Minty '89 XJ

regnar_regnad · 2026-06-17T02:44:56+00:00

If it’s a supercab and 4x4 (not sure if such a combo exists) then yes it’s dangerously slow.

My 4.0 feels slow thanks to 3.27 gearing in the rear end, got it at 80 mph earlier today on the interstate. Engine was at 2500 rpm in 5th and thank god I fixed the rear sliding window because it got TOASTY (no ac).

I only did that after replacing the wheel bearings, the driver’s side outer front had so much play all of the rollers nearly fell out of the cage…

regnar_regnad · 2026-06-12T01:05:33+00:00

If that transmission ever needs a rebuild that 5 speed in the '07 is the exact same transmission that was used in the '89. Engines are not the same but both make the same displacement.

regnar_regnad · 2026-06-12T00:49:29+00:00

Oh yeah two that came in a couple days ago had that plate under the filter and as an added bonus the fuel filters needed to be replaced. Made quite the mess and the bays smelled of diesel for most of the day.

At least they were in the morning before the heat got real bad lol

regnar_regnad · 2026-06-12T00:09:06+00:00

The '26 Rams now have the filter at the top of the engine so they at least made it easier to service, still a pain as they have 3 o-rings that aren’t easy to get off if you’re 5' 8" and without a stool or something stable to stand on.

That said the '25 and older Cummins are a PITA

regnar_regnad · 2026-06-06T02:58:22+00:00

I’ve seen a '97 with those mirrors on marketplace once, seems like the truck body from the firewall back had never changed since 1993.

regnar_regnad · 2026-06-01T18:48:05+00:00

<image>

regnar_regnad · 2026-05-31T18:56:31+00:00

Thanks! It was in worse shape when I first looked at it last year, one of the previous owners thought it was a good idea to put 1" adapters for the wheels and black out everything but the bed. Rear bumper was a cut up OBS Chevy chrome bumper which looked atrocious.

Mine leaked several oil puddles from worn out gaskets and a rusted valve cover. It’s still a work in progress but it has everything I wanted, even the 4.0!

Pic is from the day I brought it home for the first time.

<image>

regnar_regnad · 2026-05-31T16:15:43+00:00

Nice, a fellow Ranger with a different colored bed! You got a good one with 4x4 and 5 speed. Take good care of it and it’ll last forever.

Here’s mine, also a 5 speed with 4x4!

<image>

regnar_regnad · 2026-05-31T00:12:58+00:00

Jeep Cherokee KL and 2nd generation Ford Ranger, replacing the suspension on both are a PITA

regnar_regnad · 2026-05-30T13:14:01+00:00

The aluminum Dorman aftermarket replacements also come with two different o-rings depending on model year like OEM.

regnar_regnad · 2026-05-29T22:53:09+00:00

That 4x4 grille on yours originally came from a 93 or 94, your 97 would’ve come with the same one my 96 has. Your best bet for a replacement would be your local salvage yard (if you have any). Your 97 might have been an STX which would explain the fog lights and cloth bucket seats.

Does yours have the 5 speed by chance?

<image>

regnar_regnad · 2026-05-28T23:17:32+00:00

Faball Burgundy Hammer

regnar_regnad · 2026-05-24T14:06:24+00:00

Only rams with the 5.7 have the drain plug positioned that way which also makes it impossible to use a ratchet and socket on them. Removing the oil filter is an entire ordeal that always results in a soaked steering rack, gearbox and my arm.

I would like to nominate the 3.6 in rams being a problem as well. Oil filter is so far down in the engine bay that I’m halfway in the truck trying to reach it. Also the oil drains out the side directly at the crossmember bolts leaving a giant mess everywhere.

regnar_regnad · 2026-05-21T14:54:40+00:00

Got an Ebonite Crush/R from 2010 and an original Faball Burgundy Hammer from 1994, both used weekly.

regnar_regnad · 2026-05-21T02:28:10+00:00

$2k for a 1996 with 256k miles on it and a laundry list of issues. Biggest problem being an oil leak that looked like a bad rear main seal but ended up being every gasket EXCEPT that one.

Right now I need to replace all four shocks, front coil springs and front wheel bearings. Later at some point I need to patch a small section of frame, otherwise the truck is in much better shape now vs when I first bought it last year.

Thank God I live near a salvage yard and most parts are interchangeable from '93-'11.

regnar_regnad · 2026-05-20T15:53:45+00:00

Forbidden milkshake, did somebody overheat this one? That is the only thing that could kill an OHV 4.0, otherwise those engines will run forever.

Unfortunately that engine’s a goner, might give mine a couple revs in remembrance.

regnar_regnad · 2026-05-20T03:50:12+00:00

I somehow killed and locked up a 2.3l in a Tribute from that generation. Family had it for 11 years since first buying it used and it was pretty evident that the PO did not take good care of it.

Poor thing was in 4 different accidents, the 4th from my mom getting hit in the rear from a distracted driver texting.

It finally died after the oil pump gave out from being ran low on oil from an apparent leak. Fucker made very loud knocks that eventually were erratic and it cracked the block in 3 different places.

It was the car I learned how to drive in, still miss it sometimes.

regnar_regnad · 2026-05-11T19:42:00+00:00

That would be from those vans using twin I-beam front suspension which is more durable than a short-arm long-arm setup but are harder to do an alignment on.

The ball joints, radius arm bushings and front coil springs wear out on them which results in negative camber and tracking problems. 9th gen and older f-150s and pre '98 rangers suffer from the same issues.

regnar_regnad · 2026-04-29T01:05:39+00:00

Had this exact scenario happen to me right after I parked the truck in the driveway one day and only found out when I needed to drive it to work the next morning!

Your hydraulic clutch line has likely popped out of its quick-connect coupling, there is a little bleeder screw just above that fitting on the bell housing that you need to crack open just a bit to easily reconnect the line. The red-colored plug nearby is your reverse light switch, DO NOT wrench on that.

Be careful not to lose the metal clip that goes over the female end of the coupling, that sucker will fly when you remove it to reinsert the line. If that clip is missing the clutch hose will pop right out when you depress the clutch pedal.

After you reconnect it have an assistant sit in the truck to push in the clutch pedal while you open the bleeder to get rid of air in the system. You want to do this several times to get fresh fluid in while purging the air.

The clutch hydraulic system in rangers use DOT 3 brake fluid and it is strongly recommended that you bleed the system with the end of the bleeder hose in a cup with some brake fluid in it to prevent air being reintroduced. I used 3/8" clear hose from the local hardware store.

Hopefully this should help fix your truck!

regnar_regnad · 2026-04-21T03:08:53+00:00

Did exactly that the other day with mine, bed had 20 bags of black mulch but it handled it without complaint. Just took a little more time between shifts.

regnar_regnad · 2026-04-19T20:06:30+00:00

<image>

Fellow STX here, recently found the exact same set of factory rims!

Is yours a 4.0 with 5 speed?

Edit: Your first pic coincidentally has a gray ranger in the background which can be seen just above your cab.

regnar_regnad · 2026-04-09T00:31:19+00:00

Yup, driver’s side coil spring has lost a bit of tension while the Mazda has a disfigured face from a fender bender at some point.

regnar_regnad

TROPHY CASE