I just bought a 2002 regualr cab 3.0 ranger 4wd with the auto transmission, I was wondering which air intake would be the best bang for my buck?

 

What are you looking to get out of the truck? And how much are you willing to spend? Is this going to be your only mod or do you plan on following with other things?

If you plan on just getting one thing, get a chip or programmer. If you are planning on doing the main three upgrades (intake, exhaust, chip), Volant makes a very good intake that gets good reviews.

I'd suggest going for a chip or programmer to begin with if you are planning on only one upgrade or want quick seat of the pants power. Bama makes a great programmer. They're pretty expensive, but add a good bit of power in most applications, plus raise your MPG a couple typically.

 

I am looking to do all three, for the exhaust I was thinking ofhaving a buddy who owns a local exhaust shop do it, the chip more then likely Jet, air intake is the only thing that I was unsure of because there are so many kits on the market.

 

Sounds like you have a good plan.

Volant has some good reputation, though the 3.0L isn't a hotrod engine. Hopefully someone on here will chime in with another brand to at least let you compare.

 

Go to www.jusnesmodified.com, he's a memeber here and has all the major brands at good prices. AEM has the new dryflow filter that doesn't need oil, airaid has the quick fit system that utilizes the bottom of your stock airbox for good filter protection, volant has the enclosed system thats also good for filter protection. K&N is the worse, because they filter poorly. I have the k&n intake with the AEM dryflow filter only because AEM doesn't make an intake for my 04 yet, or it would be on there. I'm also pretty impressed with airaid, volant is a little to enclosed for my likeing, but hear nothing but good things about them, it would be btween those 3. Whatever intake you get, make sure it has a good heatsheild that seals to the bottom of the hood to keep out engine heat. AEM and airaid both do and volant doesn't need it. Give Bob Jusnes a look over and see what 3.0 applications are available, I know not as many as for the 4.0, but theres some.

 

Jet is a waste of money, one generic tune doesn't fit all. The bama is the only programer for the ranger, it's tuned spcifically to your computer and mods, it's an awesome product that delievers the goods and his worth every penny. If you get no other mod, you'll want the bama, you'll feel the difference. Bob sells bama as well, it's a must have on a ranger. Also Bob has a good price on his under drive pulley for the 3.0, it's around 80 bucks and will free up some extra ponies. You'll find all kinds of go fast parts at jusnes modified, it's a ranger candy store ha ha.

 

I have the Volant on my 4.0 and I'm very happy with it. Before, when I gave it gas, there would be a lag now there is immediate power.

 

Will the bama work on an '87 with the 2.3?

 

'87 is OBD I, Bama works for OBDII systems. FTE has a forum for chips and programers.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum46/
Check it out and do some searching for that year and let us know what you find.

 

Bama programers work with the OBD II systems, Doug may do a chip for the older applications, but I'm not sure on that one, you can contact him at www.bama chips .com.

 

I may have 50 bucks in my intake, and i must say looks very nice. Did it all from parts from autozone here locally. I have gotten severall complements on it. I also put on a duel exhaust, single in double out flowmaster with 4 inch tips Lightning style. LOL or as my brother would say NASCAR style. I think it sounds damn good. It actually sounds like a cummings diesel when i get on it.

 

cddz, what did you use to make yours? I ordered a tube for mine but when I got it, it didn't fit, so I stuck one of the tubes on from Autozone (the flexible ones). Worked great, but ended up sliding backwards and hitting the radiator pulley, cutting a nice little hole in the tube. Wasn't worried since it only had to last two days after that, put some electrical tape on it, super glue, and used an extra peice of 18 gauge wire from my stereo to tie it around the radiator vent tube to the overflow tank.

 

Autozone caries the chrome plastic tubes, I just cut the stock intake hose to where it cleared the fan shroud. heated it and inserted chrome tube. i reused the MAF adapter(including the plastic airbox insert). if your intake is set up like mine you will need 3"x3" rubber adapter, 6" and 4" tube. you will also need the gromet kit, breather filter, and of cource thier "power adder filter", and an additional 3" hose clamp. If i could figure out how to put pictures on the forum i would post them. the filter will adapt to the MAF input pleneum. You will have to cut the rubber boot that the wires go into the air box to get the MAF assy out of the air box. I used a dremmel to shape the plastic around the MAF housing. with a little heat the 3" rubber adapter will fit nicely around the output of the MAF Housing. Sorry if i am confusing. But 50 bucks sure beats the $277 that K&N wants for the same thing except mine is shinny.

Forgot one thing, the add'l hose clamp is for the stock intake house where i inserted the chrome tubing. you can shave the fist ridge off the stock intake hose to make the hose clamp on it fully, not really needed because it is a tight seal, but it makes all the difference in appearances.

 

"My God man", don't be so tight, you spend all that money on a truck, then your to tight to give it a proper intake. Did you just drill holes in the muffler to keep from buying a catback? Make yourself a tb spacer from a block of wood, search the boneyards for a jet chip or just barrow your buddies programer for 5 minutes ha ha.

 

You know...I laugh...but I've seen that...