HowTo Tell It Has Rear Doors

[Lussoman]

More interesting VIN info: the earlier 4dr. VIN position nos. 5-7 don't show whether it is a 2dr. or 4dr. This is a 2001 with 'R15' at 5-7 and is a 4dr.

 

[Lussoman]

UGump, is the 'core support' you're talking about the bracket/beam under the radiator?

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.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Pretty much all the header panel behind the grill. Body mount area up front too. Not sure why it does it... but it does.

Even with the bad rap the 4.0L SOHC has with timing chains... I personally would rather have it then a 3.0L. I just don't like the power band they have... you need to run it fairly hard to get there. I'm old I drive like an old man... the power on the 4.0L fits my driving style perfectly. It also makes the best torque and horsepower of any Ranger engine.

 

[Lussoman]

Good to know, I'm still looking. Buying it for Toad/Dinghy duty with my RV rig, so reliability is a big need.

 

[Roert42]

The SOHC 4.0 is a reliable engine, as long as you replace the oil pressurized tensioners every 70k give or take. I have two, and one has over 250K on it.

 

[Lussoman]

So to replace the rear tensioners, one has to pull the engine?

The SOHC 4.0 is a reliable engine, as long as you replace the oil pressurized tensioners every 70k give or take. I have two, and one has over 250K on it.

 

[Uncle Gump]

You can replace the tensioners both the left front and the right rear with the engine in the truck. It's when you need to replace the guides or chains the engine has to come out.

If one fails and the chain(s) jump time... it will bend valves and can also break pistons. That's why maintenance is critical on the tensioners.

 

[Roert42]

So to replace the rear tensioners, one has to pull the engine?

Nope, can be done in the driveway in a hour. The top one is kinda a pain because you need to partly remove the upper intake plenum, but otherwise not that big of a deal. Some guys said they had to pull the thermostat housing, but I did not find that to be the case on my 2003 or 2011.

 

[Lussoman]

UGump/Roert42 - besides the 2001 3.0L, I'm also looking at a 2005 4.0L with 144kmi. Dealer car, not much history on it. How do I assess the engine tensioners, chains, guides as much as possible without disassembly?

You can replace the tensioners both the left front and the right rear with the engine in the truck. It's when you need to replace the guides or chains the engine has to come out.

If one fails and the chain(s) jump time... it will bend valves and can also break pistons. That's why maintenance is critical on the tensioners.

 

[Uncle Gump]

@Lussoman

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.

I addressed that earlier... I've noticed it on a couple engines. Usually on a cold start. That is when tensioners would loose the oil prime. The tensioners are also spring loaded... when the spring weakens (the reason they're considered maintenance items) and there is no oil pressure on a cold start... you can hear a bit of a rattle... like I said earlier.... a 2 second drum roll. Once running... If you can hear any clatter in the LF front or RR of the engine compartment... it could mean there are oiling issues and/or chain guide wear or worse... chain guides beginning to fail. It is referred to as "death rattle"... and for good reason.

 

[Lussoman]

Yes, I did read your earlier post about startup noise. That's why I said '...as much as possible without disassembly'. I was hoping you might have more info--some x-ray goggles maybe, I dunno. Anyhoo, I'll start looking at 'death rattles' more than I already have. I just don't want to buy a crap Ranger like the stories I've read on this website & others. But it's always a roll of the dice anyhow. Thanks.

 

[JohnnyO]

Looks like 1998 was first year there was a 4 door option although there weren't many made

It became an option in mid-98. My first Ranger was a 99 SC that I special-ordered and the 4 doors was an extra cost option I got. I think around 2001 they were standard on the SC but a little later they came out with an economy STX that cost a little less and did not have 4 doors, I remember because my cousin got one.

 

[Roert42]

It became an option in mid-98. My first Ranger was a 99 SC that I special-ordered and the 4 doors was an extra cost option I got. I think around 2001 they were standard on the SC but a little later they came out with an economy STX that cost a little less and did not have 4 doors, I remember because my cousin got one.

I believe the doors were always an extra cost option. Neither of my trucks have them.

I remember someone on here looked it up, maybe @racsan ? I can’t remember, and the doors were like a $300 option.

 

[racsan]

Yes it was a added cost option, I “thought” maybe 3 grand- been too long ago, that posting is most likely buried deep. I recall thinking it was a great idea but for that $ I could have the big V6 or 4wd.

 

[Roert42]

Yes it was a added cost option, I “thought” maybe 3 grand- been too long ago, that posting is most likely buried deep. I recall thinking it was a great idea but for that $ I could have the big V6 or 4wd.

For some reason I thought it was oddly cheap.