Hi, I'm looking to get a ranger this summer with the 4.0 SOHC engine for use as a daily driver and some light off-roading/mudding/snow-travel.
I have an 06 Impala RN, and I've put a CAI filter where the stock filter was, and I've got a less restrictive muffler on the thing, and I get a few MPG better both City/HWY.
I would make a custom CAI setup with the $30 filter that AutoZone has, and I understand that it needs a housing to prevent it from eating hot air.
I am assuming that the ranger would get the same MPG benefit? As it stands stock, the V6 4.0 makes less power than my 3.5 V6 and gets worse MPG, and the Ranger weights about 500lb less, so I feel like there's some efficiency gains to be had and I really don't want to get the i4 just for the mileage.
I don't particularly care for tuning of any sort, just let the stock computer figure things out. I don't have a lead foot or anything either.

Lastly, what are your thoughts on the 5spd automatic vs the 5spd manual? I am not very good at driving manual, but purchasing a vehicle this old with an automatic seems kinda.. risky.. vs a manual.

 

Could likely do as well for cheap, removing restrictor from the lower AirFilter housing.
Then replacing stock AirFilter FordMotorCraft# fa1658 \ 2i280High,
with another having deeper pleets, like a Wix# wa6734 \ 2i441High.

 

I have yet to see a single dyno video online that shows a CAI outperforms (especially for the cost of a CARB approved unit) a simple air box mod, as Dillard000 mentioned. I used a K&N drop-in filter in the stock box after I removed the snorkel. I did put some mesh over the hole to keep the mice out.

Hopefully you can find a rig with extensive service records. As always, the secret to anything lasting a long time is having constant, clean fluids and filters. I was fortunate enough to get mine from my father in law who was psychotic about fluid changes. I have a 2001 and the 5R55E trans shifts and pulls well and my timing chains are silent. I owe this to good servicing and the fact I got it from an 84 year old.

You mentioned you're not into tuners but for under 350.00 delivered, the Predator 2 was the most bang for the buck regarding performance that I've ever purchased. It takes far less foot to get the vehicle rolling. These aren't rocket ships, as you say your Impala is quicker. My wife's 3.6 V6 Challenger slaughters my Ranger.....but there's also 14 years of technology separating them, so it's to be expected.

 

2LZ: Did your K&N and snorkel mod yield any appreciable gain?

jman116: You're comparing a dated, heavy, torquey truck engine to snappy car engines. Perhaps a tuned 4 can deliver what you want.

 

All I can speak from is in my particular case. My truck sat in my father in law's pasture for two years, under a cover with a solar charger on it, once he had to stop driving. So far, everything I've done to pull it out of mothballs has helped incrementally, including the air box mod. I felt it made it a little more responsive and of course, you do get a little of the intake noise when you're on it. I did find the air box snorkel surprisingly restrictive.

Regarding the "cold air" part some are concerned about, the new opening still points directly at the back of the headlight like the snorkel. It's not as though the intake location has been moved or changed to point at the engine. That said, I'm still thinking of taking some plastic and making an air horn of sorts to bring the intake closer to the original location.