Make more power with a Ford Ranger turbocharger kit. Installing a turbocharger is an easy and sometimes affordable way to increase your horsepower. All you need to do is buy a fitting kit, and you’re set for life.
That might sound too good to be true, but we’ve got a couple of turbocharger kits that’ll make your Ford ranger faster without spending too much money.
Ready to know more about these upgrades and how you can install one? Then let’s explore all these options.
Contents
How Does a Turbocharger Work?
The turbocharger or turbo has been around for decades now and has truly revolutionized the industry. Nowadays, turbochargers are found on small airplanes and boats.
So, what’s so special about the turbocharger? Well, unfortunately, your car’s cylinders are limited in how much air they can suck in.
Back in the day, mechanics got around that by making bigger cylinders, but this led to heavy and sometimes weird engine designs. And that is where a turbocharger comes in handy.
A turbocharger essentially sucks in more air, which means the engine can burn more fuel faster, leading to more horsepower when going down the road.
Why Get a Turbocharger Kit for Ford Ranger?
You’ve probably seen some guys showing off their new turbochargers on Instagram before, but is it worth the extra money and work? Well, let’s find out.
Horsepower
To make more power, you need to burn more fuel. However, all that extra fuel is useless if you can’t bring in more air.
So, you have to find a way to increase your airflow going into the engine.
That’s precisely when a turbocharger kit comes in handy. The turbocharger is designed to increase the airflow going into the engine, making your vehicle run faster.
Flutter Sound
Sure, making more horsepower is the main reason why car enthusiasts get a Ford Ranger turbocharger kit.
But we can’t talk about turbochargers without talking about how noisy they sound when the car is in motion.
You’ve probably heard the “PSSSHHHH” or “ZUTUTU” sound before.
And as disturbing as that sound can be for people nearby, car enthusiasts go crazy when the engine kicks in. It makes you feel like you’re driving a jet.
So, if you want to be one of those cool drivers, consider getting a turbocharger kit. It’s genuinely a game-changing feature.
Size & Power
Typically, a bigger engine can burn more fuel than a small one. This means that a bigger engine is generally faster.
For example, a small engine might struggle to produce more horsepower when towing heavy loads due to its limited design.
Thankfully, a turbocharger is a life safer for the small engines.
A turbocharger will allow your small engine to produce much more horsepower even though it’s relatively small.
Turbochargers Are Hella Fun
Let’s keep it a buck fifty. Turbochargers are one of the best upgrades you can get on most vehicles. The amount of horsepower you get is insane.
Not only that, but if you add the fact that your car is incredibly noisy, then you got the perfect upgrade.
Now imagine going to a car meet with other car enthusiasts, all of which are revving up their engines to show who’s boss. You’re not going to find that on any other upgrade.
Best Ford Ranger Turbocharger Kits Reviews 2021
Below, we’ll help you find the right turbocharger kit for your Ford Ranger.
1. maXpeedingrods WL84-C-AMUS Turbocharger Kit – Best Overall
Highlighted Features
- Horsepower boost
- Airflow improvement
- Quality-tested turbo
- Shaft play prevention
Looking for a reliable turbocharger kit that allows you to make more power without spending a fortune? Then this kit from Maxpeedingrods will make that come true.
Although this kit is not as popular as others in the market, the company behind this masterpiece didn’t waste any time building it and managed to make one of the most reliable turbocharger kits available.
There’s not much to say about the installation process, other than it’s relatively simple.
If you don’t know much about turbocharger kits, you can probably watch a YouTube video and get by just fine.
“Sure, this turbocharger kit is not $1,000. But still, you’re getting a reliable and well-made turbocharger for an affordable price. And if you know what you’re doing, you could shop around and rebuild the kit to make it even better.”
What We Liked
- Easy to install
- Best bang for the buck
- Well-made turbo
- Increases performance
What We Didn’t Like
- Might need upgrades for better performance
2. XS-Power Xspower802 Turbocharger Kit – Best for Durability
Highlighted Features
- Horsepower boost
- Corrosion-resistant
- No shaft play
- Airflow improvement
When you think of getting a turbocharger kit for your Ford ranger, odds are you’re close to spending thousands of dollars, but this one from XS-power gets the job done for an affordable price.
Designed with power in mind, this turbocharger kit is an excellent option for those high-performance drivers who want an affordable and well-made turbo.
On the other end of the spectrum, the installation assembly for this turbo kit is pretty simple.
Sure, it takes time, but it’s restively easy compared to other turbocharger kits out there.
Other than that, consumers on Amazon have expressed they have not experienced any shaft play, making it a trustworthy turbocharger despite its low price.
“Although this turbo holds up pretty well and has boosted my horsepower, it doesn’t come with the 5-bolt gasket. Even though the product adversities such thing, it doesn’t come with it.”
What We Liked
- Easy to install
- Holds up to corrosion
- Increases performance
- Kit comes covered in protective oil
What We Didn’t Like
- Kit does not come with 5-bolt gasket
3. ECCPP 106978-5211-1631308291 Turbocharger Kit – Best for Performance
Highlighted Features
- Airflow improvement
- Horsepower boost
- Quality-tested turbocharger
- No shaft play
Your Ford Ranger is pretty fast without any modifications. Still, a Ford turbocharger kit would make it faster and furious. And that’s exactly what this kit from ECCPP has to offer.
