I have a 2002 XL 2.3 2wd. Should I make my Ranger a mean, fast, street truck ; or a lifted 4x4 lookin offroad truck? The offroad will cost me more money, and have a loss of power and MPG! And it's a bit pointless since I'm only a 2x4 but it looks cool! The street look won't cost much, and it will be fast and get good MPG, with good looks also! Lmao

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Current- 1997 4.0 4x4, 33x12.5 BFG TAKOs, 15x8 eagle alloys, 4in RC susp lift, 3in BL (to be installed), 5k hids, clear head and corner lights, cherrybomb extreme, sound system.
SOLD-1999 Ranger Extcab stepside, 3.0 auto, sound system, small lift.
SOLD-2002 Ranger 2.3l auto, 17in cobra wheels.

why the loss of power? high mileage? it should still get good MPG's?

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MY BUILD THREAD
1999 MAZDA 2500SE, 2.5L 4-clanger, 5 speed, Green n slow. Rangers as daily drivers since 1988.
ASE Certified Mechanic, Builder of Show Destroying Protouring and Classic cars..

because its only a 2.3 and it only has 102k miles, if i made it offroad i would get a few size bigger tires, a lift, with new rims, offroad lights...etc...

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Current- 1997 4.0 4x4, 33x12.5 BFG TAKOs, 15x8 eagle alloys, 4in RC susp lift, 3in BL (to be installed), 5k hids, clear head and corner lights, cherrybomb extreme, sound system.
SOLD-1999 Ranger Extcab stepside, 3.0 auto, sound system, small lift.
SOLD-2002 Ranger 2.3l auto, 17in cobra wheels.

all up to you...i knew someone with the 2.3 with 33s on it. sure mpgs will drop some.

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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.

sorry I miss read, gotcha, yeah larger tire size wld def' kill all that.. unless u had different gear ratio.. if it was me, (what I'm doing to mine) is setting up for street, and looking for a 4wd to purchase..

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MY BUILD THREAD
1999 MAZDA 2500SE, 2.5L 4-clanger, 5 speed, Green n slow. Rangers as daily drivers since 1988.
ASE Certified Mechanic, Builder of Show Destroying Protouring and Classic cars..

im kinda thinkin put some black & chrome 15s on it, with 245 or 255 all terrain tires, with a small push bar on front with KC lights, then later on maybe a roll bar with KC lights too! i found some black and chrome offroad 15s on summitracing.com for like $88 a piece!

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Sorry correction...... jegs.com not summit

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Current- 1997 4.0 4x4, 33x12.5 BFG TAKOs, 15x8 eagle alloys, 4in RC susp lift, 3in BL (to be installed), 5k hids, clear head and corner lights, cherrybomb extreme, sound system.
SOLD-1999 Ranger Extcab stepside, 3.0 auto, sound system, small lift.
SOLD-2002 Ranger 2.3l auto, 17in cobra wheels.

if its 2wd I would go street. unless you put a 4x4 drive train on it. don't make it something its not.

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Lead, Follow or get out of my way!
2010 XLT 4x2 4 dr Super Cab
4.0L SOHC, 5 speed auto, Auto dim mirror w/ home link/remote start,
Chorme Bug gard, Ultragauge, window vents
Next - Bed liner
Suprise, Az - Retired but working
Canon 7D
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brianandlea/

Slam it Dammit!

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98 Ranger some stuff done

PNW Crew

here are my ideas, 32s with 15in dick cepek wheels or 2/3 drop with 17in mustang wheels

32s and 15in DCs.JPG

dropped with 17s.JPG

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Current- 1997 4.0 4x4, 33x12.5 BFG TAKOs, 15x8 eagle alloys, 4in RC susp lift, 3in BL (to be installed), 5k hids, clear head and corner lights, cherrybomb extreme, sound system.
SOLD-1999 Ranger Extcab stepside, 3.0 auto, sound system, small lift.
SOLD-2002 Ranger 2.3l auto, 17in cobra wheels.

It's not completely pointless to lift a 2wd I've seen lifted peglegs put 4wds to shame going up hill and I've done it in my old f150 beater against a 4runner enough momentum youwill make it (4runner rolled back what a puss) But with that engine I think u will have more fun if u drop it down with a goood street suspension and tear up that bs asphalt sideways. Just don't let the cops take it and make u pay bs fees to get back (with fuckin dents from inpound lot)

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2001 2wd Ford Ranger XLT 4.0 SOHC, Fabteck 3 1/2 spindle lift front 2 in blocks rear.

You are asking should you buy an apple or an orange? Mods can lead towards never ending cost..fine for many. If you can afford it get another Ranger..a 4X4 for off-road..the 4X2 for road racing. Do them both to the max. Sounds like you probably should just go for 17X8 rims and street tires for the summer. As you can afford it gas shocks, sway bars,etc. Take care of that 4 cylinder maintenance wise...well the whole truck.

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JBA s.s. headers&exhaust, K&N cold air intake, Bosch Iridium Plus 4 plugs, Royal Purple in motor, 5spd & diff.,Superchips programmer, axle girdle. Also have but yet to install KYB Gas-A-Just shocks and Belltech sway bars.

How would lifting it make it something its not? It would still be a truck...

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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.

lifting a 2wd is ok. it's the Idiots who "slam" a 4x4 that make me laugh.

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2001 Ranger Edge 4x4 (sold)
2006 F150 Lariat 4x4 (sold)
2007 Explorer XLT (Destroyed by Deer on highway)
2014 Explorer XLT (inherited from parents)

Make it a 4x4, I'd like to see that since the last 4-cyl 4x4 was in 1997

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1987 2.3/TK5, 125K.

I completely agree!