1998 FORD RANGER suspension

Calculating the load your vehicle can carry/tow
1. Use the Safety Compliance Certification Label to find the axle code
number and engine type for your vehicle.
2. Use the appropriate maximum gross combined weight rating (GCWR)
chart to find the maximum GCWR for your type engine and rear axle
ratio.
3. Weigh your vehicle as you customarily operate the vehicle without
cargo. To obtain correct weights, try taking your vehicle to a shipping
company or an inspection station for trucks.
4. Subtract your loaded vehicle weight from the maximum GCWR on the
following charts. This is the maximum trailer weight your vehicle can tow
and must fall below the maximum shown under maximum trailer weight
on the chart.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Do not drive quickly through standing water, especially if the depth is
unknown. Traction or brake capability may be limited and if the ignition
system gets wet, your engine may stall. Water may also enter your
engine's air intake and severely damage your engine.
If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly. Never drive through water that is higher than the bottom of the
hubs (truck)/wheel rims (car).
Once through the water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop
the vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by
moving your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake
pedal.
TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle may tow a class I, II or III trailer provided the maximum
trailer weight is less than or equal to the maximum trailer weight listed
for your engine and rear axle ratio on the following charts.
Your vehicle's load capacity is designated by weight, not by volume, so
you cannot necessarily use all available space when loading a vehicle.
Towing a trailer places an additional load on your vehicle's engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires and suspension. Inspect these
components carefully after any towing operation.
Driving
81

Trailer towing table (4x2 manual transmission)
Engine Rear
axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
trailer
weight-kg (lbs.)
(0-maximum)Maximum frontal
area of trailer-m
2
(ft2)
Regular Cab 4x2
2.5L 3.45 Not recommended for trailer towing
2.5L 3.73 2 177
(4 800)0-717
(0-1 580)Equal to frontal
area of base vehicle
3.0L 3.45 2 267
(5 000)0-789
(0-1 740)Equal to frontal
area of base vehicle
3.0L 3.73 2 721
(6 000)0-1 225
(0-2 700)4.64 (50)
4.0L 3.08 2 267
(5 000)0-753
(0-1 660)Equal to frontal
area of base vehicle
4.0L 3.55 3 175 (7 000) 0-1 651 (0-3 640) 4.64 (50)
Regular Cab 4x2 (Splash or Special Suspension)
2.5L 3.73 2 177
(4 800)0-680
(0-1 500)Equal to frontal
area of base vehicle
3.0L 3.73 2 449
(5 400)0-907
(0-2 000)*Equal to frontal
area of base vehicle
4.0L 3.08 2 267
(5 000)0-717
(0-1 580)Equal to frontal
area of base vehicle
4.0L 3.55 2 495
(5 500)0-907
(0-2 000)*Equal to frontal
area of base vehicle
SuperCab 4x2
2.5L 3.73 2 177
(4 800)0-626
(0-1 380)Equal to frontal
area of base vehicle
3.0L 3.45 2 267
(5 000)0-698
(0-1 540)Equal to frontal
area of base vehicle
3.0L 3.73 2 271 (6 000) 0-1 133 (0-2 500) 4.64 (50)
4.0L 3.08 2 267
(5 000)0-635
(0-1 400)Equal to frontal
area of base vehicle
4.0L 3.55 3 175 (7 000) 0-1 542 (0-3 400) 4.64 (50)
Driving
82

