• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

Is there a ranger year where i have the least chance of getting the “death rattle”


marklbc

New Member
Joined
Apr 8, 2020
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Location
long beach
Vehicle Year
nissan
Make / Model
xterra
Transmission
Automatic
Hey guys,
i’m interested in buying a ranger as my second vehicle since my old car was free and is on its way out. Been seeing the timing chain issue is common and is a huge pain to fix and/or expensive if you buy the labor. Was interested in buying a 2008-2011 and wondering if i’ll get hit by this problem if i buy a 4.0, 3.0, or the 4 cyl on these years of vehicle. Any help or suggestions ??
 


Dirtman

Former Middleweight Moss Fighting Champion
Joined
May 28, 2018
Messages
19,304
Reaction score
13,326
Points
113
Location
41N 75W
Vehicle Year
2009
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
It's up there.
Total Drop
It's down there.
Tire Size
Round.
My credo
I poop in the furnace.
The 4.0 timing chain issues were resolved by 2005. They are still hard to work on and require pulling the engine to service but the hydraulic tensioner was redesigned so premature failure was no longer a big issue.

The 3.0 and 2.3 never had any timing chain issues to begin with.
 

marklbc

New Member
Joined
Apr 8, 2020
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Location
long beach
Vehicle Year
nissan
Make / Model
xterra
Transmission
Automatic
Thanks brother. do you know how they resolved it?
 

Dirtman

Former Middleweight Moss Fighting Champion
Joined
May 28, 2018
Messages
19,304
Reaction score
13,326
Points
113
Location
41N 75W
Vehicle Year
2009
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
It's up there.
Total Drop
It's down there.
Tire Size
Round.
My credo
I poop in the furnace.
They used less shitty parts... :icon_thumby:
 

19Walt93

Well-Known Member
Ford Technician
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Nov 13, 2018
Messages
4,473
Reaction score
4,409
Points
113
Location
Canaan,NH
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
351
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Drop
3"
Tire Size
235/55R16
My credo
If you don't have time to do it right will you have time to do it over?
They used less shitty parts... :icon_thumby:
Those were superior, German engineered timing chain tensioners and cassettes you're talking about. You remember the Germans- they started 2 wars at home and lost them both.
 

85_Ranger4x4

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
32,192
Reaction score
17,488
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
Those were superior, German engineered timing chain tensioners and cassettes you're talking about. You remember the Germans- they started 2 wars at home and lost them both.
*with the nicest equipment...
 

RonD

Official TRS AI
TRS Technical Advisor
Joined
Jun 2, 2012
Messages
25,290
Reaction score
8,290
Points
113
Location
canada
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford
Transmission
Manual
3.0l OHV Vulcans last year was 2008, good reliable engine but under powered

2.3l DOHC Duratec engine is reliable, 2001-2011, turbo version is used in the new 2019/20 Rangers
DOHC's will have a long timing chain so that would be a failure point

4.0l SOHC engine had 2 long chain tensioners that had bad springs from 1997-2003
Tensioners were redesigned in 2001/2 and should be in the 2003/4, and up, engines
This was never a 100% failure rate, just a high failure rate
And this engine design does have TWO long timing chains and any time you have long timing chains there WILL BE some timing chain issues, goes with the territory, and times TWO in this case

2008 and up 4.0l SOHC is a safe bet, but................I would plan on installing the two long chain tensioners every 100k miles to be on the safe side, same as changing the oil or brakes or ??, better safe than sorry
They are not hard to change
Only use Motorcraft brand tensioners

If you hear the rattle, its too late, a chain guide is broken, so engine needs to be pulled out
 
Last edited:

JohnnyO

Moderator Emeritus
Supporting Member
Forum Staff - Retired
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Jan 6, 2002
Messages
6,315
Reaction score
2,812
Points
113
Location
Pittsburgh, PA
Vehicle Year
2020
Make / Model
Ranger
Engine Type
2.3 EcoBoost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
1.5"
Tire Size
265/70-17
My credo
"220, 221, whatever it takes."
'04-up rarely have issues. Good for 200k+ as long as the oil has been changed regularly.
 

marklbc

New Member
Joined
Apr 8, 2020
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Location
long beach
Vehicle Year
nissan
Make / Model
xterra
Transmission
Automatic
Thanks guys will make sure to change tensioners every 100k (doesn’t seem hard to do) and keep up with regular maintenance as usual. Hyped to soon be whippin a ranger🤟🏼
 

Ranger850

Doesn't get Sarcasm . . .
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Jan 24, 2018
Messages
8,421
Reaction score
4,658
Points
113
Location
Tallahassee Florida
Vehicle Year
2001
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
Born with a 3.0, looking for a donor V8
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
Stock 2"
Tire Size
Stock
My credo
Doing things wrong, until I get it right.
I love when @RonD and @19Walt93 both ansewr a question. I feel like i sat in a tech class for free.
 

cbxer55

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 9, 2009
Messages
1,863
Reaction score
763
Points
113
Location
Midwest City, Oklahoma
Vehicle Year
1998
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
3.0
Transmission
Automatic
My 2007 with the 4.0 has 116,000+ miles. There's no rattle whatsoever. Really quiet engine, except for the intake noise. Which I like.

I'm totally happy with my 98 3.0, which will have 168,000 soon. Far as I'm concerned, mine isn't under-powered. Towed a heavy trailer from CA to OK in 2002, never even slowed down going up the big grades in Arizona and New Mexico.
 

sgtsandman

Aircraft Fuel Tank Diver
TRS Forum Moderator
U.S. Military - Active
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Ham Radio Operator
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Mar 11, 2017
Messages
12,695
Reaction score
12,380
Points
113
Location
Aliquippa, PA
Vehicle Year
2011/2019
Make / Model
Ranger XLT/FX4
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC/2.3 Ecoboost
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Pre-2008 lift/Stock
Tire Size
31X10.5R15/265/65R17
Thanks guys will make sure to change tensioners every 100k (doesn’t seem hard to do) and keep up with regular maintenance as usual. Hyped to soon be whippin a ranger🤟🏼
Before you say that, check out fordtechmakuloco’s video on youtube for the 4.0 SOHC. It wouldn’t hurt to look at other engines for the procedure as well but the 4.0 SOHC is it’s own special animal when it comes to timing chains.

I don’t want to scare you off but I also want to make sure you are fully aware of what you could be facing if you need to change those.
 

Dirtman

Former Middleweight Moss Fighting Champion
Joined
May 28, 2018
Messages
19,304
Reaction score
13,326
Points
113
Location
41N 75W
Vehicle Year
2009
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
It's up there.
Total Drop
It's down there.
Tire Size
Round.
My credo
I poop in the furnace.

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Members online

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Kirby N.
March Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top