2.5L ('98-'01) Did a timing belt change 99 2.5l single cab

[Parkerj92]

Wow what a difference! I just changed the timing belt/tensioner/water pump on my 1999 ranger 2.5(no ac model)I used to feel a “slap” when pressing on the throttle/engaging a gear. I was thinking it was a throttle body/cable problem. Now it shifts smooth, idles smooth, engine is purring like a kitten. I’m at 163k and bought it with 133k for 1500$. Replaced the entire front suspension, did the proquipped Saginaw pump swap. I wanna sell this for an extra cab v6 but I know I’d kick myself cuz this thing runs smooth as hell. Thanks to all the ranger enthusiasts out there!

 

[superj]

i think it would be nice to have an extended cab, also, but no way am i chancing selling this nice a truck to hope to find one as nice in extended cab.

i totally understand how you feel.


we used to live in corona, on jadestone. i went to the elementary school a street or two over for part of my 6th grade year. we actually lived in corona before moving to hawaii and then came back once dad got out of the marines. it has grown so much, i cannot believe it or recognize it that much. we lived in riverside for about 4 years too. right by castle park

 

[Shran]

Wish I could find a nice 2.5L truck - I love those engines. The one I had was a '98 and it was just snappy as hell compared to the 2.3 powered rigs I owned. Unfortunately it had very little floor pan left, had to be careful getting out so I didn't drop a leg through the hole!

 

[superj]

i liked the ones i drove also. good engine and great gas mileage

 

[Parkerj92]

i think it would be nice to have an extended cab, also, but no way am i chancing selling this nice a truck to hope to find one as nice in extended cab.

i totally understand how you feel.


we used to live in corona, on jadestone. i went to the elementary school a street or two over for part of my 6th grade year. we actually lived in corona before moving to hawaii and then came back once dad got out of the marines. it has grown so much, i cannot believe it or recognize it that much. we lived in riverside for about 4 years too. right by castle park

Hell yea man! I live near Elsinore right on the border. I remember that castle park I’m pretty sure it’s still there. Place has too much traffic in that home gardens area. This truck is nice and all but I have zero traction and I don’t know if I would be better off with bigger wheels AND a locking diff. Cause at this point any incline it’s got one wheel spinning.

 

[superj]

maybe if you put a few bags of sand in the back of the bed, it won;t spin the tires so much?

 

[Parkerj92]

maybe if you put a few bags of sand in the back of the bed, it won;t spin the tires so much?

Yea that’s true. I never seem to have anything in the bed haha. What kinda ranger do you have? Do you have a v6?? I feel like the 1-3 mpg less might be worth the upgrade to a v6.

 

[superj]

i have an 04 single cab step side with the 3.0 v6 and five speed. people say the 3.0 is not good and underpowered but the truck is fun to drive and spins the tires when i want it to. i have zero issues with this engine, and it gets decent gas mileage.

when i first drove it though, i thought it was a four cylinder. it wasn't till i was showing my son and we were listening to the exhaust that i commented that it didn't sound like a four cylinder. that was the first day we brought it home from my uncle, who couldn't drive it anymore because he had to have knee surgery. we popped the hood and were both surprised to see a v6.

but, now that we have had it for the time we have, i would buy another 3.0 powered ranger any day. i just won't ever buy a ranger with an automatic transmission.

 

[superj]

your truck looks just like the trucks my dad used for his plumbing company. he would specifically go buy rangers with four-cylinder engines and a five speed because they were such great trucks.

 

[Parkerj92]

your truck looks just like the trucks my dad used for his plumbing company. he would specifically go buy rangers with four-cylinder engines and a five speed because they were such great trucks.

Hell yea man! That funny you found out it was v6 lol. Yea man that’s a good idea. I see the 2.3l for a lot of different company’s fleets, it’s a good choice. The first gear doesn’t engage unless I come to a complete stop or like 2-3mph rolling. I emptied the tranny twice and it’s working smoother. I worked at a family owned Honda transmissions shop for a lil bit before the pandemic hit and it was a real eye opener how complicated auto transmissions are. Friction discs get wrecked when people abuse them.