Hello fellas,

It's now Sept. 1. I registered the Ranger 4 days ago but had to work so a license plate bulb and battery level check is all I've done so far. On the 5th I go upstate to play "musical refrigerators" with it.

I heard about the Level I and Level II. My vehicle has 16" alloys. One bloke thought skid plates was the tell-tale. This truck has skid plates.

Another said the Level II had a special rear differential. I'll carefully read the link you sent Klaus.

My friend's son was pretty sure the rear box applique included "Level II" as an underline. My FX4 sticker has no such underline.

I have to see if my "favorite" Wolf's Head Super Universal Synthetic AT fluid covers Mercon. The glovebox manual mentions the addition of FM to the rear differential fluid of the Level II so I assume any good synthetic 75W-80 will be OK for mine if it is indeed a lowly, pedestrian Level I.

Is this 4.0 the "Cologne Engine"? Ford made this engine in aluminum for premium applications like sporty Mustangs and hot Crown Victorias, no?
The only thing I think I know is that there's an IAC (Idle Air Control Valve) which can break.

The engine is dry, shocks are 2 year old "Monroes" (from a local gas station's invoice) and I wish he had mounted the WRANGLERS black side out.

The column shifter is a tad stiff. It has the familiar "O/D OFF" push button at it's end.

Also, there are a lot of parts in the rear drum brake assemblies. RockAuto is my first stop for unfamiliar vehicles as the parts' photos are often illuminating.