This is for those of you guys who dont have a tach, how do you know when to shift when your trying to drive your truck hard? I know I'm not shifting at redline cause i'm scared lol.

Hey, I am in the same boat I have a 2000 with no tach and no shift up light. When driving hard I let it rev up pretty good. I have been driving a standard for a while my last two cars have been a 5 and a 6 speed. The trick with low torque and HP cars it to let them rev pretty good to get some acceleration out of them. I can feel in my feet when it's time to shift, it is hard to explain but you can feel when the engine is starting to rev to high. I hope that helps a little.

When I drove my dad's 87 ranger with no tach, i would usually go by sound and/or speed.

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Sold:2004 XLT 4x2 Ext. Cab. 3.0 Mods: 3" spindle, AAL, shackle, 32x11.5 on 15x8s, billet grille, clear corners, flow 40 dumped, line-x, CB/PA, traction bars, lil sound system, auto up down windows
Sold:2005 XLT 4x4 Ext. Cab. 4.0 Mods: ProComp lights w/ HID swap on tabs, 32x11.5 on 15x8s, CB/PA, black out heads/corners, lil sound system, cranked t-bars, flow 40 dumped, line-x, shell, bed rug, 06+ tails, metal tail gate handle since plastic one shattered, OHC, Mustang Dome.

Yeah I usually go by the feeling in my foot but i dont think i'm getting all the power out of the truck. if anybodies got a tach in a stock 94 ranger and know the speeds you shift at please post.
thanks matt.

i had a 2.3l 5 speed in mine for a while. i had no tach but shifted off feeling and sound. the truck had no power but i could feel the power die off before even red line.

I shift off of feeling most of the time... just when I hear/feel the engine starting to whine out or bog down...

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2008 XLT 4x4 - GRABBER ORANGE - 4.0 V6 - 5 spd
PNW CREW

I've always shifted by feeling, I used to drive a 7.3L diesel and would never look at the tach. I noticed with my Ranger, (My 2nd one), if your just driving casually, don't let the engine rev to high. I normally shift from 1st to 2nd at 15 mph, then to 3rd at 25, and it changes the faster I go. If I ever get on it, I'll let the engine wine pretty good. Keep in mind, all engines have different characteristics, so the speed at which you should shift could be different as well. As long as your engine doesn't bog down or struggle when you shift into a higher gear, your good.

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'00 Ranger 2WD
2.5L Inline 4
31x10.5 Tires
Flowmaster muffler w/ turn down
Airflow module

It's all about feel, like everyone else has mentioned. In my Sonoma, 2.2l five speed, with 3.73 rear end I can do 30 in first gear. That's winding it all the way up. Also I wouldn't worry about putting your truck into redline. 2.3l Fords are tough as hell! Also I believe that engine has a governor, I am not sure, but if it does you'll know it lol.

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97 Ranger - 4.0 V6 auto, 4wd, 31x10.5x15s Wild Country XTX Sport All Terrains, Warn locking hubs, Pioneer deck with iPod attachment, Snugtop Topper, K&N filter, scan gauge II, Hella 500 Lights, More parts coming, waiting for the paycheck to get bigger!

Truck built in loving memory of Norm Howard
Outcast Racing
PNW Crew!!!
Afterhours Clan!!

my 90 doesnt have one, i listin to the engine and also a mechanic told me to shift every 10mph 10 20 30 40, but top speed on my speedometer sais 85.

When shit starts shakin'....Shift!

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'88 STX Super Cab 4x4
2.9 5spd 180,000 miles
Crappy Paint, Worn Parts,
Fix'em as they Break
when Nowhere is Now Here

Just cause your speedometer reads up to 85, doesn't necessarily mean the the truck can go that fast. My old ranger read 120, but could only do 90 with it floored and going with the wind.

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'00 Ranger 2WD
2.5L Inline 4
31x10.5 Tires
Flowmaster muffler w/ turn down
Airflow module