b.b.

Just got a '98, 3.0 V6 manual 2 wheel drive ranger. 74,000 miles.
Extended cab. Intended use is daily driver and regular hauling and
towing. Not going to off-road at all.
What are the common problems to look for?
What are a few things that can be done to increase mileage? Not
looking to make an economy car out of it, but saving gas is still nice.
I intend to put in a better exhaust system soon since the current one
is badly corroded and will need to be replaced anyway somewhere in the
next year. What are the trade-offs in various after market exhaust
systems? What to look for? Texas/Travis county emissions. Quiet
preferred.
Also, it has the stepside bed, which I'm not very fond of. I'm
pawing through junkyards and auctions to see if I can find a regular bed
that'll work. Anyone know if other makes, like Mazda, are also
candidates? Any other differences between the beds? Gas cap still in
the same place?
The truck is faster than I need it to be, has a 7.5" 373 rear end.
I'd like to switch to a 410. About a 10% speed drop. Is there any
advantage or drawback to getting an 8.8" rear end vs. the 7.5"? I've
read that it's a direct replacement, so if it's a wash I'll just use
whatever I find first. Any way to figure how much of a hit my mileage
will take?

--
B.B. --I am not a goat! thegoat4 at airmail dot net

bob urz

What kind of mileage are you getting with it now?

Bob


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don

Clutch slave cylinder leaking. AC compressor clutch goes to pieces.
Vehicle speed sensor on differential fails -- inexpensive.
DPFE sensor causes EGR fault code P0401. Mass air flow sensor gets
dirty and out of calibration. Keep a quality well-fitted air filter
on the truck, NOT K&N!! Throttle body and idle air control valve get
gummed up causing idle problems. Otherwise not a whole lot of trouble with these.


Clean well-fitting air filter, tires inflated to Ford spec, fires on
all 6 plugs, proper oil in crankcase, minimal wind drag from whatever
you are planning to tow -- all these will prevent gratuitous loss of
fuel mileage. Enhancing it above factory will be very difficult and
with minimal gains -- for sure NOT cost effective.

Might as well stay stock. Leave the catalytic convertor alone if it
is in good shape. By the way it is covered by federal emissions
warranty for 8 years/80k miles so might still be barely under warranty
depending when the truck was originally purchased. Unless you modify
the engine for performance with higher RPMs etc. you have little or
nothing to gain (except noise) with exhaust system modifications.

Probably a Mazda B series will bolt right on.

Why? Your mileage will suffer, your engine will be louder, your
maximum speed will be decreased but to what advantage? If you don't
want to go 110 MPH nobody is forcing you to. Only advantage would be
a little more zip -- particularly from a standstill. All of this is
contrary to your interest in mileage. The only possible reason I can
see for doing this is if you are taxing the truck to the limit with
whatever you are planning to tow.


That would not be easy to calculate, but it will be more than you
could ever recoup with allegedly enhanced freer flowing exhaust system
components.

Don (also in Travis County)
http://www.donsautomotive.com

b.b.

Thanks. I did look it over today, flushed out the engine, put on a
decent oil filter, changed plugs and topped off the fluids. The clutch
reservoir was empty. Filled it back up and got bubbles for a while as
the line refilled, but the pedal doesn't seem spongy. Bleed it anyway?
DPFE sensor? Whazat?


OK, then I guess I've got it covered. Oh, one thing, how do I get
the fuel filter off? Fought with it for about ten minutes then decided
to leave it be for now.

Would I be able to get it fixed at a Ford dealership under this
warranty? Could they at least tell me if it's covered? Or is the
warranty strictly on the converter itself and I'm on my own for the
remainder of the exhaust?

I just might. (:
As I drive it around I'm getting more used to it, so I may very well
nix that idea. Depends on what happens after I put a hitch on it.
Mostly pulling around friend's boats, farm crap, and dead vehicles. And
Uhauls.
But reverse is still way too fast for my comfort.


If I find I actually need a lower gear then the fuel economy impact
isn't a concern anymore. Gotta have priorities.


Howdy.

--
B.B. --I am not a goat! thegoat4 at airmail dot net

picasso

You're putting a lot of money in to a toy truck. replacing rear ends
and boxes etc, theres no reason a mazda box shouldn't fit. they're the
same truck. the ranger boxes from 93-05 will fit the 91 rangers for
sure, because i helped my buddy put one on.

backyard mechanic

8.8: No advantage unless you're pulling stumps or whatever....

4:10 : On the one hand you want to improve gas mileage, on the other you
want more 'scratch'. Reason ford went to low rpm at cruise is to save gas.

Faster engine goes under light load, more gas it uses for same work.

Finger in air, I'd say 5% hit for 10% increase in RPM at highway cruise.
May actually get a little better while getting up to speed depending on
accel and shift habits.

--
Yeh, I'm a Krusty old Geezer, putting up with my 'smartass' is the price
you pay..DEAL with it!