Snorkel Kit for the Red Barn Customs Mud Bog? Check. Scuba Kit? Sadly, no. Great move on the snorkeling kit for the exhaust, mud warrior! An oft overlooked thing like ensuring the engine doesn’t get drowned out beneath a slurry of mud and water is the biggest pitfall in the wide world of mud bogging. Thankfully, somebody came out rearing to go.
Unfortunately, this old, modified Ford pick-up’s fording kit couldn’t cover the near four feet of water and muck it dug itself into. It’s a sad day indeed when we have to stand by and see the product of somebody’s joy get drowned out in the mud. Yet, something says this isn’t this Ford truck’s first time snorkeling.
Red Barn Customs Mud Bog
This is where you can find old surplus 5-tons trucks slugging through five feet of muddy water and Chevy Silverados pushed to the brink of their stock build. Red Barn Customs makes it happen every year and it’s a showcase event for those born to bog. But for those dedicated to their four to six cylinder mud grinders like this old early-90s model Ford Ranger, this is certainly the bog to prove your dedication.
One of the events Red Barn Customs throws on every year is the four to five foot deep mud bog straight run. It’s an event where smaller trucks fear to tread. However, for those confident in their fording abilities – it’s a great way to see if the engine compartment is as airtight as they thought. (more…)
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In 2012, Ford stopped producing the Ford Ranger as we know it in North America. It continued on to live a fine life in the beautiful reaches of South America because it was extre
Ford Ranger – A Forgotten Classic
In 2012, Ford stopped producing the Ford Ranger as we know it in North America. It continued on to live a fine life in the beautiful reaches of South America because it was extremely light weight, durable, and perfect for carving through all sorts of off-road paths.
In its heyday, in 1992, the Ford Ranger featured a 4.0 L SOHC Cologne V6 engine. The Cologne V6 ran at 155 hp – good enough for highways but certainly underpowered for carving through the mud. What it was, though, was an extremely durable engine. An engine perfect for an after-market turbocharger, a fording kit, and ethanol injection. That’s where the Ford Ranger found its second life in North American markets – as a great choice for off-road experimentation.
While a three speed automatic transmission was commonly available, in the early 1990s Ford wanted to really push a new and improved five speed manual transmission. That’s why they introduced the M5OD-R1. For it’s time, it was a very efficient and clean transmission – capable of overdrive when needed and four wheel drive where required. It was borrowed from the Mazda line-up of transmissions when Mazda Motor Corporation was still building trucks. Not much need be said about it other than the fact that once it went in, it generally stayed for the life of the truck. And if it needed to be replaced, it had very simple mechanical parts to replace. The M5OD-R1 is part of the reason why the early Rangers have stuck around as long as they have.
Deep Water Fording Musts for Trucks
If the water gets too deep, you can either wait for it to flood the exhaust or the driver’s compartment but most boggers would rather be covered in mud than have their engines drowned. That’s why deep water fording kits are often a great upgrade to ensure your truck stays alive when the muck gets thick. But forget about the exhaust and engine a moment – there’s a lot of sensitive pieces to a rugged vehicle that need protecting as well. Here are the things to look for:
• Protect Axles with Sealed Axle Tubes
Even if muck and grime doesn’t take out the engine, it can certainly do a number on axles. That’s because fine sediment can make its way into the gaps and crevices found on the axle tubes will wear away any seal and cause friction. Even if the water won’t be getting deep, sealing the axles is one of the best ways to keep a truck alive after the boggin’ is through. Look for T6 aluminum or similar for the housing as its an alloy not prone to rust, lightweight, and extremely durable. In terms of O-rings, there better be two. Fine silt and sand can carve apart the inside of an axle faster than blow torch.
• Save on Grease with Waterproof U-Joints
We all know grease beads off water. A lot of mud bog enthusiasts will grease up their U-joints prior to jumping in the pond. However, you can save a lot of hassle by just installing waterproof U-joints. They don’t cost much and they afford the luxury of saving the grease for the barbecue.
• Sealed Waterproof Relays
Electricity and soupy water don’t mix. Even if the engine compartment floods, there’s no need to lose the electrical system in the vehicle. That’s why they invented waterproof and sealed relays. Now, each person has their own electronic and mechanical modifications which is why after-market producers make them in all shapes and sizes. However, leaving that little detail out is almost guaranteeing that whatever rolls into the bog is most certainly not driving back out.
