Chip, exhaust, intercooler. What do you need and what's safe?

Q. We own a 2008 Ford Ranger and we’re thinking about fitting a bigger exhaust along with a chip module to get a bit more out of it. I was just wondering if while I’m at it, would it worth fitting a larger upgraded intercooler on the front, as I’ve been told that they bolt straight onto the standard brackets. Would it make a difference in the overall performance and reliability or should I not to worry about the intercooler and just stick with the exhaust and chip upgrades. Our Ranger is used to tow a horse float an sometimes a trailer loaded with hay or wood on our property.

A. Everything has a gain so sure it’s worth considering Intercooler upgrading. I have seen quite a few Rangers come into our workshop over the last 6 months with so called ‘Mild to Wild’ chips on them with catastrophic effects. Just be sure that what you use is backed by a company with experience in diesel and comes with an engine and driveline guarantee. My advice is stay on the cautious side when chipping this engine. Get it dynode before and after each mod, “Standard, Dyno, Chip, Dyno, Exhaust, Dyno, Intercooler, Dyno. See what each item does in the chain of mods. Also make sure you get the Exhaust AFR readings for each modification. So many ‘new’ chip companies show BIG power gains but with no sign of HOW it was made (safe or very unsafe).