The "what do you hate about your Ranger today" thread

[Speedfreak]

Originally Posted by GLH

Will they fit a 2WD Edge ?

If your talking the factory LV II Bilsteins, yes, I ran them on my 03 Edge.

Originally Posted by 02RangerFX4

I highly doubt they are.. The OEM shocks that come on the Level II are Bilstein B6-HD's. They're like 75$ a shock. I just replaced the Bilstein's that came with the truck about two years ago with B6-HD's and they were literally exactly the same, I just ordered the ones with the rubber boot instead of plastic, which is what came stock.

My ass. $75 new in 2003 maybe.

Originally Posted by Areyouforcereal?

Are you 100% positive they are the same? Do you have any evidence to back these claims up? I'm not saying you're wrong, I just want to know what information you are basing the claims from. Just because they are both blue and yellow and fit the mount locations, does not mean they are the same internally.

Honestly I don't think the average driver could feel the difference. I know I sure can't. I've just all ways heard that they were specially valved for the rangers. It'd be cool if someone could cut them up and compare the internal design with a standard off the shelf billstein.

I can tell you hands down they are different. I bought LV II Bilstiens for my 03 Edge and when they gave out replaced them with the 4600 series. I could definitely tell the difference in ride performance. I was going to buy them again as replacements but the Ford Parts told me there was no guarantee they would be Bilstiens but the replacement would be to spec.

[02RangerFX4]

Originally Posted by irishranger

I got my bilsteins from 4wheelparts.com and they look like the bigger shock you posted.

I was using that picture as an example.

[02RangerFX4]

Originally Posted by Speedfreak

If your talking the factory LV II Bilsteins, yes, I ran them on my 03 Edge. My ass. $75 new in 2003 maybe. I can tell you hands down they are different. I bought LV II Bilstiens for my 03 Edge and when they gave out replaced them with the 4600 series. I could definitely tell the difference in ride performance. I was going to buy them again as replacements but the Ford Parts told me there was no guarantee they would be Bilstiens but the replacement would be to spec.

My bad, looks like you can get them for $63 now.

[Coybus]

You have to replace the whole thermostat housing and not just the thermostat.





2003 2.3L Ford Ranger

[GSF1200S]

Originally Posted by Coybus

You have to replace the whole thermostat housing and not just the thermostat.





2003 2.3L Ford Ranger

And in your case as in my case, the thermostat is electrically operated and so costs you 100+ dollars to replace. You can use the cheaper (and better) 2004+ style thermostat, but you have to put a resistor between the wires that go to the current thermostat- leaving it disconnected will throw a CEL and most emissions places wont pass it.

Actually, ill add something in this thread- I hate my Rangers cooling system. The entire bastard. The plastic tanked radiator, the plastic degas bottle that cracks, the plastic heater control valve, the water pump that slides into (and seizes into) the block, the plastic electrically operated thermostat, and the plastic tee molded as part of a hose that goes under the exhaust manifold and around the backside of the engine.

[Tyler46]

At least those items are cheap stupid easy to replace.

[GSF1200S]

Originally Posted by Tyler46

At least those items are cheap stupid easy to replace.

For the most part yeah. The water pump can be a pain though mine was pretty easy. That coolant hose is a bastard...

Still I mean, it sucks they used so much plastic. Aside from the pump and thermostat, everything in the cooling system should last at least 200k. It is all pretty cheap as you say..

[Neurotic Apron]

I hate that my engine essentially has to be replaced on a 2009 (: Joy!
Although I am putting a Cummins in there if I am actually going to replace this thing. I want it to last.

And yes I do know the huge pain in the butt this will be to replace it but I have the time (mostly), experience, money, and patience to make this thing work.

[Logan03CO]

Originally Posted by Neurotic Apron

I am putting a Cummins in there if I am actually going to replace this thing. I want it to last.

And yes I do know the huge pain in the butt this will be to replace it but I have the time (mostly), experience, money, and patience to make this thing work.

Make sure to start a build thread once you dive into the project!!

[irishranger]

I hate the rear drums.

[Mike69]

Originally Posted by irishranger

I hate the rear drums.

X2

[LilRanger93]

Originally Posted by irishranger

I hate the rear drums.

x3.

[Bootstrap]

Originally Posted by LilRanger93

x3.

X4. Mine were rusty which turned the brake job into a swear fest.

What I dislike about my ranger is the gearing. Its a gutless pig on the highway with 31" tires. I always turn off the overdrive unless I plan on going over 55 mph otherwise it just has zero balls.

the 31" BFG A/T's are a necessity as this is my hunting rig and it sees a lot of offroad during hunting season. Most of the time you see more mud than paint.

[NewShockerGuy]

Originally Posted by Bootstrap

X4. Mine were rusty which turned the brake job into a swear fest.

What I dislike about my ranger is the gearing. Its a gutless pig on the highway with 31" tires. I always turn off the overdrive unless I plan on going over 55 mph otherwise it just has zero balls.

the 31" BFG A/T's are a necessity as this is my hunting rig and it sees a lot of offroad during hunting season. Most of the time you see more mud than paint.

Isn't that bad for the engine? I've turned it off a couple times but never for riding on the high way.

-Nigel

[Hewitt25]

I hate that my truck is so damn low to the ground.