The gatorback serp belt replacement

[SandFlea]

Recently taking on a 2004 3.0L ranger edge, within days of driving her around it developed the dreaded squeak.
I took it to a shop i know well and they said the accessory area looked true & tight, they popped a new belt on and off i went, quietly, sane.
Next day it started squeaking. Took it back up to em (me explaining these trucks are notorious for it) and they assured me again its all legit, put some dressing on it, off i went quiet again.
Next day *chirp chirp chirp*. I descended into madness.

Said F it, looked thru as many threads i could find here and elsewhere about the glorious gatorback and the miracles it works. So it no longer is in production and the continental belt is the replacement. I hunted it down at autozone, got home, slapped it on and shes once again quiet (going on 2 days )

Long story short, if anyones looking for a good replacement, this is the one.

Likely other threads covering the matter but i cdnt locate any recent ones... so anywho heres the part num/link


4060882

https://www.autozone.com/cooling-heating-and-climate-control/belt/p/continental-belt-4060882/470112_719631_8238?searchText=4060882

 

[DILLARD000]

Yep
ContinentalElite=GoodYearGatorBack
is my prefered belts too on both V6~4.0L~SOHC & V6~3.5L~DOHC engines here.
Quality+Grippy+Quiet

 

[mxl4729]

i had had the same issue. the test us ti spray some water on the best see if the noise goes away. if it does its the belt. I put in a Continental from auto zone and it was the only belt that did not make noise.

 

[Xrundan]

Also, your cam shaft synchronizer can squeak and chirp, sounding just like a belt. Listen closely to be sure the noise is not coming from the rear of the engine, on passenger side. That's where your synchronizer is.

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

Sandflea, I have your truck's brother; mines a black standard cab flareside.
I also had your squeak/chirp, thinking it was from the belt.
Turned out to be the synchronizer, per Xrundan.

If the chirp returns, suspect the synchronizer.

(Regarding the 04) it's fuel pump gave up at the 55K mile mark. Thought it
was impossible since it was so new. Took the old pump apart and the
brushes had worn into the stator(?), causing the pump failure.
I believe Ford got hold of a bunch of faulty pumps during this era of
production.

Other than synchronizer and fuel pump the truck has been trouble free.
Love it!

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Also, your cam shaft synchronizer can squeak and chirp, sounding just like a belt. Listen closely to be sure the noise is not coming from the rear of the engine, on passenger side. That's where your synchronizer is.

I was gonna say this +1

 

[Eddo Rogue]

How fresh are your pulleys/tensioner? I replaced most of mine.

 

[Fast Eddie]

Sandflea, I have your truck's brother; mines a black standard cab flareside.
I also had your squeak/chirp, thinking it was from the belt.
Turned out to be the synchronizer, per Xrundan.

If the chirp returns, suspect the synchronizer.

(Regarding the 04) it's fuel pump gave up at the 55K mile mark. Thought it
was impossible since it was so new. Took the old pump apart and the
brushes had worn into the stator(?), causing the pump failure.
I believe Ford got hold of a bunch of faulty pumps during this era of
production.

Other than synchronizer and fuel pump the truck has been trouble free.
Love it!

Here on the pump too.

 

[superj]

i have the other brother to yall's trucks. 04 edge 3.0 five speed flare side single cab. no squeaks though

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

i have the other brother to yall's trucks. 04 edge 3.0 five speed flare side single cab. no squeaks though

We need to start a club...LOL

As to the fuel pump problem, the brushes had worn down into the copper (stator/armature, whatever
it's called?) and no longer had electrical connection. Usually it's the brushes that wear.
The problem was either the carbon brushes were too hard or the copper was too soft.

 

[gaz]

Sandflea,

The Goodyear Gaterback belts of yule were great and the Continental belts of today are the only choice.