Ranger Question..
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Alberta, Canada
Ranger Question..
So I recently got a 5spd, 90 Ranger reg cab, short box. New 5" lift with 31" tires. It looks nice but I got it to just drive around town and winter driving. It has 279K on the 2.9L V6. Today was the first time I took it on the highway up some hills. I was quite suprised that it basically maxed out at 80kph. Going up a steep hill I was lucky to get 50kph. I use the truck to get back and forth to work (about 7K). It's great for that and even with the tires it's good on gas. I was wondering how I could get some more power out of my engine? It starts great and runs fine... So I don't think I have to replace it.. I'll kill it then replace it. Is there any easy and or cheap ways to get some juice out of this high milage beast? I believe everything is stock besides the lift/tires and exhaust. I think it has some cherry bombs.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,757
Likes: 70
From: Elk River, MN
The easy way would be to swap the rear axle for a higher numerical ratio, so the engine would get up some RPM's to develop HP and torque. When you increased the tire diameter from 28" to 31" you changed the effective axle ratio to something too numerrically low to negotiate hills without down shifting.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 8,462
Likes: 4
From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
Yep, ranger pat said it just perfectly.
Check either on the rear axle for a tag with the code on it, or use this:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/article/...r_Decoder.html
Since I believe 215s were standard in '90, with 225s as an option, I used a middle size between them.
If you had 3.73 gears, your effective ratio is now 3.13, which is what is killing your power. Swapping in a set of 4.45s (not available) would bring it back perfect, so I'd say you're looking at either 4.30s (more mileage, lower RPMs) or 4.56s (less mileage, higher RPMs). The difference will be negligible between the two, but that'll put you back near your stock power. Personally, I'd go for the 4.56s and nothing less.
Check either on the rear axle for a tag with the code on it, or use this:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/article/...r_Decoder.html
Since I believe 215s were standard in '90, with 225s as an option, I used a middle size between them.
If you had 3.73 gears, your effective ratio is now 3.13, which is what is killing your power. Swapping in a set of 4.45s (not available) would bring it back perfect, so I'd say you're looking at either 4.30s (more mileage, lower RPMs) or 4.56s (less mileage, higher RPMs). The difference will be negligible between the two, but that'll put you back near your stock power. Personally, I'd go for the 4.56s and nothing less.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Alberta, Canada
Would it cost more to just get stock tires or replace the axle? I could always slap on the mudders in the winter. I'm getting a tuneup on the engine now to see if I can get anything out of that. It needed it anyway. I'll try the same hill and see if I get better results.
Thanks for the info guys!
Thanks for the info guys!
Carpenter Local 745
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,794
Likes: 11
From: on da beach
Believe it or not wider than stock tires on a lifted truck are safer. They help with stability, so suggestions about regearing you truck would be the best thing to do. I know it is expensive, but well worth getting the engine back into its' powerband.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Alberta, Canada
After the tuneup my mechanic found that the distributor was really loose. He fix it and tweaked the idle a little bit. Soon as I drove it out of the garage I found the difference. I took it up the same hill as before and got about 75kph instead of 40kph. I could go a whole gear higher up it. My max speed could probably get 75kph on a level road. Now I got to about 115kph before I had to slow down. Needless to say it's a world of difference. Even though I don't plan on doing much highway driving it's nice to know it can now handle it.
