writes:



Ding,

I did a quick check, and in most states, 3000 lbs is the lower limit for
trailers needing trailer brakes.
IOW, you need brakes on that 3500-4000lb trailer. The Explorer simply isn't
designed to tow that much without trailer brakes.
To get more braking out of your disk brakes on the Explorer, don't use hard,
high performance pads. They only work for spirited driving, after they are
warmed up. For brakes *right now*, you need the cheap, soft, dust-making, grab
*NOW* pads. They don't last as long, but they provide much more immediate
braking.
Which ones are these? The cheap ones that make no pretense at being "premium"
pads.
Good luck.
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Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 09:01:18 -0700
From: "Alan Wilson"
Subject: FTE Small - Does it make any difference what type of Oil to use on a 98 Ranger?

The 98 Ranger service manual says that I should use Motocraft Premium 5W30
Oil and Motocraft Oil Filters.

Does it void the warranty if I use another brand of oil and filter??? It
wasn't quite clear on that. I don't think so.

And is there much of a difference as long as I change my oil & filter
frequently?

Thanks.

Alan Wilson


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Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 12:52:40 -0500
From: "Parker Brooks"
Subject: Re: FTE Small - Ranger Pinging: Round 2

may also want to wonder if the timing is advanced? do you have a problem
starting at all?

just a stab,
parker

- -----Original Message-----
From: Melvin Montemerlo
To: small-list ford-trucks.com
Date: Tuesday, September 08, 1998 7:49 AM
Subject: FTE Small - Ranger Pinging: Round 2


>Friends,
>On Sept 5, I posted a msg asking advice on how to cure the terrible pinging
>my Ranger (3.0, Auto, 1995 21,000 miles)) was doing, especially under a
>load, and very especially at highway speeds. I got a number of responses
>ranging from "use hi-octane" gas to "check the oxygen sensor" to "take it
>back to the Dealer because it is under warrantee, to check for vacuum
>leaks....
>
>I talk to Ranger owners that I see getting gas, and all have very strong
>views on whether to use low, medium or high octane. Their views are
>different- but all very strong. I figured that since so many 3.0 auto
>Rangers use 87 octane with no problem, that mine should be able to also. I
>tried higher octane, but the pinging persisted.
>
>I listened for vacuum leaks and checked the hoses and connections as best I
>could. Then I took it back to the dealer, with great fear and trepidation.
>Two days later I got it back and took it on the highway, and the pinging
>was gone. Besides, it was free because it was done under warantee.
>
>They cleaned the EGR valve and replaced something called the exhaust delta
>pressure feedback sensor, which sometimes gave out of tolerance readings.
>They did take it for a roadcheck and used the computer. I was very happy.
>For two days, I didn't hear any pinging at all, even going up hills on the
>highway and letting it slow down and then accelerate up the hills.
>
>Then two days later, I was driving with the air conditioner on, and the
>pinging is there. It is not as bad as before, and it goes away when I shut
>the air conditioner off.
>
>What do you think? Should I be happy that things are much better than
>before, or is there still a "fixable" problem? Can you give me any help
>with a diagnosis from the info that I have given here?
>
>I really appreciate the help.
>Thanks,
>Mel
>
>
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>

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Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 14:12:12 +0000
From: Garr&Pam
Subject: Re: FTE Small - Ranger Pinging: Round 2

Parker Brooks wrote:
may also want to wonder if the timing is advanced? do you have a problem
starting at all?

Hey Parker still have those wheels for sale?
Chris
94 Lightning
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Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 20:23:06 -0500
From: "Randy Collins"
Subject: FTE Small - step bars

Richard wrote:

Since Smittybuilt hasn't yet come out with anything for a '98 Ranger, I
looked elsewhere & found that Rhino makes what looks to be a comparable
product. Their new Sumatra Series 4000 is frame mounted. The part #
for a '98 extended cab is 4168B (black) and 4168C (chrome). I'm
wondering if anybody has put these on their truck and what they think of
them? Are they really as comparable as they look? - I've only seen them
in a catalog. Also, since I'm not confident about any possible drilling
to put sidebars on, I'm thinking of having a shop put them on for me. I
was quoted $100 for this, $50/hours and 1 hours per side. Is that
reasonable? I appreciate any possible feedback. thanks.

My response:

I have been looking for the same thing for my '98. Most companies' products
seem to be very similar in looks and quality. $50 for welding isn't too
bad, but why are you leary of drilling the frame? That small of holes
really won't do much to weaken the frame. I've mounted nerfs on other
trucks and have never seen evidence of stress on the frames.

I also have a few questions about this truck. I have the .410 gears and am
experiencing pretty heavy spring wrap. Have you (or anybody else)
experienced this? Good luck finding traction bars for this truck! I've
looked everywhere, but very little to show for it.

ran
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Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 21:36:32 EDT
From: Ding060297 aol.com
Subject: Re: FTE Small - Re: Better Brakes for Explorer

To bfunk33 i do now have trailer brakes on it and they are surge brakes.
They do work well but its the truck that isn't grabbing we'll say ....So you
think the cheap stuff will work better i guess its worth a shot thanks for the
info i just have one question will the cheap stuff hold up as well as the more
expensive pads due to heat while towing this weight..Thanks again for the
info..........ding
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Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 21:40:33 EDT
From: Ding060297 aol.com
Subject: Re: FTE Small - Ranger Pinging: Round 2

If you had your truck at the dealer and things are still pinging around in
there you might want to do a lil upgrade ....Try looking into either hyperchip
or jetchip they both make a module for this truck that will upgrade
everything computer operated an should do away with your pinging and make it
a just a bit more peppy....The only catch is you now need to run 89 octane ///
Look into it and let us know i'm doing one now in my 96 explorer that pings
under hard throttle and regular gas only.....i'll let you know what happens on
my end....ding
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Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 21:52:46 -0400 (EDT)
From: tarmy webtv.net (tommy oslick jr)
Subject: Re: FTE Small - auto trans question and woes

it souns like the tranny is ready to go out to lunch

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