This summer I'm thinking about trading in my old 1995 2.3 Ranger for a 2002 or newer auto 4WD 4.0 Ranger (as long as work comes my way). My question is are there any known issues with the 4.0 that I should be aware of? I'm asking because my 2.3 has well over 300,000 miles and has never had any mechanical issues other than replacing the water pump, EGR valve and heater control valve and that's literally all I've ever had to do to the truck.

I guess I should also point out that I'll be keeping the new truck stock with zero upgrades and I also take care of my vehicles. No one cares more about gas mileage than I do, but after this winter I don't ever want to be stranded with a 2WD again. At the end of the day all I want is another truck that will be just as reliable as my old beater. Will I get this with the SOHC 4.0 4WD?

 

The only issues I know of the SOHC is in the 2002 and 2003 years where the timing chain tensioners break or whatever they do and you have to replace the chains and tensioners. Ford solved that issue in the late 2003s. Other than that they're very reliable as long as maintenance is kept up.

 

My 2006 has been perfectly reliable.

If no one cares more about mileage than you do, a 4.0 Ranger is not for you. You will probably see all most half your current mileage.

 

this...if youre concerned about mileage buy a ----ing prius...and any t-chain issues with the 4.0 were hit/miss...FWIW i get the same MPG with my F150 as my old 4.0 4x4 ranger...just food for thought

 

I said that knowing the 4.0's get terrible gas mileage, but as I mentioned I just don't want to be stranded in bad weather again with a 2wd pickup. I initially looked into the Nissan Frontier, but I came across quite a few reviews on Edmunds stating head issues with oil leaking into the radiator. I've heard the 4.0 Tacomas easily get 18-20 mpg, but I could buy 4 Rangers for the price of a used Taco.

 

tacos get about the same mileage as the 4.0 rangers. if i were you i would be looking for an older 4 cylinder toyota 4x4 and turbo it like they did on the show Trucks!

 

Most of the timing chain problems were with the 2001 model year. Each year after that it continually got better. I think around 2006 is when Ford came up with a good redesign. My 02 has over 150,000 miles on it and no problem yet.

I think the biggest recurring issue with the Ranger is the clutch slave cylinder if you get a manual transmission. Not a big issue but still can be a pain to replace. I replaced mine at around 100,000 miles due to a bad TO bearing. I did a complete clutch job even though the clutch had easily another 100,000 miles life left in it. Otherwise, they are pretty reliable with minor maintenance type replacements.

I am coming up due to replace the ball joints but I still consider that maintenance.

 

That's the same with me. I have near 150K on my 01 and never had any problem with the tensioners. The noise is definitely there, but the chain has never slipped or broke. The 4.0 SOHC, IMO, is an excellent engine! Maybe slightly underpowered, but I have never had to do anything to my engine or the entire truck other than general maintenance.

 

Under torqued yes. Underpowered no. I prefer the sohc to the ohv hands down. It has a much wider torque curve.

 

I guess the relative power or torque is all up to the person that is using it. I think the 4.0 SOHC engine has plenty of power and torque for my needs. I do have a re-flash on the computer to bump both of those outputs but it was acceptable before the re-flash.

I tow a race car and wanted to maximize the power and torque plus I wanted to improve the gas mileage a little. The re-flash gave me both as needed and it gave me better engine braking which comes in very handy.

 

What is a re-flash?

 

If you find a fx4, beware of the P.O.S. torsen rearend that everyone loves so much. And if gas mileage is an issue, get a f150. My 5.4l gets better mileage than my 4.0l.

 

x2

 

It's better to just do an expo 31 spline axles w/a locker then go fx4 posi, IMO of course. My 03 sohc has been wonderful and feels every bit better then the ohv. I put it in my old ranger and just by seat of the pants feeling, I was just like wow, but when I first got it. It also only had 1700 miles on it, so no sh$& it felt better.

 

It is a reprogramming of the computer with a tuner. A better version of installing a chip on the computer. Mine is a Bama program on a SCT tuner.