Hey yall, I posted in the new guy forum but it's a bit quiet over there. Anyhow, I just picked up a 2011 2.3l RC 2WD with 58k miles. Owner didn't keep any maintenance records and said he just changed the oil from time to time. Here's what I'm planning to do:

Oil filter/oil change
Radiator/engine block flush and fill (coolant)
Engine air filter
Tire rotation

transmission fluid still looks nice and red, so I'll probably hold off on that. Brakes and tires look good as well, so won't be replacing those. Any other suggestions - fluids, fuel filter, lubrication, retorquing, sparkplugs? Thanks in advance!

 

Your doing everything I did when I got my low mileage 2009.
Additionally I would suggest you flush the brake fluid/lines/add new fluid.
Get a cheap turkey baster and draw off the power steering fluid and replace with new. Do that 2-3 times over a few weeks and you'll have replaced most of the old stuff.
When you drain and flush coolant you might want to get new radiator hoses as that would be a good time to replace them.
Check condition of serpentine belt, not so much due to mileage, but due to age....any cracks, replace it. Cheap insurance for longevity.
Maybe replace the PCV valve as that seems to be a trouble spot when mileage/age starts to accumulate. A bit of a pain to change out on the 4 cyl, but easier if you access it thru the drivers side wheel well.
And, there are 2 recalls. from Ford, concerning the drivers and passengers side air bags. Both have been recalled and will be replaced at no charge. Local dealer will probably have to order the bags, but get it done.
Best to use Motorcraft stuff for parts, filters, plugs/plug wires, OE pcv valve, thermostat, ect. Better quality and sometimes cheaper than aftermarket or foreign stuff.
And, be aware, that after you do the maintenance and you rev the engine up to check for leaks, ect...if in park or neutral, at around 3000 rpm the engine will start to stumble like it has a bad plug/coil/wire. There's a rev limiter that will cause this as long as the truck is in park/neutral.
Photo's are always welcome here. Good luck with the new truck...pristine low mileage Rangers are getting harder to find, and are now bringing top $$$$...you've got a keeper.

 

Good call on changing things out for cheap insurance. I'll also lookup whether or not this truck has had the recalls done... pretty glad I got the 2011, I heard some of the earlier 3rd gen models had upwards of 7-8 recalls?

Planning on using motorcraft too. Thanks for the advice!

Also, ride has been pretty rough, at least coming from my Tacoma, which is pretty smooth. I noticed that the bumpstops on the LCAs are pretty close to the frame - any thoughts on this? It's about an inch of travel at most. Truck doesn't look like it's sagging, but I'm thinking about replacing the coils.

 

My 2009 has only 28,500 miles, and bump stops look the same as yours as far as measurement. Your Ranger looks, at least from photo, to be in almost newish condition, and unless it was seriously overloaded numerous times and run hard, I doubt you need new springs. Save your monrey.
If your comparing the ride to your Toyo, the ride in the Toyo will be way more comfy than the Ranger. Ranger is a lightweight with a truck suspension and if running empty will give a rough ride.
Only thing I would look at would be a set of good quality shocks....I replaced the OE's on mine with a set of KYB's and ride improved alot.

 

Wow, barely broken in! I'm the third owner for this one, but from what the past owners have said, it hasn't been driven hard (owned by old man and a kid who drove it to/from school). And I appreciate the quick response!

Yeah compared to the taco it's quite a difference. I don't mind a stiff ride, but I also feel the suspension bottoming out when going over potholes on paved streets here in CO though. Any opinion on getting a smaller bumpstop or stiffer springs to keep the LCA from impacting the frame? Don't want to put too much wear/tear on the front end components.

I'll look into replacing the shocks too, but that will have to come later, after all the fluids/hoses.

 

If you think it rides stiff now, putting stiffer springs on it will just make it worse. I would just look at some good quality new shocks. Used as a light duty run around by previous owners...I seriously doubt it need springs. Shorter bump stop or shaving the OE one down a bit would give the lower arm a bit more travel before contact.
The rear springs will ware out loooong before the front coils do, and it will be noticeable as they'll flatten out. I don't remember ever seeing a coil spring "ware out" at 60,000 miles. Even my E-450 based motor home, at 12,000 lbs with 80,000 miles on it has coils that are still in new condition.
You could replact the hard rubber stops with a set of poly stops that have openings moulded in...would compress a bit more than the stock stops. Lot of companies make them...you just have to do a bit of googling to find a set with the dimensions you need.