Cheap Upgrades?

[88MercWagon]

I've heard that ported GT40 upper and lower intakes are a great upgrade.

They're a great upgrade, but not on E6 heads. I would think you should at least have E7's and 1.7RR's.

[Archangel]

Go to the junk yard. You can find an 8.8 with 3.55s or 3.73s and a trac-lock for cheap ($50 for both gears and carrier at the local pull apart yard here). That'll save you a lot of money as long as you get good gears (no excessive wear).

What Ford vehicle came out of the factory with the 3.73s and a track lock? Some Explorer maybe, or an F150 truck? Model years will be helpfull as well

[Freshmeat]

Lots of '94+ Explorers had 3.55s, 3.73s, and 4.10s and traclock. Problem is, they were 31-spline, so you need to also tear into a Panther or Mustang axle and take the spider gears from a 28-spline unit to swap 'em into the 31-spline unit. It's easier to swap the spider gears than to attempt to pull ring and pinion while in the junk yard.

[gadget73]

Or just get a set of used gears that are already pulled, since really if you're opening up a high mileage rear, it should be rebuilt with new bearings and seals. The traction lock also should be rebuilt, especially since the kit costs a whopping $50.

Stock HO upper and throttle body are a good cheap intake upgrade. Anything more on a stock motor is just a waste of money. Stock upper, tb, and a bored spacer can probably be had for maybe $60 all told and the lower intake doesnt need to come off. More intake is just not neccessary with the stocker heads.

[Archangel]

You know, I'm not too inclined to spend money on a regular limited slip, I'd rather save up and throw a Powertrax or even a manually controlled locker unit. I think I'll limit myself to some gears for now, but I'm still debating between the 3.73s and the 4.10s - 3.73 will be better for all-arond driving, but 4.10 will be great for city and will also force me to slow down on the interstate, which is actually a good thing seing how I've been driving for the last month or so.

[Tiggie]

Almost all Ranger 4.0's have the 8.8 with 28-spline axles and almost always have at least 3.55 gears. The exception is newer FX4 Level-II's, they have 31-splines and Torsen LS.

[Archangel]

Nah, everyone and their mom have 3.55, I want something with more haul-ass capabilities

[Tiggie]

My low-option Ranger has 3.73's. You'll find 3.73's in most, 4.10's in many, and 3.55's in some.

[Archangel]

Oh, okay then, Ranger hunting it is - are axle codes for those still the same as the ones for Panthers?

[Freshmeat]

Just climb under and read the tag.

[Tiggie]

Ranger Axle Codes:


Note: I've never, ever, never, ever, ever seen any 4.56 gear Rangers factory.

[Archangel]

OK, so I'm looking for a 96, 97, R6 or R7 axle... good to know, thank you.