Trailer towing table (4x2 manual transmission)
SuperCab 4x2 (Splash or Special Suspension)
3.0L 3.73 2 540
(5 600)0-907
(0-2 000)*Equal to frontal
area of base vehicle
4.0L 3.08 2 267
(5 000)0-635
(0-1 400)Equal to frontal
area of base vehicle
4.0L 3.55 2 540
(5 600)0-907
(0-2 000)*Equal to frontal
area of base vehicle
*Optional payload is not available on 4x2 Splash or Special Suspension,
therefore maximum trailer weight is 907 kg. (2 000 lbs.).
For high altitude operation, reduce GCW by 2% per 300 meters
(1 000 ft.) elevation.
For definition of terms used in this table seeVehicle Loadingearlier
in this chapter.
To determine maximum trailer weight designed for your particular
vehicle, seeCalculating the loadearlier in this chapter.
Maximum trailer weight is shown. The combined weight of the
completed towing vehicle (including hitch, passengers and cargo) and
the loaded trailer must not exceed the Gross Combined Weight Rating
(GCWR).
Trailer tow table (4x4 manual transmission)
Engine Rear
axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
trailer
weight-kg (lbs.)Maximum
frontal area of
trailer-m
2(ft2)
Regular Cab
3.0L 3.73 2 721 (6 000) 0-1 080 (0-2 380) Equal to frontal
area of base
vehicle.
4.0L 3.27 2 721 (6 000) 0-907 (0-2 000) Equal to frontal
area of base
vehicle.
4.0L 3.73 3 175 (7 000) 0-1 515 (0-3 340) Equal to frontal
area of base
vehicle.
Driving
83

Trailer towing table (4x2 automatic transmission)
Regular Cab 4x2 (Splash or Special Suspension)
2.5L 3.73 2 449 (5 400) 0-907 (0-2 000)* Equal to frontal
area of base vehicle
3.0L 3.73 2 449 (5 400) 0-907 (0-2 000)* Equal to frontal
area of base vehicle
4.0L 3.08 2 495 (5 500) 0-907 (0-2 000)* Equal to frontal
area of base vehicle
4.0L 3.55 2 495 (5 500) 0-907 (0-2 000)* Equal to frontal
area of base vehicle
SuperCab 4x2
3.0L 3.73 3 401 (7 500) 0-1 796 (0-3 960) 4.64 (50)
4.0L 3.08 2 721 (6 000) 0-1 080 (0-2 380) 4.64 (50)
4.0L 3.55 4 309 (9 500) 0-2 676 (0-5 900) 4.64 (50)
SuperCab 4x2 (Splash or Special Suspension)
3.0L 3.73 2 540 (5 600) 0-907 (0-2 000)* Equal to frontal
area of base vehicle
4.0L 3.08 2 586 (5 700) 0-907 (0-2 000)* Equal to frontal
area of base vehicle
4.0L 3.55 2 586 (5 700) 0-907 (0-2 000) Equal to frontal
area of base vehicle
*Optional payload is not available on 4x2 Splash or Special Suspension,
therefore maximum trailer weight is 907 kg. (2 000 lbs.).
For high altitude operation, reduce GCW by 2% per 300 meters
(1 000 ft.) elevation.
For definition of terms used in this table seeVehicle Loadingearlier
in this chapter.
To determine maximum trailer weight designed for your particular
vehicle, seeCalculating the loadearlier in this chapter.
Maximum trailer weight is shown. The combined weight of the
completed towing vehicle (including hitch, passengers and cargo) and
the loaded trailer must not exceed the Gross Combined Weight Rating
(GCWR).
Driving
85

Failure to follow these precautions may adversely affect the
handling of the vehicle and make it easier to lose control and roll
over.
Tires that are larger or smaller than your vehicle's original tires may also
affect the accuracy of your speedometer.
SNOW TIRES AND CHAINS
Driving too fast for conditions creates the possibility of loss of
vehicle control. Driving at very high speeds for extended periods
of time may result in damage to vehicle components.
Snow tires must be the same size and grade as the tires you
currently have on your vehicle.
The tires on your vehicle have all weather treads to provide traction in
rain and snow. However, in some climates, you may need to use snow
tires and chains. If you need to use snow tires and chains, you must
install steel wheels of the same size and specifications as those originally
installed.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and chains:
²Do not use tire chains on aluminum wheels. Chains may chip the
wheels.
²Use only SAE Class S chains.
²Install chains securely, verifying that the chains do not touch any
wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
²Drive cautiously. If you hear the chains rub or bang against your
vehicle, stop and re-tighten the chains. If this does not work, remove
the chains to prevent damage to your vehicle.
²If possible, avoid fully loading your vehicle.
²Remove the tire chains when they are no longer needed. Do not use
tire chains on dry roads.
²The suspension insulation and bumpers will help prevent vehicle
damage. Do not remove these components from your vehicle when
using snow tires and chains.
Maintenance and care
134