Maintenance Advice 03 Ranger XLT 4x4 135k

[RavenRanger01]

Hey y'all...

I just wanted to touch base with some of you fellas (and fellettes) about some maintenance regarding my 2003 Ranger..

Seeing how this forum lends itself to those privy to these trucks, their quirks, and disappointments.... I am curious what maintenance items are a must given the current age and mileage of the truck...

I could type out all of the work that's been done to mine but perhaps there's some good discussion and points to be brought up surrounding everyone's personal approach to routine maintenance.. Especially outside the guidelines of the owner's manual...

This truck has a lot of potential and I just want to keep on top of it before it's "too late"

Thanks!

 

[sgtsandman]

Engine wise, change the chain tensioners if they haven't been changed already. They weaken over time and can get clogged. Some recommend every 100k, others 70k on chainging them.

That's the biggest thing.

An aluminum therostat housing is a good upgrade. The original plastic ones get brittle and crack over time.

 

[SenorNoob]

At that mileage, I'd be inspecting all steering and driveline joints too if they haven't been done already.

 

[JohnnyO]

Change ALL the fluids. Oil of course, coolant if you don't know when it was done last, tranny fluid and filter, rear axle lube, flush the brake fluid. If it's a 4x4 change the lube in the front axle and transfer case. It's almost impossible to do the front axle yourself because the crossmember is smack in front of the diff cover so just take it to the Valvoline Quicky Lube where they suck it out with a pump. Fuel filter if you don't know when it was done last.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Good advice so far...

Just a word of caution... today's market is flooded with cheap... knock off... completely inferior parts compared to what your truck was built with. So... most times I stick with if it ain't broke... don't fix it. That said... buy Motorcraft when available... and if there is any life left in the part you change... clean it up and shelf it. You may just need it in the future.

I would also exercise the spare tire carrier... lube it... and check the date on the spare... replace as necessary.

Rust... yep... I dropped the dirty 4 letter word. Common areas would be...

Core support
Door bottoms
Cab corners

Bed... heat insulator above exhaust trap moisture and rots the bed floor. Wheel wells... and if you have factory flares... they're likely hiding some rust.

Frame... check it over close. Typically from the front rear spring hangers rearward has the majority of rust issues. Probably not many trucks of this age... from the salt belt... still have the original rear spring hangers and shackles. Good replacement parts and frame patch sections are available.