Today, I will take delivery on a 2004 Ford Ranger w/4.0L engine and a 5spd manual OD transmission and 4WD/limited slip. For you veterans out there:

• Who publishes the best manual for Rangers?
• Do you think it would be profitable to convert the rear drum brakes to discs?
• The 4WD function will be used very infrequently, probably no more than 2-3 times a year. Is it necessary to use the 4WD function occasionally or is it OK just to use it when it's needed?
• The LS differential was only available with the 4.10 rear. Since I will probably never use the vehicle for towing and very few times for heavy loads, I am wondering about the practicality of going to the 3.73 (or lower if possible) to increase gas mileage. Any negatives to this change? Any speculations as to cost?

Thanks

 

Hello,

I like the haynes books for manuals, you can also get a chiltons.

thats about al I can help you on, you cna pick the books up at auto zone or any auto place im sure.

 

* The Haynes manuals have been useful for me, but the current Ranger edition goes up to 2000. It doesn't cover the 4.0L SOHC, but most of the other topics are relevant. By the time you really need it, they should have an update.

* I wouldn't modify the brakes until after the warranty runs out. I'm not sure how useful installing rear discs would be. Investing in cars is rarely "profitable".

 

The best manual is the Ford shop manual. The Haynes manual available in auto parts stores is awful for these trucks. You can get the Ford shop manual in hard copy or on CD, and I believe they are available through this website.

Disc brakes WOULD be really nice, but the conversion would be difficult and expensive and may void factory warranty.

You need to use 4wd at least once a month or so to ensure the system stays "lubed up" and loose. Remember to use 4-low and 4-high, never use them on dry pavement, and follow the owner's manual for how to engage them properly.

A 3.73 gear would only help your fuel economy on the Interstate highways. In town it would actually hurt performance and fuel economy because your engine will have to work harder to accelerate.

Congrats on the new truck! I would be interested in hearing how your manual transmission works for you as I have heard negative things about them. Keep us updated.

 

hey WXboy do you have any pictures of your additional skid plating??

 

I just got the truck. Though I drove a Ranger for 11 years, the last 2-3 years have seen me in a Focus and it is going to take a couple of weeks to get comfortable in a Ranger again. In comparison to the Focus, it is huge and is a challange in a tight parking lot. All my truck driving instincts are rusty. It's gonna be a couple weeks at least before I can really drive this truck.

This Ranger makes me feel like a kid again, at least insofar as I have to stand on my tiptoes to clean the windshield. Tomorrow, I am in the hunt for a step stool.

With regard to a lower gear, I was pleasantly surprised with what I've got. At 70 MPH, the tach indicates 2500 RPM which is perfectly satisfactory. I won't need to do any changes on the rear end and that's a big relief. I had visions of driving down the interstate at 70 MPH and 4500 RPM.

The Ford manual is probably the best and it will be very expensive I'm sure. I forget the name of the company that does the company's manuals but they wanted well over $150 for the Focus manual.

Some of the changes I'm contemplating, like disc brakes for the rear, will definitely wait for a couple of years until I've had a chance to see if the truck is as reliable as I have hoped. Actually, the brakes on this Ranger feel pretty good though I've had no occasion, thankfully, to have to stop hard.

Nothing is perfect and the window on the driver's side will need to be fixed. I'll go in Monday to see if they can iron that out.

I will have the bed sprayed with polyurethane (Rhino lining equivalent) at Ford. They will also install the rear stabilizer bar. Right now, it feels like I'm dragging the rear end around turns. On my '90 Ranger, it was extremely worthwhile, especially in the mountains.

Does anyone know whether the chrome bed rails that are on my truck can be removed? I don't think a tonneau top can be installed with them in place and that's one of my highest priorities. I had planned to get a camper top but since I can recline the seat in my truck, I can probably sleep quite comfortably in the cab, especially after 14 hours on the road. Any ideas about who makes a really good one?

Tomorrow will be a busy day. This truck must have seen some real thunderstorms. There's mud everywhere and the paint is filthy. After a thorough wash, it will be several hours with polish and claybar and then, hopefully, a couple of coats of wax. I did the hood when I got home just to get an idea of the true colors of the Sonic Blue metallic paint and it is gorgeous.

After Ford, on Monday, I'll be replacing the battery. No matter what the vehicle, Ford always manages to put in a wimpy battery. I'll be installing one of the Optima orbital batteries. They are absolutely the finest battery available. Reliable power and no leaks. It is one of the best investments in vehicle reliability since weak batteries stress electronic components.

