Hello, my name is Erik and i recently bought a 1986 ranger 2wd 5 speed. I absolutely love the truck, it has a 2.9l v6 with only 101,000 miles! i have been having a problem lately that i cannot seem to shake.

At higher rpm's, ESPECIALLY on the highway, it starts to stumble and skip in a way, and has a loss of power. It is so slow i can barely go 60 mph.

Some things that i have already done include a new TPS, i cleaned the IAC valve, new timing chain cover gasket, new water pump, and a new fuel filter. The fuel pump sounds ok, so i did not replace it.

i have been thinking that it may be the ecm, and some people have told me that it could be a clogged catalytic converter. Also, for the record, the engine has the signature 2.9 liter tick, but it did that when i bought it, which was also when it was pretty quick.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. THANKS!

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1986 Ford Ranger STX 2WD 5 speed
2000 XJ Cherokee 5.5'' lift on 33'' BFG's
1964 Pontiac GTO convertible, 4 speed
1999 Ford F-150 4x4 Bone Stock

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Erik, welcome to FRF. Have you checked the spark plugs, it sounds to me like you have a bad plug.

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2000 Ranger Extd Cab XLT, 4X4 Off Road, 4.0L, Auto, 8.8 - 4.10's, 01 grille & lights swap.
69 Mustang, modified 5.0, & 5spd.(project)
99 Explorer Sport, 4.0 SOHC, Auto, 8.8 - 4.10's, PW, PL, PM, Cruise, Tilt. (Wife's DD)
05 F-150 2WD Regular Cab. ( My DD)

Welcome to FRF! Sounds like an ignition problem to me. Definitely check the spark plugs^^. Also the spark plug wires and coil pack could be a culprit.

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1997 Ranger XLT Single Cab 3.0L 2WD
-Straight Pipe Cat Back, Future 302 or 4bt swap, 2006 Mirrors, 1992 Wheels, 6000K HIDs, Color Match Toolbox-

Thank you guys for your help. I did new spark plugs, gapped them correctly, and new plug wires and nothing has changed. Next I will try the coil pack. How about the sensors? would those cause issues?

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1986 Ford Ranger STX 2WD 5 speed
2000 XJ Cherokee 5.5'' lift on 33'' BFG's
1964 Pontiac GTO convertible, 4 speed
1999 Ford F-150 4x4 Bone Stock

Check wires too. Those are easily a suspect for misfire. I can't think of any of the sensors would cause a misfire like that. It could be a leak in the vacuum lines or emission system. Try doing a smoke test on your vacuum lines. I think that engine has the old school vacuum system so look it up on YouTube and it will explain it pretty well. If all else fails, take the cat off, take a screwdriver to its innards and slap her back on. Hopefully you don't live in an emissions testing area.

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1997 Ranger XLT Single Cab 3.0L 2WD
-Straight Pipe Cat Back, Future 302 or 4bt swap, 2006 Mirrors, 1992 Wheels, 6000K HIDs, Color Match Toolbox-

Welcome to frf.

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1988 4 cyl 5 speed