My new to me Ranger

[Derekj]

After severely abusing my wife's Sidekick we thought it might be a good idea to move into something a little bigger. We already have a 2wd Ranger so why not get a 4wd Ranger.

The Kick!

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b27/derek_j/IMG_2343-1.jpg

The Ranger right after I bought it.

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b27/derek_j/IMG_2814.jpg

The Ranger now!

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b27/derek_j/IMG_3072.jpg

Derek

[TheOtherSide]

Nice Ranger...

That Kick looked like a beast!!!

[Derekj]

Got some new goodies for the truck in the last few weeks. Just need to find the time to put them on the truck:woot:

Front locker,

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b27/derek_j/IMG_3322.jpg

Sliders,

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b27/derek_j/IMG_3323.jpg

Derek

[Jeremy]

Sweet!! I really need to get my sliders on.

[240 Jordy]

I took my sliders off to make room for the tires now I have to carry a ladder to get in. What a pain! . . . LOL!

Glad to see you've still got more plans for the Ranger Derek!




:canadian:

[Derekj]

That Kick looked like a beast!!!

The Kick was a beast - especially running the bias ply TSL's! But she made it through the Rubicon last year. That was the last 4x4 trip I did in it. That's one of my favorite pictures I have of the truck. I think I need a tissue now;)

Derek

[TheOtherSide]

I took my slider off to make romm for the tires now I have to carry a ladder to get in. What a pain! . . . LOL!

Glad to see you've still got more plans for the Ranger Derek!




:canadian:

What happened to your sliders?

[Derekj]

Well I got the locker installed - will try it out this weekend hopefully. Didn't take any pictures, forgot my camera at home. I managed to score a deal on a front winch bumper for my truck as well. Just need to go pick it up now. Guess that means I need to buy a winch now too. It never ends does it:headspin:

Derek

[240 Jordy]

Good to hear Derek!

The 8274s come up on Craigslist a fair bit for $500 or less. But never when you have the cash! . . . LOL!




:canadian:

[Derekj]

Good to hear Derek!

The 8274s come up on Craigslist a fair bit for $500 or less. But never when you have the cash! . . . LOL!




:canadian:

I want to go with a new winch - plus the bumper is set up for a standard winch mount.

Derek

[Derekj]

Updates!

Installed a Ruffstuff diff cover - very beefy!

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b27/derek_j/IMG00200.jpg

Broke my exhaust manifold trying to show off.

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b27/derek_j/IMG_0003-1.jpg

Put in a new one - that will teach me :nono:

Derek

[TheOtherSide]

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b27/derek_j/IMG_0003-1.jpg



That should buff out easy with a little elbow grease! :D

[Derekj]

The funny thing is I broke the manifold by hitting my muffler on a big rock. Didn't even dent my Flowmaster but broke the manifold right in half.

Derek

[Lone Ranger]

2.9L or 4.0L? Shouldn't be too tough to swap in a set of headers. LR

[Derekj]

2.9L or 4.0L? Shouldn't be too tough to swap in a set of headers. LR

2.9lt - would love to do a 4.0 swap one day but want to spend the money on the suspension before the motor.

Derek

[Lone Ranger]

Oh for sure. I've owned two of both, and I like both for different reasons. The 4.0L obviously has more power and torque (and tends to be a little more quiet and reliable), but a bit lower gears and the 2.9L pulls the truck along just fine while netting quite a bit better fuel mileage than its larger brother. IMO, if you're going to go through the hassle of doing the swap, just straight up to a 302 or something V8 - pretty much the same fuel mileage with FAR more power, plus you have the option of better transmissions and t-cases. I've owned a couple 4.0Ls now, both a OHV and SOHC, and neither are really that impressive for what they are; fuel mileage is harsh and you only have marginally more power than a 2.9L to be honest, but the torque is what you're really gaining, especially with the earlier OHV engines (which were better engines than the SOHC 4.0Ls as far as I'm concerned). I'm not a fan at all of the newer SOHC 4.0L engines, mine has already eaten up a set of sparkplugs in 40k, and the grunt torque of my old OHV 4.0L just isn't there. The only good thing I can say about it is that it can pull a surprisingly heavy load without complaining, if I keep it over 2000 rpm.

A 2.3L turbo gas or diesel swap would be sweet too, both produce decent power numbers. LR

[Derekj]

Bit of an update. Managed to get a free Explorer from a customer at work so looks like my truck will be getting a 4.0lt sooner than later :party:. I pulled the wiring and such last week and now just need to remove the last tranny bolt and pull the motor. Going to tear it down and do a rebuild as it has 245k on it, but compression was over 150 on all cylinders. Stay tuned for pictures.......

Derek

[TheOtherSide]

Yay for power!!

[Derekj]

So I took a few parts off my donor Explorer and put them on the wife's Ranger tonight. The grill is different than Rangers and she got some illuminated sunvisors! Important things for a girl;)

Picture of the 2 grills,

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b27/derek_j/IMG_3730.jpg

The visors,

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b27/derek_j/IMG_3731.jpg

Derek

[MatS]

Bit of an update. Managed to get a free Explorer from a customer at work

Derek

The best price!!

[Derekj]

Finally got the motor out of the truck. Changed a bunch of gaskets and pulled the heads off. Will replace all the valve stem seals as a few were leaking and hopefully have it in my truck by Monday!

Dirty motor

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b27/derek_j/IMG_0104.jpg

New water pump and timing cover gasket

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b27/derek_j/IMG_0105.jpg

Cleaned the oil pan as best as possible with the solvent tank but still dirty. I sure miss the Cuda washer from my last job:(

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b27/derek_j/IMG_0107.jpg

Pulled the heads and that was it for today

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b27/derek_j/IMG_0106.jpg

[TheOtherSide]

Looking good...

[Derekj]

Few more updates - pulled the heads and replaced leaky valve stem seals. Assembled with all new gaskets - changed every gasket - don't want any oil leaks.

Heads back on.

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b27/derek_j/IMG_0111.jpg

All assembled.

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b27/derek_j/IMG_0113.jpg

I decided to use all OEM parts for this build as well.

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b27/derek_j/IMG_0114.jpg

Pulling the 2.9 out tomorrow and installing the new motor. Won't have enough time to do it all in one day so I plan on towing the truck home and finishing it in my garage at home after work.

I was going to power wash the engine and paint it up but figured it will be a waste of time as it will get all dirty soon enough.

[Derekj]

Has been a productive few days. Motor is in, wiring is done, accessories bolted on. Just need to get a new fan belt and fan blade as this one is all cracked.

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b27/derek_j/IMG_0121.jpg

Just waiting for the fan blade and some coolant. Tomorrow it goes vroom vroom :woot: I am looking forward to having 55 more ft/lbs of torque!

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b27/derek_j/IMG_0122.jpg

Derek

[TheOtherSide]

Vroom Vroom!!! Nice work!

[Derekj]

IT RUNS!!! Sure can feel the difference in power - will probably burn more gas now because it is more fun to drive:D

Derek