Right out of the box, this turbocharger kit increases your airflow, leading to more horsepower once you’ve successfully installed it.
Like the other turbocharger kits we’ve reviewed, this one is also pretty easy to install.
Part of the reason this one is easy to install is thanks to the company providing everything you need for the assembly.
Other than that, we love they’ve taken enough time to test this turbocharger kit.
For instance, unlike other cheap turbochargers, this one won’t mess up your engine.
“Although not as popular as other options, we still believe that this an excellent turbocharger kit if you want to make more power without spending a ridiculous amount of money.”
What We Liked
- Super easy to install
- Runs like a charm
- Increases airflow
- Holds up pretty well
What We Didn’t Like
- Not as popular as other options
How to Install a Turbocharger Kit in Ford Ranger
Installing a turbocharger takes an overwhelming amount of time, and it’s not the best job for a beginner.
But it can be done if you put in enough time. That being said, here’s how to install a new turbocharger:
1. What You Will Need
Before installing a new turbocharger, get all these tools:
- Sockets and extension—to reach the engine, you have to remove lots of other parts.
- New air oil and fuel filters—for better results, consider replacing the old ones.
- Mechanic gloves and a rag—you’ll probably get your hands dirty, so get mechanic gloves.
2. Getting Started
Before getting started, make sure your engine is in great shape. You don’t want to install a turbocharger on a faulty engine.
Next up, unbox the turbocharger. Be careful when handling the turbocharger. Avoid grabbing it by the actuator, rods, or hoses.
And finally, get new air oil and fuel filters and fresh engine oil. Skipping this step can cause immediate damage to your new turbocharger.
3. Make Sure the Air Horses Are Clean
Installing a Ford ranger turbo charger upgrade is no easy job and takes some special steps to install one successfully.
For example, all the air hoses going into the turbocharger must be clean beforehand, and they shouldn’t be cracked.
Otherwise, you could run into severe issues, including engine and turbo failure.
4. Remove the Old Turbocharger
After inspecting the vehicle, remove the old turbocharger. So, start by removing the old turbocharger oil supply line and then disconnect the drain line from the turbocharger.
Next up, remove the bolts holding the turbocharger together. Finally, remove the oil tube and the old gasket from the exhaust manifold.
5. Integrating the New Turbocharger
After removing the old turbocharger, install the new gasket on the engine exhaust manifold. After that, put the new turbocharger in place.
Once that’s done, tighten it down to safely attach the turbocharger to the engine exhaust manifold.
From there, install your new O-ring on the oil drain tube, and then attach the drain tube to the engine block and turbocharger.
Next up, fill the oil inlet hole with fresh oil and then move the compressor wheel.
Before reconnecting the old oil supply line, make sure to fill the oil inlet hole according to your owner’s manual.
Now, remove the oil supply line adapter from your old turbocharger and then clean it thoroughly before installing it.
With that out of the way, install the new gasket and then the adapter. Lastly, install your oil supply line.
By following all of our instructions, you can install a new turbocharger kit on most engines. But if you need help installing it, then here’s a well-made video for this job:
How much Does it Cost to Install a Turbocharger?
As you saw before, installing a Ford 5.4 turbocharger kit is no joke. So, you might want to pay a certified professional for this job.
Although getting in touch with a professional is the best thing you can do, just know that it can expensive.
For example, installing a turbocharger kit can cost anywhere from $1,500 all the way up to $2,300.
But this is one of those things you never want to cheap out. Paying some nameless mechanic for this job can be the beginning of a long road.
Installing a turbocharger takes a lot of work, and there are specific steps you must follow to install one.
Otherwise, you could blow the engine and the turbocharger in the blink of an eye.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Let’s explore more information about turbocharger kits to help you make the right decision.
Can you put a turbo on a Ford Ranger?
Yes! You can put a turbo on your Ford Ranger. There are countless turbochargers available for this vehicle.
When in doubt, go on Amazon and select your car on the drop-down menu, and you should find one.
How much is a good turbo kit?
With the advent of so many companies, there are several turbocharger kits available. For instance, you can find a decent turbocharger kit for $150.
And if you’re willing to spend more money for a much better option, expect to pay a whopping $1,000.
How much HP does a turbo kit add?
It depends on your turbocharger kit. Many people get it wrong and end up out of pocket spending money on useless upgrades. But for the most part, expect to get 50-100 gains.
Does bigger turbo mean more power?
Yes, a larger turbo means more power. This is thanks to the insane amount of airflow it produces, which translates to more horsepower.
Conclusion
We hope you’ve found the right Ford Ranger turbocharger kit.
Although choosing a turbocharger kit is not easy, these options are an excellent way to narrow down the countless kits there are in the wild.
They are not as expensive as those high-end turbocharger kits you might see online. But they are good enough for most drivers looking to increase horsepower.
And if you know what you’re doing, you can always rebuild the turbocharger and save yourself some money.
