Hi, I have a 1995 ford ranger 5 spd 4.0l and I was wondering how to replace my stock air filter with an after-market one. I know where the air filter is located on my truck but I experienced problems when I tried to remove the cover on it. I got the latch off but that's as far as I got. Another question I had was about the filter fit. Will mostly any aftermarket filter work or do I have to buy a specific one for my truck? My friend said that replacing the filter was pretty much a quick "bolt back in place" job. One more question, will I gain any horsepower with this filter? Thanks for your help.

 

I hear bad things about the K&N washable filters, and the Fram Airhogs. You'd probably do best to stay with a good paper filter, they're tried and true. If you are absolutely convinced that you have to have an aftermarket filter, most elements designed for your truck should be a straight replacement. There is no "One size fits all", there are just too many different sizes and designs. Did you find all the latches on your airbox? There may be one you missed. -TD

 

All you do to take it out is open the latch all the way till the ring is spread all the way open. Then pull the plastic box on both sides to seperate it then you will see the filter. Pull it out put the new in. Put the cover back together. Make shure the ring is on right because some times it doesnt line up right. All you have to do to fix that is reach under the air box and make shure the ring sits in the tabs. Close the ring and check the plug on the box to make shure its hooked up and you are done

 

I agree, stay with a good brand name paper filter, the cotton or foam filters have a larger pore size that passes more of the stuff your trying to keep out of your engine.

The only way to pass more air with GOOD filtration, is to have more filter area stuffed into your air box, not a filter with the same area & a larger pore size.

Over oil the other filters & your liable to contaminate the MAF grid & cause problems.

The other filters MAY give you a little more at WOT, but who runs around all day at WOT, unless your on the track somewhere.

At normal throttle openings, where most of us drive, they don't do a thing but make our wallets lighter IMHO.

Oh on the non paper filters passing larger/more particles, at one time the "Cummings" diesel site stated that using these filters would void their waranty, due to excessive piston & cylinder wall scuffing.

Also check out the non scientific but non the less interesting air filter test at http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/airfilter/airtest1.htm . Be shure to click on & read/look at the pictures of all 4 sections of the airfilter test thead, at the bottom of the above page. They test the filter or filter type your considering, so it should be interesting info for you.

One interesting thing about the test, is that the secondary/indicator filter material was a section of a "Fram" automotive paper air filter!!!!!

Enjoy the read!!!!

 

I don't know if I'm going to replace the air filter. My friend noticed the air sensors on it and said that an entire intake installation would be really difficult and that only an air filter swap wouldn't do anything for my hp or sound. So, I'm considering getting some bigger spark plugs. What would everyone here recommend as a cheap way to get an hp gain?

 

Basically, anything that you do that is cheap isn't going to make a really noticeable improvement in power. The old addage is, "Speed costs money; how fast do you want to go?" You start getting useable power gains with things that improve engine breathing more than just increased airflow through the filter; things like headers, free flowing exhaust, larger throttle body, computer chip, etc. The list goes on. -TD

 

As Tiger Dan said, changing your air filter & plugs isn't going to do squat, unless the plugs are worn out & the air filter is cloggd!!!!

If you would like to see what a go fast, kick butt, rompen stompen screamer, looks like & what it takes to do it, check out this 1997 "FrankenRanger". It's a little monster, a real sleeper at the light.

Poke around there & look up the cost of some of the FrankenRanger's performance parts, this'll give you some idea of whats needed & the cost to do it RIGHT.

http://www.harwoodperformance.bizlan...ifications.htm ENJOY!!!!!