Tech Thread - Ford Ranger

[civic minded]

cool find dude

[nick009]

well its out of warranty by 10k km (reach 70k) this same thing happened to a guy who reached 65k
new head from firm =18g (non in stock)
Got a head from Ramai`s Auto Supplies in Marabella ($5000), Boodram and sons sold all their "headmaster" brand heads so had no choice.
This is a bare head so had to transfer everything from the old head to this one
had to remachine 10 valves for them to sit back properly for the 45degree angle
had to buy two new valves (the two intake in cylinder no.3 had to replace from damage from the water getting in)
new timing belt -changed it one time
new head gasket
new valve seals
new camshaft seal
plus labour

Total cost about $8400 -i think, will know today

Hi. i think i have the same problem you have - rough idle when engine cold, low coolant level etc... you have a contact number for boodram and sons? and do you know where they are located?

And where you got the rest of the parts?

I preparing for the worst

not good news, when i called boodrams they had no more heads.This was about 2 months ago thou when mine cracked. I got my head from ramai`s. I heard a place in couva has heads i will find out where.

Boodrams is 673-3684 located in freeport.

you should be able to get the valves and valve seals from boodrams too or check ramai`s
i got my head gasket and valve seats from ramai`s
Dont buy no taiwanese brands

Also if your engine is not too old and valves in good condition, you could possibly resuse them with a little machining
But if your head is cracked the cylinder it cracked on ,the valves on this one will need replacing.

Good luck

[vharripersad]

Use my 4H for something real today went La Vega up a high steep loose gravel hill. Started loosing traction on 2H so switch to 4H. On the way done though I had to control speed and do less braking with the loose gravel so I went into 4L. 4x4 is so cool to have, thank god i invested in one.

Anyone knows of any off roads trails that beginners like me could practise on? Trails where 2H will not make and u will need to engage 4H/l BUT AT THE SAME TIME will not stick, atleast for beginners?

[homeboy]

Hey guys, My Ranger normally is parked up when i am working for about 5 weeks, only take a round d village drive on weekends and back in the garage, now my wife told me she took the van out the garage and left it in the road and when she went back to start it nothing is happening. She call the Mec who living next door and he checked and said it has to be something electrical as far as he is seeing.......waiting now for someone to check the electrical...anyone ever had this issue or something similar to this?

[lighthammer]

vharripersad - good job man, yes 4x4 is frickin awesome. U gonna come on the next unofficial diesel boyz mini-run? would be good to have more enthusiasts!


homeboy - the truck needs to be started every couple days and run for 5 mins or so to keep ur battery charged. Otherwise it'll run down even when switched off. Alternatively you coul disconnect the positive lead on the battery so there's no power going through the system which would again drain the battery.

[vharripersad]

My Ford Ranger 2010, the remote. What website to order another one and where can I get the programming instructions?

Ask for a spare but the stealership price too high!!!

[Rainman]

Thinking about purchasing a ranger, i don't need the 4x4 option and i need automatic so that other family members can use it. The ranger is the cheapest option so far, what are you opinions on the 4x2 auto from McEnearney?

[lighthammer]

I drove a 4x4 auto, TDCi engine.

I thought it to be a very smooth engine, and strong as well. I didn't like the relatively cramped interior and rear backseat of the ranger (else I'd have bought the 3.0 TDCi instead of the navara).

Ride quality was decent, esp. considering that the front suspension are torsion-bars instead of coilsprings. However be warned that once the torsion bars are broken in (i.e. after the first 1500-2000km) they'll start to loosen up and the ride will become a little harsher and bumpier. If you want SUV-like comfort then you should opt for the navara/hilux/sportero.

Here's my thoughts on a mazda bt-50, which is basically a clone of the Ranger (chassis, suspension and engines). I test-drove the 2.5 TDCI bt-50, (aka. the 2.5 MZ-CR engine).


Another warning, I've heard from various Ford owners, and experienced for myself, the poor quality service at McEarney Motors. Both in sales and after-sales service. The InOne financing/service/insurance plan isn't worth the extra money unless you can afford it.

Also the WLT engines have a tendency to overheat and crack the cylinder heads, haven't heard much complaints about the TDCi engines though.

Oh, and one more thing - the "Hurricane" and "Thunder" upgrade packages are a waste of money - better buy the bare-bones Ranger and then add on the accessories yourself. I know a guy who can supply the accessories real cheap and does quality work too (he's officially recommended by Neal & Massy but he does other brands too).

