Hello From Canada!

[RangerDangerNorth]

Hi everyone, my name is Moose and I'm from Ontario, Canada. I just picked up this 2002 Ford Ranger XLT 4X4 Off-Road and am excited to be a part of this community! If there's any mods or upgrades anybody recommends, feel free to comment, I'm open to suggestions. Thanks!

 

[Curious Hound]

Hi! Welcome to TRS! Nice truck.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Hey neighbor.
Nice looking truck.

 

[dvdswan]

Welcome to the site. Nice looking truck.

 

[MXGerry]

Welcome aboard! Lots of mod ideas around

 

[Uncle Gump]

Got to love a FX4... That truck has some factory goodies you should be aware of. In the Tech Library the FX4 trucks get broken down by the years... get in there and poke around and learn what your truck has from the factory. These trucks were the most capable Rangers Ford ever built.

They also came with the highest output engine Ford ever put in a Ranger. Total win IMHO... but the early ones had some issues with the timing chain tensioners and guides. Depending on when yours was built... it may or may not have the updated parts. So... you should familiarize yourself with the 4.0L SOHC timing chain and tensioners. Pay close attention to the engine on a cold start... the tell tale sign you're having an issue with the timing chain system will be a brief "rattle" when first started. The key to preventing it is just good engine maintenance... with quality oil and a Motorcraft filter... at proper intervals. If it doesn't rattle... I would plan on replacing the tiling chain tensioners as a preventative procedure.

These model years also came with some rust issues... check the bottom side of your doors... front core support and the underside of the bed. All points of issue. Depending on the level of road salt exposure... I would also just get a good look at the complete underside. Inspect the brake lines... suspension brackets... etc...

Cool truck... it looks like a great start to a fun project. I personally would keep the suspension as close to stock as I could. A couple tweaks here and there and it could be on some 33x10.50 tires with those Alcoa wheels and be ready for much of whatever you point it at.

Welcome to TRS...