Improving my Ranger's Longevity?

[tygr2007]

I am looking for recommendations on performance modifications for the long run. I know that the 10R80 is a transmission that has a lot of problems. I know multiple people who have already had their transmission replaced at the 120-150k mile mark. I have ~12,000 miles on my 23' Ranger and want to make this vehicle last. I've done a lot of 'look at me' upgrades and I think now it's time to calm down on that.

I recently installed a BDS 8" lift and 35's on the truck, and am not sure if this is going to put any added stress on the transmission or any other drive components. --- Going down the highway at 75 it does not like to shift into 10th gear. Any ideas with this?

I've already gone through trouble with rough shifting, transmission fluid overflowing, and more. However, some of that has been self induced from my driving style of being 17. The first year of owning the truck I was pretty rough on it, but now I believe i've matured enough and want to focus on the longevity of my vehicle; while still focusing on performance enhancements.

I've considered getting the ford performance tune package to optimize the shifting patterns and hopefully reduce the stress on the transmission. I would also like to install a transmission temperature gauge, as I do a lot of highway towing a large trailer for work. I don't want to push the truck to its limits, but I want some ideas that will make it both still fun to drive and and

Things like a cold air intake I have considered aswell, and I want to get some opinions on how this improves efficience and power on the rangers. Is it worth it, are the effects really noticeable? Roush, K&N, what are your thoughts?

Side Note:
I am not sure if anyone reading this would remember, but I previously posted about me hitting a rock and smashing my transmission pan and me crying; being a little bitch about it. I got that handled... no more worries. I got it fixed after ford denied my warranty, for rightful reasons... lol. Heres the link to that forum post.

Comparison of when I first bought the truck and now.

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[ashank11]

I have the same worry, I'll have to buy that same kit for my '23 tremor.

I talked to a Ford Engineer in Singapore and was told that the higher we lift it, the more we allow our transmission to breathe from the increased airflow to the underbody of the truck. Look into a higher lift, such as stacking another 6inch spacer, or getting bigger tires.

The ranchhand grill guard can also increase longevity allowing you to bulldoze traffic. This helps the 10R80 not have to make unnecessary shifts to stop for Priuses and stock rangers in front of you at a stoplight.

 

[VoodooRanger]

If you want to make it last, just keep up with the maintenance. I run a motorcraft oil filter/Pennzoil Platinum 5w30 and change the oil around 5k-6k miles. I replaced the transmission filter with the PPE deep pan. Is there a need for the deep pan versus the standard pan? Couldn’t tell you. Benefit of having the drain plug is being able to replace the fluid more often without dropping the entire pan. Which you’ll have to do anyways if you plan on changing the filter anyways.

 

[Doc]

I am looking for recommendations on performance modifications for the long run. I know that the 10R80 is a transmission that has a lot of problems. I know multiple people who have already had their transmission replaced at the 120-150k mile mark. I have ~12,000 miles on my 23' Ranger and want to make this vehicle last. I've done a lot of 'look at me' upgrades and I think now it's time to calm down on that.

I recently installed a BDS 8" lift and 35's on the truck, and am not sure if this is going to put any added stress on the transmission or any other drive components. --- Going down the highway at 75 it does not like to shift into 10th gear. Any ideas with this?

I've already gone through trouble with rough shifting, transmission fluid overflowing, and more. However, some of that has been self induced from my driving style of being 17. The first year of owning the truck I was pretty rough on it, but now I believe i've matured enough and want to focus on the longevity of my vehicle; while still focusing on performance enhancements.

I've considered getting the ford performance tune package to optimize the shifting patterns and hopefully reduce the stress on the transmission. I would also like to install a transmission temperature gauge, as I do a lot of highway towing a large trailer for work. I don't want to push the truck to its limits, but I want some ideas that will make it both still fun to drive and and

Things like a cold air intake I have considered aswell, and I want to get some opinions on how this improves efficience and power on the rangers. Is it worth it, are the effects really noticeable? Roush, K&N, what are your thoughts?

Side Note:
I am not sure if anyone reading this would remember, but I previously posted about me hitting a rock and smashing my transmission pan and me crying; being a little bitch about it. I got that handled... no more worries. I got it fixed after ford denied my warranty, for rightful reasons... lol. Heres the link to that forum post.

Comparison of when I first bought the truck and now.

Nice !

 

[RedDakooter05]

Modding and longevity typically don't go together.

Bigger tires add stress to driveline and brakes
Cold air intake may or may not add any power but will certainly allow debris into the engine.


