My Mild-Mannered Ranger 4.0

[Ken Cooke]

The signature shows many of the modifications I have made to this Ranger. I purchased it in Lansing, Michigan for $10,500.00 with 50,000 miles on the odometer. The Ranger came with a tow package, and it was totally clean inside and out.

I completely fell in love with this pickup when it was pointed out on the dealers lot to me after I saw how much the '94 Explorer cost (a whopping $13,500). My '94 Ranger was purchased in September '96, so a 4x4 pickup with little surface rust, a 4.0 liter, fully manual tranny, A/C, alloys, and XLT package for $10,000 was really a great deal.

I know if I were to purchase a Toyota, I would not have the sturdy TTB suspension, nor would I have the torqey 4.0 liter engine either. The Chevy was definitely no match for the Ranger. Even the ZR2 - which I intended to purchase after seeing one up close, looked awesome, but the price was over twice what I paid for my Ranger, and my suspension works a whole lot better too!

Well, here's a few pictures of my pride and joy!

 

[Jason_25]

Looks really stout Ken! Keep up the good work.

 

[Ken Cooke]

Stout indeed!

This truck does the job quite well on the trail. I am very satisfied with it's performance on the street as well. What makes me happy is how it turns heads daily while I drive to and from work...

 

[jimbo74]

looks good ken!....when are you going to toss 35s on it? j/k well.....

 

[Ken Cooke]

Power vs. Weight

Because I like to travel out of the back of this truck with my wife, I need as much of the available power and torque this engine can give me. I'm afraid that if I switched to a 35" tire, the law of diminishing returns would not be in my favor. Things might break like steering U Joints, drivetrain parts, etc. Sure, I would crawl the rough stuff much more easily, but I believe I can still have a good time with the 33's bolted on...

As you see below, I'm still able to send up rooster tails and act crazy in public, but without as much fear of breaking things...Oh, and did I mention stopping my Ranger with those rusted, old drum brakes???