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Truck Troubles episode 2
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Truck Troubles episode 2
In August of 2003 I was in need of a new truck. I went to the Ford dealer that has had my families business for years. I found a bored looking salesman and told him I wanted either a low mileage Ford Ranger or F150, 4 wheel drive, A/C, and no preference on color. I was on my way to work so after leaving my name and number I left for work. The next afternoon, while at work I get a call, he's found a truck if a manual transmission is OK. I said sure, but couldn't test drive it till the next morning. We agreed on a time to meet at the lot and hung up. What he had found was a brand new model no one seemed to want. It had been on the lot three weeks and everyone who looked at it said no because it had a manual transmission. 7 miles showed on the odometer when we left the lot on a test drive which meant it had been run through the test track at either Dearborn or Windsor...being 4 wheel drive it had likely been up "Power Hop Hill" a full throttle run up a rocky hill where they attempt to break springs, gears, and transfer cases. The test drive went well, and a deal was struck. Now some 10 years later it's still my daily driver (when I'm not riding the bike) and has almost 150,000 miles on the odometer.
At 140,000 miles is when I started having troubles, the A/C went out, and a set of front hub bearings failed as well...not a big deal. The past two weeks I noticed the gas mileage dropped, and it started idling real crazy...sometimes it wanted to idle at 4,000 rpm, sometimes at 200, and other times it just wouldn't idle. Normally a tank of gas would carry me 315 miles, but instead it started only making it 240 to 250 miles between fill ups. (16.5 gallon tank) So I bought a set of plugs (still running the originals... boy were they worn out!!
Then I also found a large vacuum hose with a big hole in it...
That required some creativity to replace, what I ended up using was a piece of formed heater hose that I had to trim to fit.
At 140,000 miles is when I started having troubles, the A/C went out, and a set of front hub bearings failed as well...not a big deal. The past two weeks I noticed the gas mileage dropped, and it started idling real crazy...sometimes it wanted to idle at 4,000 rpm, sometimes at 200, and other times it just wouldn't idle. Normally a tank of gas would carry me 315 miles, but instead it started only making it 240 to 250 miles between fill ups. (16.5 gallon tank) So I bought a set of plugs (still running the originals... boy were they worn out!!
Then I also found a large vacuum hose with a big hole in it...
That required some creativity to replace, what I ended up using was a piece of formed heater hose that I had to trim to fit.
Re: Truck Troubles episode 2
Getting to the spark plugs was somewhat entertaining. They cannot even be seen from the top side.
Removing the tire and wheel well you can see them, and almost reach all of them...
The grey round curved thing is the plug wire.
Ford managed to shove a 4.0 Liter V6 under the hood, but didn't give it much room for a mechanic to reach things.
my get out of a slick spot button
So after replacing the plugs, and that damaged vacuum hose it runs smooth, and has the torque I've been missing. 25 miles an hour, in overdrive, up a hill and the engine did not offer the slightest protest.
Yes it is a manual transmission
Removing the tire and wheel well you can see them, and almost reach all of them...
The grey round curved thing is the plug wire.
Ford managed to shove a 4.0 Liter V6 under the hood, but didn't give it much room for a mechanic to reach things.
my get out of a slick spot button
So after replacing the plugs, and that damaged vacuum hose it runs smooth, and has the torque I've been missing. 25 miles an hour, in overdrive, up a hill and the engine did not offer the slightest protest.
Yes it is a manual transmission
Re: Truck Troubles episode 2
http://www.ford-trucks.com/specs/2003/2003_ranger_1.html
If you want to see the difference on paper between the three engines and various options available in these trucks.
Engines
dohc I4
ohv V6
sohc V6
Size, liters/cu. in 2.3/140 3.0/182 4.0/245
Horsepower @ rpm 148 @ 5250 148 @ 4900 207 @ 5250
Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm 154 @ 3750 180 @ 3950 238 @ 3000
Availability Standard Standard Standard
EPA city / highway mpg
5-speed manual 24/29 18/23 18/23
5-speed automatic 22/26 18/22 17/22
Engine Key: l/cu. in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizontally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
If you, like me, are somewhat of a fan of these little power houses, this link might be interesting
http://www.therangerstation.com/resources/RangerHistory.htm
2003 - America's best-selling compact pickup gains a new off-road package and additional power for 2003. Ranger offers regular-cab and extended SuperCab body styles. SuperCabs have two rear fold-down jump seats as standard or optional, depending on model. SuperCabs are available with back-hinged rear doors. Regular cabs use a 6- or 7-ft straight-side cargo bed; SuperCabs get the 6-ft version. A 6-ft flare-fender Flareside bed is optional. The base engine is a 2.3-liter 4 cyl, which gains 8 hp this year, as does the available 3.0-liter V6. Also offered is a 4.0-liter V6. All use manual or 5-speed automatic transmission. Ranger has rear-wheel drive or 4WD that must be disengaged on dry pavement but includes low-range gearing. Four-wheel ABS is standard.
In other '03 changes, Ford says thicker glass and added insulation quiet Ranger's cabin. And the XLT FX4 off-road model gains a Level II version with heavy-duty shock absorbers, Torsen limited-slip axle, and special wheels and tires. Ranger's design is also used by the Mazda Truck, but the two differ slightly in styling and available features.
If you want to see the difference on paper between the three engines and various options available in these trucks.
