Hello, I got a 19789 Ford Ranger XLT with a 6.6L engine in it and it's an automatic. I really like my truck and it is the first one I have owned but I want to be able to go on the highway with it and it be smoother than it is now but I don't know how to get there. Anyone have any ideas on how to make my truck a nice daily driver and able to go 60 maybe 70 nicely?

 

6.6 liter is a 400. Right?

I run one in a '78 F250/4wd. 4.10 rear and 31" tires.

"Smooth" may refer to ride or engine operation. As far as ride goes, OE spec springs (no overload springs!) and good replacement gas shocks gives it a good ride in my opinion.

As far as engine operation goes, I am happy running mine to 70 MPH or a bit more. Yes the engine is spinning in the low to mid 3000 RPM range, but they can take it. That is how they worked before OD and slick aerodynamics "back in the day". A quiet muffler helps avoid excess noise.

Fuel mileage at 70+ MPH? Another question. Not so good.

Is all that OK for a DD? Up to you! I drive mine "when needed" but not daily.

 

Thanks Blue and White for the feedback. I will give that shock idea a try because my shocks are factory so it would be nice to update them. Also Im glad to hear that it is normal to be around 3000 rpm. In the cab it is very noisy so I have to turn up my radio to max almost, I most bear wind and the engine, the wind is normal though because who needs aerodynamics right? But you can feel air coming from the engine bay on your legs and I'm wondering if there is a way to fix that or if it is normal? Also would replacing all the cab weatherstrip help?

 

"As original" air on the legs could come from the factory fresh air vents (drivers and passengers side) and/or the heater. If both are shut off, there should not be a lot of air.

Fresh weather strip can help quite a bit. It will not make the doors 100% air proof but can reduce noise and air flow.

 

My F350s (460s with C6) ride terribly when empty. Almost hate to take them on a trip cuz they just beat on you. But, I found that dropping 500 lbs of something in the bed, preferably behind the axle, helps to smooth them out.

I came back from LA with a cross bed toolbox, a job box, and enough tile for my bathroom, and it rode pretty good!

Over the San Diego mountains at 75 mph and 3000 rpm. Actually had to work at keeping it down to 75

If your truck and engine are in good shape, I wouldn't worry about daily driving nor 3000 rpm. Enjoy it!

 

I agree with the others, good tires , shocks, good running engine , it will run 70mph all day long. I use mine as my daily driver...

 

All good information. I really like that someone said the RPM at 70 is normal before OD. I drive a big rig with a max of 2000 RPM, when I get into my DD with OD trany it sounds like it is screaming at 2000 RPM@70MPH.
They do make OD units that bolt on the back of the trany but they are not cheap and you would need to put many miles on the truck for pay back.


Now for the "good tires" if being used as a DD you most likely don't carry a lot of weight so you don't need the tires pumped up to max. Lower them down to get a good ride, handling and foot print.
I even do this on my DD SUV to get a better ride. If you don't do the service on the truck you may find it rides ruff after service as they pump the tires up to max again.
Dave ----

 

I just drove my 79 F250 with a 351M over a thousand miles across the country on highway. Everything on the truck is stock, including the wheels. I thought it rode pretty nice at 75 MPH other than the AC doesn't work and the rubber inside the doors was worn out so everything was rattling.

As soon as I got home I got one of those anti-rattler kits to take care of the doors. Someday I'll get the AC working and redo the interior with some sound deadening material. After that, I think it would be a perfectly fine daily driver.

 

They were daily drivers when they were built. Just sayin.......

 

I daily drive my '78 and put roughly 15,000 miles on it a year. In fact I replaced the original engine (it was tired at 307k and oil was beginning to disappear faster and faster) last week and have since put another 1200 miles on it.

My only word of caution to you is to be careful with the replacement parts they make for these things nowadays. I put a new fuel pump on my new engine only to have it fail at 280 miles, in traffic. After I rigged something up to get me home I put the old pump with 60,000 miles on it back in. So much for preventive maintenance....
I once went through every alternator in Waco before I found one that would actually charge, and don't even get me started on starters...

 

Just get in the mind set of 1978, These may be old now but they were dang nice when new. Every time I get in the old 78 I just kind of relax and get that WTF feeling and slow down a little. Cheapest therapy I can think of. Let the world pass, they are in a hurry to nowhere.