So My original radiator needs replaced. While I have it out would you replace an original water pump that has no problems, just because I'm there and the system is already empty. 2004 155,000 miles. Thought this was a interesting question.

 

Not a black and white question.
Probably yes though. If the rad needs changing, it's either clogged or leaking or both.
At any rate it would indicate that the anti freeze mixture hasn't been changed at regular intervals and or the truck has sat for long periods of time to cause the rad to fail.
So what do you think the pump fins look like, it may be working now, but it may start to fail down the road _ or leak.
If you find lots of rusty coolant, then yes, replace the pump too.

I have a 3 litre, I've never had a vehicle where the rad comes out so easily, four bolts and it's out.
If the pump does go, removing the rad isn't the difficult part.
It does get pretty hot where you are though, I would put in a new pump _ thermostat and rad cap too.
Don't forget to test the new thermostat on the stove. I've had 5 new Gates thermostats all fail, they never opened, there must have been a bad batch.
New parts are not to be trusted.

 

I've always been taught that if you're in the area of a major component, such as a water pump, and especially if you're working on the cooling system after some type of failure, buy a new one and put it in. Cheap insurance and whatnot.

Learned that from my father who was a mechanic in the days of "Points, plugs, and distributors", I believe. Old stuff, lol.

 

Water pumps wear out.

And can strand you when they do, if you don't know when it was last replaced then replace it.

 

Thanks. All. I was going to replace it but wanted to ask this debatable questions. For me out on the desert trails the truck is a lifeline. I find my self way out there with no cell phone signal many times.

I replaced a cracked thermostat housing and thermostat 2 years ago, and all hoses while I was at it. No rust in the system at all. Its been changed often thru its life. Living in the desert heat I kept it fresh. Just the plastic tank on the passenger side started leaking from somewhere in there.

I'm the second owner on this truck, bought this 2004 in 2007 with 34k on it. Been a great truck. and tackled tons of desert trails. Just had the front end rebuilt recently. I went down a 11 months ago and drove a brand new Nissan Frontier Pro-4x but couldn't pull the trigger on 34K bucks. Decided to keep this truck on the trail for another couple years then will see. Wonder if the new Ranger or Bronco will be cool or not. Or if Jeep will have something worth checking out in the truck market. I wanted jeep to make something not looking like a wrangler thou. Was hoping it would be its own beast.

Thanks all.

 

I had to replace my radiator at around 150K miles. I was about 1500 miles from home and did not have the time to replace the water pump. I probably would not have anyway. I am now at near 213K miles and the original water pump is still working as it should. I believe in preventative maintenance but don't consider a water pump a maintenance replaceable item unless it is giving some kind of indication it is starting to fail. I find they normally do show signs of failing before doing it catastrophically.

 

 

@ IN2 FX4

Yes, water pumps don't usually have catastrophic failures, but why take a chance on engine that has zero tolerance for over heating.
Lets say the pump isn't leaking and then one day you're out in the desert and it starts to leak while you're driving.
How much coolant has to leak out before the engine over heats to the point where the heads crack ?
Would you notice the leak in time before the damage was done ?

It's quite the gamble when you think about it.

 

Absolutely! And that's exactly the situation. I've been driving from Oc Ca up north to Redwood city which is 7 hours and back, then I've been driving to Tuscan AZ across the desert 7 hours and back. With the miles I have now makes me nervous about blowing the motor. Preventative maintenance is the key with a dinosaur like mine.

 

I would not argue those points at all. I have replaced many things that were still working but I just did not feel comfortable continuing to run them. One point to take note is from one of my brothers that has a repair shop in Kansas. He told me he does not like to replace original equipment unless it really needs it because he has seen many replacement parts fail quicker than they should. He also owns a NAPA parts store and uses quality parts. I always look for quality parts and that is usually an OEM replacement.

 

Totally agree with you on quality parts. Things like the fuel pump, synchronizer and water pump, for example, should be replaced with original Ford parts, or at least quality parts.
The cheap aftermarket fuel pumps only seem to last a year.
That goes for the clutch slave cylinder too.
They all fail before the warranty runs out, but who the hell wants to remove the box or drop the trans every year ?

 

Once I got that stupid clutch fan off, I got the pump off. Nice metal gasket in there. wow.

 

At only 150K on the clock, your Ranger is still new. I would leave the water pump alone. Like others have said, the rad is so simple to replace it is almost funny. My Dad always used to say that if it is working fine, don't try to fix it.

My buddies pick on me all the time about keeping my 12 year old Ranger while they have all traded up to brandy new F-150's or Rams or whatever. I tell them for me it's all about the ease of working on these trucks that I like the most as I do not own a fancy garage with a lift and tons of tools. I'm a shade tree mechanic at best on a good day.

I'd like to see them change their radiator with 4 bolts and 10 minutes. Hell, it takes them an hour just to get their headlamps replaced most of the time.

 

4 bolts???

When did they add 2 extra bolts?

Or are the hose clamps counted as bolts, lol.

Oh wait, the shroud right :)

 

Yup, the shroud...

 

thanks all. Yeah radiator could be stolen for aluminum it so easy to get out. https://www.ranger-forums.com/member...l-nv-11874.jpg Time for some desert fun again.