small-list-digest Thursday, January 14 1999 Volume 03 : Number 009



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

Re: FTE Small - Re: Ranger mileage
Re: FTE Small - Re: Ranger mileage
FTE Small - Rear popout windows
FTE Small - Twin I-beams
Re: FTE Small - Re: Ranger mileage
FTE Small - Re: Twin I-Beam
Re: FTE Small - radio display out
Re: FTE Small - 02 sensor
Re: FTE Small - radio display out
Re: FTE Small - Strange Ranger starting problem
Re: FTE Small - Re: knowlegable explorer owners please..i need help...
Re: FTE Small - Re: Ranger Model years
Re: FTE Small - 02 sensor

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Date: Wed, 13 Jan 1999 10:45:02 -0600
From: Brian_Mitchell notes.amdahl.com
Subject: Re: FTE Small - Re: Ranger mileage

I have a 1994 Ranger Sport with the 4.0L and 5 speed manual...I get 21 to 24
miles to the gallon combined city and highway.





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Date: Wed, 13 Jan 1999 12:44:46 -0500
From: Dave Slotter
Subject: Re: FTE Small - Re: Ranger mileage

>I have a 1994 Ranger Sport with the 4.0L and 5 speed manual...I get 21 to 24
>miles to the gallon combined city and highway.

Hello. This is my first post to the Small Ford Trucks list.

We have an '86 Bronco II 2.9 V6 with 5 speed manual which after replacing a
bunch of sensors, tuning it up (including resetting base timing), gets 25
mpg on the highway.

When I lock the hubs and use 4WD, we get about 6 mpg. Is this normal for
the gas mileage to drop so low? (I expect it to drop, but this far?)

- -Dave Slotter
- --
mailto:dave slotter.org
ICQ# 16458879 AOL/AIM ID: "Mac XR"
1986 Ford Bronco II Gray Manual 2.9 V6 119K
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Date: Wed, 13 Jan 1999 12:28:02 -0600
From: "Randy Collins"
Subject: FTE Small - Rear popout windows

I have a 98 ranger extended cab. I'd like to replace the rear side windows
with the popouts. First of all, is this possible and what all parts will be
needed? Approximate cost of parts? Is this something a shadetree mechanic
can do, or will I need to have one of those quality ford mechanics do it?

Any input from anyone is appreciated. Nathan?

TIA

ran

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Date: Wed, 13 Jan 99 16:37:14 EST
From: CONAN RALVM8.VNET.IBM.COM
Subject: FTE Small - Twin I-beams

The biggest drawback to the twin I-beam suspension that I know of
is the bad wear you get if you don't keep -good- shocks on the front.
I use Bilstein shocks on my '83 4x4 and the Goodyear Wranglers last
very well, with a nice even wear pattern.
The twin I-beam suspension is really just a swing-arm suspension
(like in old VW Beetles and Triumph Spitfires) but with the arm extended
to the far side of the frame instead of just meeting in the middle.
This design let Ford have most of the ride benefits of independent
front suspension, but kept most of the simplicity and ruggedness of a
solid front axle. (I never had any objection to solid axles and leaf
springs myownself. :-) )
Ed in NC
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Date: Wed, 13 Jan 1999 20:00:08 -0500
From: "Eric Davis"
Subject: Re: FTE Small - Re: Ranger mileage

I have a 98 with the 4.0L and 5 speed automatic and I get 16 miles to the
gallon.

Eric Davis
98 4x4 Ranger,
Edlebrock muffler, K&N.

- -----Original Message-----
From: Brian_Mitchell notes.amdahl.com
To: small-list ford-trucks.com
Date: Wednesday, January 13, 1999 11:46 AM
Subject: Re: FTE Small - Re: Ranger mileage


>
>
>I have a 1994 Ranger Sport with the 4.0L and 5 speed manual...I get 21 to
24
>miles to the gallon combined city and highway.
>
>
>
>
>
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Date: Wed, 13 Jan 1999 20:08:16 -0500
From: "Jim Bielecki"
Subject: FTE Small - Re: Twin I-Beam

>I'm planning on buying a used Ranger. I understand that the Twin I-Beam
>front suspension was replaced in 95. Is this correct?

The last year that Ford produced Rangers with the Twin I-Beam front
suspension was 1997. 1998 saw the introduction of the SLA front suspension
with coil springs (4X2) or torsion bars (4X4). The Explorer dumped the Twin
I-Beam front suspension in 1995.

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Date: Wed, 13 Jan 1999 21:04:55 -0500
From: Tim Turner
Subject: Re: FTE Small - radio display out

Donald Paauw wrote:
>
> The radio display in my '88 Ranger went out a few years back.

> Then, earlier this week, I was in a '90 ranger and it had
> exactly the same problem. So I'm wondering if this is a
> common problem in Rangers or Ford trucks or all Fords, and
> does anyone know the cause or have a cure?