Ect..

 

[landiscarrier]

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.

 

[MountainGoat]

Modding and longevity typically don't go together.

Bigger tires add stress to driveline and brakes
Cold air intake may or may not add any power but will certainly allow debris into the engine.


Ect..

The higher the lift the more longevity you have, because it's further away from the ground. Plus the debris won't get in then. I'd recommend lifting another 6" to be sure though. Then the cold air intake will be like a snorkel.

 

[Grandaccess]

If you want to make it last, just keep up with the maintenance. I run a motorcraft oil filter/Pennzoil Platinum 5w30 and change the oil around 5k-6k miles. I replaced the transmission filter with the PPE deep pan. Is there a need for the deep pan versus the standard pan? Couldn’t tell you. Benefit of having the drain plug is being able to replace the fluid more often without dropping the entire pan. Which you’ll have to do anyways if you plan on changing the filter anyways.

and if he lifts it high enough people will be able to see that new spiffy deep pan LOL

 

[tygr2007]

I didn’t really make a post to get joked about. I was trying to ask actual questions. ??

 

[got3fords]

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.

What is year is your Ranger? I find it really helpful when a forum member's vehicle year shows in their profile info. When someone is discussing their vehicle I just look over and see what year they are talking about.

 

[Cabose-1]

Leave your truck stock. Do regular maintenance, repair things when needed and correctly. That will make any car last for years to come. Sometimes alternators ,ACs, and nowadays transmissions just blow up. Luck of the draw Sometimes

But leave it alone, stock and regular maintenance is the best thing for any car.

 

[RedDakooter05]

I didn’t really make a post to get joked about. I was trying to ask actual questions. ??

I was giving a real answer. Mods like an exhaust won't harm the trucks durability while providing some increase in performance (and sound like a ricer). That's about it I'm afraid.

You could do earlier oil changes using spec appropriate fluids and filters, since I disagree with 10k oil change intervals.

 

[Chris M]

I didn’t really make a post to get joked about. I was trying to ask actual questions. ??

To be fair, you went from a title referencing Ranger Longevity to a narrative of performance mods for the long term. I think many of us, myself included, may not think those two things go together.

I hope you're not finding us to be mean-spirited, though. That's surely not our intention.

 

[Cabose-1]

This is what happens when you modify a truck. Big tires you make the truck work harder than what it was designed for. Science, it was geared for certain round parts being certain sizes now you change that formula. Lifts put strain on more extreme angles than what was intended, goes for driveshafys too. Spacers? Now you are changing center of gravity points for bearings seals and so on. Thats why your truck does not like 10th gear, you changed the formula. So you will forever be chasing worn out parts, off road vehicles are heavily modded to where they resemble nothing but a shell of what the vehicle once was. Same goes for sports cars. More power, carbon fiber parts, lighter stronger materials, beefier suspension, different tyres, brakes, hoses for brakes calipers, coolers, steering list goes on and on. Ever see a nascar? Some have ford emblems.
So you changed tune, tyres, all of that stuff, and unless you go down the rabbit hole and change everything to accommodate the changes, either way you spend money on maintenance, or new suspension and prigramming for gears, driveline and all of the other cool stuff.
Like an old 351. Vant just throw a 4 barrel on and get more power. Mechanical pump needs modification and sometimes bigger fuel lines needed to be added, headers? Bigger radiator and bigger atf cooler. So.......long story short. Just do maintenance when needed.
You asked what for most of us is an obvious question. But when i was 18. I am officially old now, i learned from my failures, no internet in thise days. So experience has taught me a lot.
Hope this was helpful in some way. And nowadays we have
The University of Youtube. Good luck dude

 

[SFB]

To be fair, you went from a title referencing Ranger Longevity to a narrative of performance mods for the long term. I think many of us, myself included, may not think those two things go together.

I hope you're not finding us to be mean-spirited, though. That's surely not our intention.

Only thing I’ve done with mine is a K&N filter. I change oil at 5 to 6K miles rotate my tires then too. Have had my tranny flushed per Ford dealership. I usually don’t like flushing a tranny as it can cause issues, but I was under the drive train warranty, so it’s on them. However that did straighten out crappy shifting issues! Most other shifting issues I’ve had are software related. Shift like crap, then on a restart it’s better. I use Mobile 1 oil since new.
A question I have is doesn’t lifting a truck strain the drive train? You are changing the geometry! I’m no expert there, so an I don’t know question

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