#1 I'm wanting to run dual exhaust on my '98 extended cab 4X4 w/4.0 and I need some suggestions on what sounds best. I want something noticeable but not annoying.

#2 On the same truck (it's an automatic too), the t-case is leaking from the rear seal. How hard is this seal to replace? Does the t-case take the same fluid as the trans. and does it fill from the trans. or does it have it's own fill hole.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 11-Dec-02 AT 10:04 PM (EST)]

Sorry - Don't know about the exhaust question -
#2 - I have "read" that these seals are not terribly difficult to replace - must be very careful though not to let the "guts" fall out, or you'll have a mess on your hands.

Check your O's manual for the type of fluid for the transfer-case. - It "MAY" take the same fluid as the transmission. Changed my `99 and it called for Mercon, but my transmission cals for Mercon "V" - in the transmission they are NOT interchangeable - in my transfer-case I used a Synth. "Blend" that is approved for both applications.

It has it's own 'fill" hole, also serves as the "check" hole - it's the TOP one - the BOTTOM HOLE is for DRAINING - I'd suggest you locate both before you open anything (open top 1st for better draining anyway).

A little tricky to re-fill though - you really need a pump or a thin (narrow) squeeze-type bottle (like a thoroughly cleaned out gear-oil bottle) to get it full again - and some patience.

Best of luck,
Glenn...

 

I'd suggest the Flowmaster 40... single in dual out. I had mine custom bent and hung by Exhaust Pro's.

A Flowmaster 50 may be something to think about as it has a bit more guts than a 40..the 40 is just barely legal.

 

Hey Super, just curious how you like the flowmaster, and if you noticed much power from it alone. Why is it 'barely legal?' I've also been curious about your whole setup. Is there quite a bit of additional power noticeable compared to your stock setup? Thanks,
Brian J Wilson
1998 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 4.0L 5spd SuperCab w/ Off-Road Package

 

I buy gear oil and transmission fluid in Gallon jugs with pumps. It makes it easy to refill a case. When you get a jug with a pump they are a mess after they are opened. I cut a small hole in the top of the jug under the handle for the hose to poke into. For storage I cut the top off a larger jug (like a cat litter jug) and use the bottom section to cover the gallon jug. An empty pump jug can be used to transfer "different" fluids and cleaned after use.

Thanks for using FTE!




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About #1..I've been trying to decide on exhaust for mine too. I hear the Flowmaster 40 series is the way to go, but I don't know if those people are still running both catalytic converters or not. It seems the cats would quiet the truck down quite a bit.

If you do put a Flowmaster 40 on it, let me know how you like it.


:-)

 

In the morning I'm getting a single in/dual out Flowmaster put on. I think it's a 40 series. I don't know if I'll be able to get rid of one or both cats yet. I'll let y'all know how it turns out.

 

>In the morning I'm getting a single in/dual out Flowmaster
>put on. I think it's a 40 series. I don't know if I'll be
>able to get rid of one or both cats yet. I'll let y'all
>know how it turns out.


I thought about getting rid of my cat, or to run dual cat's. I decided that getting rid of my cat wasn't worth the hassle since the new ones are pretty much free flowing as I thought necessary (I wanted to keep some back pressure). I seriously looked into a dual cat's but I strayed away from that idea, because i thought that it would be too much of a headache to get them properly hooked up to the computer, not to say it can't be done.

I saw about a 2 mpg increase, and I feel that the change in power is noticeable. My ranger has had no problem problem smokin my 31's even with out the chip, and with out dumping the clutch, all I gotta do is goose the gas a bit.

my .02

Hope you like it, and if you don't I apoligize for not replying sooner to maybe help you out a bit.

 

Got the exhaust done today and I've been about 150 miles so far and it sounds pretty good. It's noticeable but not annoying. Both the cats were left on. I can't really tell an increase in power but I haven't done my normal daily drive yet. My 32" swampers are h*ll on that little V-6 back and forth to work. I'll keep ya'll updated.

'98 Ford Ranger Ext. Cab 4X4
32X10.50X15 Radial Super Swampers on 15X8 Ultra Wheels
4.0 w/automatic trans, K&N drop-in, Flowmaster cat-back

 

your 98 ranger has dual cats? are they stock?

my 92 4.0 , 95 4.0 and my 00 4.0 all have had one stock cat...oh just curious.

glad you like it.

 

Yeah, it's got two, one right in front of the other. I don't know why but I'm sure Ford has a better idea.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 18-Dec-02 AT 08:56 AM (EST)]I also have a '98, but it's a 3.0 Reg. cab.

#1: good choice on the exhaust. I have straight pipes from the cat back and like how it sounds. It's not loud until I get up around 3.5K RPM, so it's loud when I want it to be and not annoying. I get about 3 mpg in fuel economy and A HECK OF A LOT more torque than I used to.

#2a: the seal is pretty easy to replace on the transfer case. that is if you're so inclined. If you're talking about the rear oil seal, you're gonna have to disconnect the rear drive shaft and get it out of the way to get there. after that a 30 mm socket and needle nose will take that seal out. to replace, there is a special tool that you'll need (most parts stores sell 'em), or you can try your chances with a hammer and the right size socket to drive that seal in.

#2b: if your case is the same as mine (Warner 13-54, stock on most) your gonna use about 2.5 pints of Merc auto tranny fluid, same as the tranny. and the case has its own fill separate from the tranny....it's on the back of the case and you're gonna need a pump of some kind. They don't sell tranny fluid in a bottle that makes this an easy job. it's just a large plug that you can fit a socket wrench into and pull out....check your level from there too.

Good luck, and have fun.

 

>Yeah, it's got two, one right in front of the other. I
>don't know why but I'm sure Ford has a better idea.


ahh i see, I was thinking that they were not in series as you've just stated, but one on each header.

 

>I also have a '98, but it's a 3.0 Reg. cab.
>
>#1: good choice on the exhaust. I have straight pipes from
>the cat back and like how it sounds. It's not loud until I
>get up around 3.5K RPM, so it's loud when I want it to be
>and not annoying. I get about 3 mpg in fuel economy and A
>HECK OF A LOT more torque than I used to.
>
>#2a: the seal is pretty easy to replace on the transfer
>case. that is if you're so inclined. If you're talking
>about the rear oil seal, you're gonna have to disconnect the
>rear drive shaft and get it out of the way to get there.
>after that a 30 mm socket and needle nose will take that
>seal out. to replace, there is a special tool that you'll
>need (most parts stores sell 'em), or you can try your
>chances with a hammer and the right size socket to drive
>that seal in.
>
>#2b: if your case is the same as mine (Warner 13-54, stock
>on most) your gonna use about 2.5 pints of Merc auto tranny
>fluid, same as the tranny. and the case has its own fill
>separate from the tranny....it's on the back of the case and
>you're gonna need a pump of some kind. They don't sell
>tranny fluid in a bottle that makes this an easy job. it's
>just a large plug that you can fit a socket wrench into and
>pull out....check your level from there too.
>
>Good luck, and have fun.

BTW, most of this is not only from experience but can be found in a Haynes or Chilton manual. That's what I used when I had to work on my case. Just don't do what I did and put gear lube in your case and then ask what's supposed to go in it.....what a mess.

 

Flatliner, so you got a 40 series Flowmaster with dual pipes out the back? Does it have sort of a high pitched buzz like the imports, or does it have a lower rumble like a smallblock V8? Is it pretty loud compared to stock? I'm wondering what to expect because I'm thinking of doing the same thing.