I really appreciate all the helpful comments. Any other points ya'll have will be appreciated as well.

 

About the Tonneau cover, Access makes a cover that doesnt cover your stake holes, really nice cover. you can probably see mine in my gallery, I love it

 

Houckster -
In reply to your manual question,I picked up a copy of the Ford Shop Manual for my 1992 Ranger and dad's 2000 4.0L.I got them off eBay for $4 each.They are "burned" copies,but work perfectly.

Nightrain

 

As far as the batteries go...I happen to think the Ford OEM batteries are very good batteries. The average lifespan I've seen from them is 5 years...nothing to complain about there. Why would you spend all that $$$ to replace a brand new quality battery?

Anyway, congrats on the new truck. Sonic Blue IS the best color. I wish I had gotten one like that myself. This forum is a great resource. If you have questions , post 'em here.

 

Those chrome bed rails come off easily- just unbolt from underneath.

 

then send them to me!

 

"A 3.73 gear would only help your fuel economy on the Interstate highways. In town it would actually hurt performance and fuel economy because your engine will have to work harder to accelerate."

Oops! I think you will find the reverse is true: a 3.73 will accelerate quicker, than say, a 3.55 or a 3.08 diff., given the same engine RPMs.

 

your right, with your examples, but he allready has a 4.10, so if he goes down to a 3.73 then the gas mileage will decrease in town and go up on the highway compared to what he has, in reality it probably so small of a difference he wont reallly notice a "huge" improvement, but if he went lower....

 

About the disk rotors in the back , I just bought a new 2003 Ranger FX4 and e-mailed Power stop rotors info@powerstoprotors.com as I was interested in changing
mine from stock front to drilled.
They replied the next day .
You might e-mail them and ask if they have anything for the back.
It might be quite the project to do the back though.

Fronts were only $108 each at Parts Warehouse
Aftermarket rotors are better almost always than stock.
These are made from one piece , not two piece sandwiched.
Thay said to me that drilled are better than slotted as slotted go through pads faster.

I'm looking at Trxedo tonneau as they come in different colors.

redfxranger

 

I'll be staying with the 4.10 rear end. It's emminently driveable both around town and on the expressway. Only 2,500 RPM at 70 MPH.

SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS: Because I knew that my Ranger (an FX4) would really fill up my garage, I got out to check the clearances before pulling in further. I left the engine running but the door shut partially and the locks activated. $45 to get the locksmith to get me back in the truck. That was a big surprise. My Focus SVT had power locks too but it waited until it was in motion before locking up. I am going to see if Ford will reimburse me on this.

Sonic blue paint: Everybody seems to like this paint. I got about 5 compliments on my truck in just one day. The paint really gleams after completely claying the body and chrome and then putting on two coats of wax. I use a wax called "Trade Secret" available from Top of the Line (***.topoftheline.com) that is extremely easy to use, lasts a good amount of time and is fairly economical to use. This is a single purpose wax and has no cleaners. It goes on and comes off easily, even in less than optimum weather or temperatures. One of the nicest things, since there's a lot of exterior vinyl on this truck, is that it does not leave white stains if the wax accidently gets on the vinyl. It just rubs right off. I use 303 (also available from Top of the Line)on the vinyl which will keep it looking new. On my Focus, the vinyl started fading within a year. One of the best things is that I don't have the plastic bumpers like the Focus had. They scratch if you look at them.

Disc brakes: The stock brakes seem to work quite well on the Ranger but switching out the rotors when the first brake job comes up will probably be a good idea. As for the rear brakes, the conversion to disc will probably cost at least $1000 and likely more than that.

Ford batteries: Generally, I have been unimpressed with Ford batteries. Most of my new batteries from Ford have lasted less than a year and leaked occasionally. On my Focus ZX3, I just barely caught it before some real damage occured. When I switched to my SVT, I didn't even wait. I switched out immediately and just did so yesterday with the Ranger. This battery cost $134 (with tax) and though some might consider it extravagant, the additional power reserve and the complete freedom from leakage (Rust out battery compartments are very depressing!) is worth it to me. They are much more resistant to vibration and hold a charge more reliably. I think it was worth the trouble and expense.

Tonneau cover: The link to the pictures of the tonneau cover REDFXRANGER was discussing

I got my window fixed yesterday. The truck exhibits no other problems so I am very happy. I seems free of the irritating rattles and other trash noise my Focus SVT had so I am very pleased.

Thanks for all the wonderful comments. It sure makes enjoying a new vehicle easier when there's experienced people around discuss questions with.