Engines
dohc I4
ohv V6
sohc V6
Size, liters/cu. in 2.3/140 3.0/182 4.0/245
Horsepower @ rpm 148 @ 5250 148 @ 4900 207 @ 5250
Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm 154 @ 3750 180 @ 3950 238 @ 3000
Availability Standard Standard Standard
EPA city / highway mpg
5-speed manual 24/29 18/23 18/23
5-speed automatic 22/26 18/22 17/22
Engine Key: l/cu. in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizontally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
If you, like me, are somewhat of a fan of these little power houses, this link might be interesting
http://www.therangerstation.com/resources/RangerHistory.htm
2003 - America's best-selling compact pickup gains a new off-road package and additional power for 2003. Ranger offers regular-cab and extended SuperCab body styles. SuperCabs have two rear fold-down jump seats as standard or optional, depending on model. SuperCabs are available with back-hinged rear doors. Regular cabs use a 6- or 7-ft straight-side cargo bed; SuperCabs get the 6-ft version. A 6-ft flare-fender Flareside bed is optional. The base engine is a 2.3-liter 4 cyl, which gains 8 hp this year, as does the available 3.0-liter V6. Also offered is a 4.0-liter V6. All use manual or 5-speed automatic transmission. Ranger has rear-wheel drive or 4WD that must be disengaged on dry pavement but includes low-range gearing. Four-wheel ABS is standard.
In other '03 changes, Ford says thicker glass and added insulation quiet Ranger's cabin. And the XLT FX4 off-road model gains a Level II version with heavy-duty shock absorbers, Torsen limited-slip axle, and special wheels and tires. Ranger's design is also used by the Mazda Truck, but the two differ slightly in styling and available features.
Re: Truck Troubles episode 2
Glad you got her fixed up and back on the road. Don't you just love having to disassemble 1/2 the front end to change plugs?
I had a Chevy Astro Hightop conversion van that the dash had to be pulled to change something and you still couldn't get it completely fixed even after all of that. It was a bugger to work on
I had a Chevy Astro Hightop conversion van that the dash had to be pulled to change something and you still couldn't get it completely fixed even after all of that. It was a bugger to work on
PATRICE IN IL- Admin
- Posts : 5377
Join date : 2011-01-25
Age : 57
Location : Northern Illinois
Re: Truck Troubles episode 2
This is an interesting thread. I am glad you got it all fixed and running good again. Hope it last you another 150,000 miles and ten years before you have to do it again.
Rohn- Posts : 1353
Join date : 2011-12-31
Age : 66
Location : Eastern OH
Re: Truck Troubles episode 2
LOL funny you should speak of 150,000 miles, two friends bought Rangers the same year I did, one has 242,xxx miles, the other 290,xxx miles. Both are also the 4.0 liter V6 models, one is 2 wheel drive one 4 wheel drive The one with 242,xxx was traded in this past spring so we are all curious just how many miles we can get out of these trucks. Both other trucks are automatics so we'll see how that turns out as well. Yes I still have the original clutch and associated parts on the truck.
Re: Truck Troubles episode 2
The Chevy Astro was an interesting van. A friend had one that went about 300,000 miles before it cost more to fix than it would to replace the vehicle. I never had to help him work on it, but he did point out two things that were more difficult than they should have been. Can't remember now exactly what they were.
Re: Truck Troubles episode 2
My SIL did a tune up but he could never reach one of the plugs to change it.
The vehicle I miss most is my 1973 Fury, it ran like a champ until the frame rusted away. It had the BEST air conditioner by far in any vehicle I've ever owned. After a recharge it blew to 38°F and frosted the inside of the windows during the summer.
The vehicle I miss most is my 1973 Fury, it ran like a champ until the frame rusted away. It had the BEST air conditioner by far in any vehicle I've ever owned. After a recharge it blew to 38°F and frosted the inside of the windows during the summer.
PATRICE IN IL- Admin
- Posts : 5377
Join date : 2011-01-25
Age : 57
Location : Northern Illinois
Re: Truck Troubles episode 2
LOL one day I'll tell the whole story of a 77 Cougar XR7...license plate was 1BADCAT
a bit of under hood voodoo and a couple of carburetors made it a real Pony killer at Windy Hollow raceway
http://www.lunatipower.com/ProductGroup.aspx?id=287&cid=67
a bit of under hood voodoo and a couple of carburetors made it a real Pony killer at Windy Hollow raceway
http://www.lunatipower.com/ProductGroup.aspx?id=287&cid=67
Re: Truck Troubles episode 2
My truck is a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 quad cab. I never really wanted this truck. But it's run good and has over 160,000 miles on it. We're talking about getting what I want next year. We'll have some large bills paid off. I want either a Dodge or a Chevy 3/4 ton 4x4. W/the horses, I really need something bigger than what I have. Plus, I want an 8 ft bed. I don't need a quad cab as much as I need the bigger bed.
dizzy- Posts : 4019
Join date : 2012-09-21
Age : 62
Re: Truck Troubles episode 2
Chevy and I think Dodge both used to offer a "Heavy Half" basically a 1/2 ton chassis and body, with 3/4 ton springs and brakes...also sometimes called a camper special for medium duty like that and they were more affordable than similarly equipped 3/4 and one ton trucks. My FIL has a 2003 Dodge 4x4 with that 5.7 Liter V8...that thing will pull a house!
Re: Truck Troubles episode 2
I don't want to pull a house, just a camper and a horse trailer!
dizzy- Posts : 4019
Join date : 2012-09-21
Age : 62
Re: Truck Troubles episode 2
not quite done yet...gas mileage is still slightly off what it was. Last year a tank full would get me 315 miles, maybe more since I wasn't into the reserve yet. I'm still only getting 280 miles out of a tank full. Still better than the 240 or 250 I was getting...I guess O2 sensors are next. At $75.00 each, and I'll need at least 3, this is going to wait a few weeks at least.
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