Improving my Ranger's Longevity?

[tygr2007]

Truck looks awesome btw. A bit unrelated to your post, but the BDS lift you have is the 6" one, right? Was 8" a typo? How do you like the ride? To fit the 35s after that lift did the crash bars still need to be removed / honeycomb stuff behind liner need to come out?

I've heard catch cans are good for engine longevity btw, to add maybe one nugget of info to your original question. Though, not sure what others think about them.

Thanks.

The lift is advertised as 6” from BDS, yeah. However I put on a 2” spacer on top so I total a 8 inch lift in the front and 6 in the rear. It removes the rake and gives it a baby lean so the front is about an inch higher than the rear. It’s not noticeable and the body lines of the truck look nice with the front up a bit. In NO way a squat.

Only crash bars were removed, nothing else. I have a -12 offset and it clears with room to spare. As for the ride, it rides like a real truck. Comparable to a FX4 suspension.

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[tygr2007]

Not all of us have get out of jail free cards ;-)

speaking of getting those MPG's up, wonder what MPG's the OP is getting . . . (gotta stay on topic)

18 avg

 

[LawnMM]

Mine will go into 10th between 48 and 49 mph on the flat stretches here.

Sounds about right ?

18 avg

Maybe downhill with a tail wind ?
That's sorta confirming what I'm suggesting about your gearing though. You're not getting into 10th because of the tire size and RPM range with the gearing you have.

Did you reprogram the new size into the truck after switching? If so and you plan to keep those tires might be worth looking into regearing the rear diff.

You're talking about longevity. Well, the truck wasn't really spec'd with 35's in mind and an 8" lift in mind. You're putting strain on a lot of components whether you want to admit it or not.

 

[LawnMM]

 

[Msfitoy]

85,669 miles. Been tuned by Unleashed since about 5,000 miles (Torquerules no skip shift tune). Oil changes every 7500, trans fluid, rear, front and transfer case fluids done at 35k and 85k, 1" wheel spacers since about 20k and pretty much zero mechanical issues. Brakes and rotors replaced. Had the hvac vent door issue and mice issues but otherwise it's been a great truck! Consistantly get 22-23mpg.

 

[tygr2007]

Sounds about right ?

Maybe downhill with a tail wind ?
That's sorta confirming what I'm suggesting about your gearing though. You're not getting into 10th because of the tire size and RPM range with the gearing you have.

Did you reprogram the new size into the truck after switching? If so and you plan to keep those tires might be worth looking into regearing the rear diff.

You're talking about longevity. Well, the truck wasn't really spec'd with 35's in mind and an 8" lift in mind. You're putting strain on a lot of components whether you want to admit it or not.

Nah, highway driving mostly. 75-80 mph.

Honestly the 35’s are still to small, I think i’ll put 40’s on next. Ooh, hopefully I don’t break something!

All jokes aside, I don’t think it’s putting that much stress on the truck. All the geometry is fixed and the only thing maybe stressing is the transmission and diffs when i’ve got a heavy foot.

 

[JohnnyO]

Basically just change all the fluids at half the recommended intervals.
I’ve done the axles and t-case already and will do the coolant soon.
Exception being the transmission. In my experience Ford automatics are on borrowed time after 100k no matter what you do. Mine has 74k on it and the tranny runs and shifts fine. I ain’t gonna mess with it.

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