I believe it's a small bulb in the radio from what I've heard elsewhere;
remove the radio (get the U-hook tool) and replace the bulb after
removing the cover/face as applicable. It's VERY common. :-)

TT
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Date: Wed, 13 Jan 1999 21:17:52 -0500
From: Tim Turner
Subject: Re: FTE Small - 02 sensor

Donald Paauw wrote:
>
> >how would i go about changing the o2 sensor in myt 96 ford ranger 2.3
> >liter thanks
>
> I'll add to the question: I read in a book that O2 sensors needed an
> HEGO wrench or a "weather head" (if I recall the term correctly) wrench.
> Is there any reason a standard wrench shouldn't be used?
>

Regular 7/8" wrench is fine; a socket should have a 'slice' in it for
the wiring harness to fit into. (A torch will do this just fine in a
pinch.. ) For REMOVAL it's not terribly
important; just installation requires care so you dont pinch a wire or
crack the housing. (HEGO is Heated Exhaust Gas Oxygen.. fancy way of
saying O2.) Make sure there's a good amount of anti-seize on the
threads of the new sensor; most dont have enough from the factory for my
tastes.

TT
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Date: Wed, 13 Jan 99 18:28:38 PST
From: don neomagic.com (Donald Paauw)
Subject: Re: FTE Small - radio display out

> I believe it's a small bulb in the radio from what I've heard elsewhere;
> remove the radio (get the U-hook tool) and replace the bulb after
> removing the cover/face as applicable. It's VERY common. :-)
>
> TT

Actually, my '88 doesn't use the tool because it's bolted in on two
mounting ears. I did everything by the book, almost. Disconnected the battery,
removed the radio & replaced the bulb, reinstalled the radio, hooked up
the battery. What I neglected to do was remount the premium sound power
amplifier. When I turned on the key, the radio display was glowing
nicely but was completely blank. After checking all of the connectors,
I noticed that the power amp is mounted on plastic ears, i.e. the case
is insulated from the chassis. I had left it laying on the dash, not insulated.
The fuses all look ok and the dome light works, which shares the radio fuse.
My son is taking the radio in to the stereo shop where he works to have
them see if it's toasted. If it is, I guess I'll upgrade to one with a
CD player. Might cost a little more than the bulb, though.

- -- Don
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Date: Wed, 13 Jan 1999 21:45:00 -0500
From: Tim Turner
Subject: Re: FTE Small - Strange Ranger starting problem

scott wrote:
>
> I have an 89 Ranger with the 2.9 engine. 190,000 miles on the OD. When I
> turn the key, it starts to turn over (maybe I get 1/4 RRRR).

> Then it would
> only start if I sat for 30-35 seconds with the lights on bright and the fan
> on high and then when I turned the key the solenoid would start to chatter
> like they do when the battery is real low and then it would start up. I
> replaced the solenoid, the starter, the battery, and all the cables.

I'd suggest an igntion switch; sounds like it's not conducting well
cold.. possibly a bad ground cable connection, but I'd lean strongly to
the switch.

TT
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Date: Wed, 13 Jan 1999 21:49:18 -0500
From: Tim Turner
Subject: Re: FTE Small - Re: knowlegable explorer owners please..i need help...

BFunk33 AOL.COM wrote:
>
> You say that the manual says you have a limited slip rear axle.
> What does the invoice say? Or the VIN?


To be *SURE* look at the tag on the diff cover; if there's an 'L' in the
group it's LS, otherwise it's not.

TT
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Date: Wed, 13 Jan 1999 21:52:42 -0500
From: Tim Turner
Subject: Re: FTE Small - Re: Ranger Model years

Randy Collins wrote:
>

>
> Only complaint is I don't have limited slip. Had to pay a local gear shop
> to put one in. Cost about $600.
>

For the money I think I would have gone for a 'locker' since it was
4x4..

JMHO :-)

TT
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Date: Wed, 13 Jan 1999 23:28:59 -0500
From: Dave Slotter
Subject: Re: FTE Small - 02 sensor

>Donald Paauw wrote:
>>
>> >how would i go about changing the o2 sensor in myt 96 ford ranger 2.3
>> >liter thanks
>>
>> I'll add to the question: I read in a book that O2 sensors needed an
>> HEGO wrench or a "weather head" (if I recall the term correctly) wrench.
>> Is there any reason a standard wrench shouldn't be used?
>>
>
>Regular 7/8" wrench is fine; a socket should have a 'slice' in it for
>the wiring harness to fit into. (A torch will do this just fine in a
>pinch.. ) For REMOVAL it's not terribly
>important; just installation requires care so you dont pinch a wire or
>crack the housing. (HEGO is Heated Exhaust Gas Oxygen.. fancy way of
>saying O2.) Make sure there's a good amount of anti-seize on the
>threads of the new sensor; most dont have enough from the factory for my
>tastes.
>
>TT

We chose the route of just cutting the leads on the HEGO sensor on our
Bronco II. We were replacing the sensor - if for some reason we had to put
it back (not very likely at all) we could still splice the wires back
together. That way we don't need a special tool.

I agree about the factory not using enough anti-sieze. We had to use a
torch to heat up the exhaust pipe/HEGO sensor so we could remove it. It was
*that* tight.

- -Dave Slotter
- --
mailto:dave slotter.org
ICQ# 16458879 AOL/AIM ID: "Mac XR"....

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