HowTo Tell It Has Rear Doors

[Lussoman]

I used the Ford-Trucks VIN Decoder https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/vindecoder.php?vin=1FTZR45E05PA49822 (just click the 'Decode' button), and that code came up 'correctly' as a 4-door. Confusing.

Typo maybe?

 

[Uncle Gump]

The truck looks pretty clean... but I have to say... in this market for them to be dropping the price seems concerning to me. I paid north of that for my 06 but it had 75K when I bought it.

I would take a good solid look at it before I bought it. Pay attention to noises in the engine...

 

[Lussoman]

Gump, I don't follow: your post #2 says yours is a 2-door,

Not all 99+ Ranger have the 4 door supercab.
Look for the door gap between the rear door and back of the cab.
You don't see it on my 06... because it's a 2 door supercab.

but your post #13 seems to imply yours is a 4-door?

Yeah... I just looked when I ran a load to storage.

I thought it was actually just before the cab corner... but indeed it is around the corner.

Is it accurate to say that a 2dr extended cab does not have a rear vertical part line, and the 4dr. does have a rear vertical part line? And that part line is just around the rear corner of the cab on both sides?

 

[Roert42]

Is it accurate to say that a 2dr extended cab does not have a rear vertical part line, and the 4dr. does have a rear vertical part line? And that part line is just around the rear corner of the cab on both sides?

They both have a line at the top corner, but the line stops in the top corner of the cab on the 2 door, on the 4 door continues down the back of the cab.

 

[Lussoman]

Oh boy, noises in the engine....now that's a big research project, but I gotta do it. I had read that most of the Ranger engines were pretty reliable, even the ones with belts.

The truck looks pretty clean... but I have to say... in this market for them to be dropping the price seems concerning to me. I paid north of that for my 06 but it had 75K when I bought it.

I would take a good solid look at it before I bought it. Pay attention to noises in the engine...

 

[Lussoman]

Ok, got it, thanks.

They both have a line at the top corner, but the line stops in the top corner of the cab on the 2 door, on the 4 door continues down the back of the cab.

 

[sgtsandman]

The other thing to look for if you are looking at them in person, is the release handle on the door jam. It’s about half way up and covered by the front door when it’s closed. If it isn’t there, it’s not a 4-door.

 

[Lussoman]

Good tip, thanks.

The other thing to look for if you are looking at them in person, is the release handle on the door jam. It’s about half way up and covered by the front door when it’s closed. If it isn’t there, it’s not a 4-door.

 

[Lussoman]

I found this. Looks like VIN postions 5-7 code can change depending on year. This is for year 2005.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Gump, I don't follow: your post #2 says yours is a 2-door,


but your post #13 seems to imply yours is a 4-door?


Is it accurate to say that a 2dr extended cab does not have a rear vertical part line, and the 4dr. does have a rear vertical part line? And that part line is just around the rear corner of the cab on both sides?

Sorry for the confusion... mine is a 2 door.

Oh boy, noises in the engine....now that's a big research project, but I gotta do it. I had read that most of the Ranger engines were pretty reliable, even the ones with belts.

They are all good engines. Honestly... them lowering the price just seems weird. Used car prices are out of control lately.

The 4.0L SOHC had timing chain tensioner and chain guide issues early on. That 05 should have to updated parts that Ford released as replacements. However... lack of maintenance is never good and the guides are actually wear items. Tensioners should also be replaced every 75K or so. If it has a rattle it could mean the damage has been done. The only way to correct it is to pull the engine.

I've heard the rattle on a cold start. Kinda sounds like a 2 second drum roll to me. Also if you can hear a little clatter from the LF or RR of the engine... it is a pretty big concern. If the timing chains jump... it will totally ruin your day.

 

[Uncle Gump]

These trucks also have some rust issues... inspect the bottom of the doors... the core support and also the bottom side of the bed. These are known to have some serious rust issues.

 

[sgtsandman]

These trucks also have some rust issues... inspect the bottom of the doors... the core support and also the bottom side of the bed. These are known to have some serious rust issues.

@Lussoman all very true. I’ve been successful at mitigating most of them but the bottom of the driver’s side got away from me and rusted through.

Fords rust. Those in the know take steps to minimize or eliminate it but you have to stay on top of it.

 

[CrabGuy]

If all you have are photos to determine 2dr or 4dr look for a 1.5" wide filler trim piece on the full width at the top of the rear door area. If it has a trim piece it's a 2dr; the top of the rear door lines up with the front door on the 4dr model, no filler strip.

 

[fastpakr]

This spot?

 

[Lussoman]

UGump, thanks for the rust tip, I'll look. I live in the PNW, so cars tend to fare better rustwise. Also, after reading more about the 4.0L (and your tip), I got a bit scared of it, and found a 2001 3.0L 4dr. Researched the engine, found basically that oil/filter changes, watch the cam synchronizer shaft and you're good is how I understand that one?

These trucks also have some rust issues... inspect the bottom of the doors... the core support and also the bottom side of the bed. These are known to have some serious rust issues.