[Jeremy Mohd]

As a family van.. no; go lux or Navara, The ride and fit in the back of the ranger is not suited for you.

It's mostly me and 1 passenger most times, so the space doesnt really bother me.
You cannot go wrong with the TDCi though... veryy powerful. and on those lighter 4x2 models, makes it feel even more powerful.

[Mr. Red Sleeper]

Change the tyres as soon as you buy the 4x2 if you decide to go that way.
The crapstone that they come with slides ALL OVER wet road, and that in addition to the "ABS" = disaster.

[Cooper]

Went in for my 25K service and I'm not satisfied.

Made the appointment for 7am and I was the first person in the service area this morning to drop off my vehicle. They usually would take 2 hours max and then they would call me.... I had end up calling them around 11:30am and then I collected the vehicle closer to noon.

The truck was not washed, and they use a friggin FRAM oil filter instead of the original ford oil filter.

Really NOT Pleased....

This is he first time I've had a real problem with Ford Service.... that oil filter is coming off ASAP right after I cuss someone.



UPDATE:

just called Ford Service.... the CSR was kinda rude on the phone and immediately cut me off while I was explaining the problem and gave me the service manager's cell number.

I called the service manager and explained my problem with the sh!tty FRAM oil filter and I asked him to confirm their policy on replacement spares/consumables

..... and he did admit that they always use original Ford replacement parts..... he also mentioned that the CSR should have explained to me that they did not have the part in stock (they will be getting a shipment in a few days)... so they will change the filter for me and top up the oil.

[civic minded]

^^damn that is real crap and they are boasting of having good customer service? at least at the end they will replace your filter and oil topup.

[Cooper]

Went back to Ford Service this morning and they changed the oil filter to an original ford replacement part. Entire process took ten minutes... no charge. The mechanic who did the change out for me did admit that he warned the spare parts section about the crappy FRAM filters..... but apparently they don't listen to the guys who actually service the vehicles.... the people who can give them valuable information on how spare parts perform between servicing.

The Service Manager and mechanic was very professional I'll give them back some points for that. But if I get a follow up call about my last service, they will get an earfull.

BTW, some of you might think all oil filters are the same.... just go on youtube, or a simply google Fram oil filter reviews, it will really open your eyes

[Cooper]

There are tons of videos about oil filter reviews, so I picked one of them to drive my point home....

The Motorcraft is the same brand used by Ford.... it's better that the Fram, but not the best.





and these are just for fun...

[Mr. Red Sleeper]

Guys,
Looking for a right front axle and 1 of these rims(n tyre if possible-see pic below)) for a friend.
Pm me...
thanks

[JD......]

Went back to Ford Service this morning and they changed the oil filter to an original ford replacement part. Entire process took ten minutes... no charge. The mechanic who did the change out for me did admit that he warned the spare parts section about the crappy FRAM filters..... but apparently they don't listen to the guys who actually service the vehicles.... the people who can give them valuable information on how spare parts perform between servicing.

The Service Manager and mechanic was very professional I'll give them back some points for that. But if I get a follow up call about my last service, they will get an earfull.

BTW, some of you might think all oil filters are the same.... just go on youtube, or a simply google Fram oil filter reviews, it will really open your eyes

got this today after doing my 15K service, but instead of FRAM they used some Black club, and did the same but they said i have to wait until january. they told me yesterday that they did have the ford though......on the plus side they have amsoil synthetic again

[Jeremy Mohd]

JD,

How come your still servicing at the Firm?

With the lifted suspension, didnt that void your warranty?

Or are you just going back for choice/convinience?

Thats the only thing holding me back from lifting my ranger.

That, and I think the auto transmission is proned to problems.

[JD......]

it void the suspension warrenty, thats all, i'll stay with the firm for the first 30K kms just to make sure all is well before i touch the engine.

Cons of lift:cause of the lift and raised torsions the boot rolls on itself, and can lead to the boot cutting it self early, i make sure they are clean on a weekly basis.

some of the people dont impress me with their knowledge, and personally i dont trust some.

the 4x4action site out of OZ is a big help in identifying problems early, do not depend on the people at the firm for answers.

[Jeremy Mohd]

Didnt realize you can void the 'suspension' or any other aspect of your warranty. Thouught it kept as a whole. I will kinda want that in writing from FORD though, they have a habit of going back on their word.

I'll research the boot issue; thanks for the heads up.

You did a 2 inch lift front/rear? Completely done by James? (The Ironman guy from LaRomaine?)

