Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - 96 Ranger 4-cyl upgrade questions

rogner · 12-24-2003, 01:52 PM

I'm new to this board, but I have already learned a ton from what has been discussed here. Thanks for

all of the knowledge, and keep it coming!

Now, what I'm about to say might come as a suprise to some of you, but here goes.

I have a 1996 Ford

Ranger XLT Supercab, flare side. It has a 4 cyclinder, 2.3L engine, manual transmission, and is slow as hell. I love the truck, it is a great workhorse, gets fairly good mileage, and has done us proud on many occasions, especially for the price we paid.

What I'd like to do is make it a little faster for on road use. It has about 60,000 miles on it, and I plan to use it as a learning/tweaking car, perhaps keeping it for 150k+. I don't know if these have too much potential, but the engine looks as if it would be easy to work on, being a fairly simple 4cyl. I'd like to do some more of the *simple* upgrades, stuff I can do myself and learn on the job.

So, the questions now come out. I appreciate any advice anyone can give. I'm aware that this truck will never turn into a huge HP pumping monster, but I'd like to see if I can't safely increase the HP/low end accelleration by doing some simple, cheaper upgrades.

I'm working on getting a Haynes manual right now from a used bookstore/ebay/library, so I should be able to get vehicle schematics. I don't have a lot of automotive experience, but again, I'm looking to learn.

Automotive mast3rs:

Any suggestions for first things to do? Change plugs, intake, etc? Also, does anyone have any good websites for which I may learn about these items? I have already done google searches on all keywords I can find. Maybe what I'm looking for just doesnt exist... thanks!

12-24-2003, 01:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
rogner Upright	96 Ranger 4-cyl upgrade questions I'm new to this board, but I have already learned a ton from what has been discussed here. Thanks for all of the knowledge, and keep it coming! Now, what I'm about to say might come as a suprise to some of you, but here goes. I have a 1996 Ford Ranger XLT Supercab, flare side. It has a 4 cyclinder, 2.3L engine, manual transmission, and is slow as hell. I love the truck, it is a great workhorse, gets fairly good mileage, and has done us proud on many occasions, especially for the price we paid. What I'd like to do is make it a little faster for on road use. It has about 60,000 miles on it, and I plan to use it as a learning/tweaking car, perhaps keeping it for 150k+. I don't know if these have too much potential, but the engine looks as if it would be easy to work on, being a fairly simple 4cyl. I'd like to do some more of the simple upgrades, stuff I can do myself and learn on the job. So, the questions now come out. I appreciate any advice anyone can give. I'm aware that this truck will never turn into a huge HP pumping monster, but I'd like to see if I can't safely increase the HP/low end accelleration by doing some simple, cheaper upgrades. I'm working on getting a Haynes manual right now from a used bookstore/ebay/library, so I should be able to get vehicle schematics. I don't have a lot of automotive experience, but again, I'm looking to learn. Automotive mast3rs: Any suggestions for first things to do? Change plugs, intake, etc? Also, does anyone have any good websites for which I may learn about these items? I have already done google searches on all keywords I can find. Maybe what I'm looking for just doesnt exist... thanks!