Hello ive just acquired a 08 2.3 from my cousin and am loving it . I been a Toyota truck guy mostly but definitely digging the ranger a lot. I’m having the issue with no heat n cab. Blows fine and a/c works although it takes a while it get cold but it gets good n cold. I’ve searched the forum and found a lot of good information and places to start troubleshooting. The truck temp gauge never gets above the C (cold) side barely even after driving all day. Not even close to middle of gauge regular operating temp. Now of course I’m assuming and hoping as well that it just needs a thermostat to solve my heat problem. No heat and temp gauge doesn’t get barely above cold . Just double asking u guys before I go poking around everything. Thank you !

 

Firsr things first.
Pull the radiator cap. Start truck in the morning when engine is cold. See if there is circulation in the radiator. If so, it needs a new thermostat. Perhaps old owner reverse-installed thermostat? Ken

 

+1 ^^^

Also after driving home and engine is warmed up, at least 15min drive, leave engine running and open the hood
Feel the upper radiator hose and the heater hoses at the firewall, should be nice and toasty warm/hot 180+ degF
If not that hot then yes, most likely thermostat is stuck open, its on the lower radiator hose so all coolant must be drained to change it
Thermostats are suppose to "Fail Safe", stay open when they break, if it stayed closed then overheating occurs which would be a "Fail BAD", lol

After checking the hoses then shut off the engine
2008 Ranger 2.3l can have a mechanical fan OR electric fan
If it's a Mechanical fan then try to spin it manually, if engine coolant was not very hot it should spin easily, if so all is well, if it's tight and won't spin easily then its "locked" and is over cooling the engine
The Part that is locked is called a Fan Clutch, change it

 

Thanks so much ! I’ll get to it ASAP this weekend.