[lighthammer]

Most warranties cover :
1. Body & Chassis
2. Engine, includ. electrical
3. Suspension + Brakes


They cover each aspect separately, and voiding one shouldn't affect the others (usually).

But you're right in that you should get it in writing by a manager or at least supervisor before doing anything drastic to void any aspect of the warranty.

[JD......]

i have had enough of lookin over all of their work, once im confient that all is looking well, ill do my own thing. personally the techs are good but the other people i dont trust.
the suspension is the full kit, everything was done by james the suspension has it own 2 year warrenty.

good luck in getting something in writing from ford

[vharripersad]

I know this is Ford Ranger forum, but my other vehicle NZE PBY series when i press the accelarator, engine looses power for a few seconds before picking up. Going by mechanic tomorrow, any reason why this may be happening? I wanna know before the mechanic rip me off, thanks

[Cooper]

could be a number of things.... fuel delivery to injectors, TPS, fuel pump, coil packs.... you might want to check the guys in the Toyota (MANUFACTURER SPECIFIC) forum for a better idea.

[vharripersad]

Cooper, corolla working good now, Paid 265 for parts and labour mechanic service injectors and change plugs or plug wire something like that, car starting and running smoothly now. the problem i described earlier, the mechanic called it "the engine missing".

I went Piarco last night on the way to and from, rain but plenty water on highway, plenty water on road surface. at 60km/hr, my bridgestone stock tyres on my 2010 manual 4x4 xlt was drifting. Was it safe for me to go into 4H? I was afraid to use it incase I damage something mechanical. please advise..

[lighthammer]

^^ ah, the old bridgestone-on-a-wet-road story - McEarney motors should exchange the bridgestone duelers with a set of 4 rollerblades on the ranger instead - you'd probably get better traction with the rollerskates!!


IMO - switching to 4wd/4H on tarmac is a bad idea, even on wet tarmac. 4WD is meant for grabbing traction loose, slippery surfaces and you'd still have sufficient traction on tarmac (even wet, slippery tarmac) that would negate the need for 4wd. If you with 4wd engaged on tarmac, you risk driveline-binding and literally breaking your differentials (as in they will literally crack into pieces cuz of all the torque winding on itself through the gears).


Better thing to do is to just slow down and drive at a speed that gives you enough traction to drive safely. What's the sense in speeding along through a wet road/turn, even with 4H engaged?

Safety first dude - let's start 2011 on a good note .


All the best!

[Jeremy Mohd]

vharripersad... my 2c.. get rid of those tyres, they are down right dangerous.

I held onto them too long to get a trade in, but you can get them sold in the classifieds for 1800 - 2000 according to your treadwear/once they are not cuttting/etc
Go to about a 265/70 All terrain tyre -> Toyo (I can fully vouch for these)/BFG/Kumho/Michellin etc.

With the torque in the Ranger, on wet roads, you really will need to be more careful.
And as LH said - no, do NOT engage the 4x4 in that situation. Slow down.

Cheers man

[Cooper]

vharripersad, what's the mileage on your truck right now

I'm still running the stock tires like you, but lately I've noticed a little more than usual loss in traction especially when I push the limits (I generally drive slow on public roads because of these shitty tires.)

At first it was an excuse to have a little fun on the empty wet roads in my area (especially going sideways around corners ) but lately it's been getting just downright dangerous and unpredictable.....even skidding on dry pavement.

Have to start hunting around for a good set of BFG's

[vharripersad]

My mileage is 36K. I think i may go with the BFG cause my dad got in his pickup and it holds the road well.
Jeremy, u saying 265/70 is the size to go with? Good for the ranger or should I look at something bigger/broader? And would it touch my mud guard or fender?And whats the price and where to buy?
How often I have to service my Ranger injectors? Do i have to remind the firm to do this?
What RPM to rev up to before changing in #2,3,4 and 5? I heard the more u rev up., the faster u kill ur engine and the less u rev up, the deader ur engine?

People please advise, sorry if I sound like I don't know about vehicles, but I really don't know about them.

[lighthammer]

^^ 265/70 might touch on the front guards of the Ranger. You'd have to wind up the Torsion bars just to get proper clearance, and even so you might ever so often get a slight rub.

255/70 or 255/65 would fit perfectly and no rub.


Surprised at the ranger/bt-50 needing narrower tyres though, I though 265/70's would fit well.

[vharripersad]

Thanks lighthammer, advice noted.
Any other responses to my other questions to all members of this forum?