Just wanted to give a shout out to all Ford Ranger owners. Been a ford owner all my life. Owned my 2003 Ford Ranger 4.0 4X4 since new. 180,000 miles and still going. Minor repairs , replacing starter today. Also running Snow Plow just for my driveway. So far took about 4 hrs to get starter out. Put back in tomorrow.
I was able to access the electrical connection from under fender well. Also top bolt to starter can be accessed also but is difficult. Used 13mm deep well socket 3/8 drive and took a while but was able to remove it. Bottom bolt easy to remove. Also a 1/4 " drive rachet with 13mm helped to remove top bolt from under the truck. You will need patience and persistence. Starter will come out from under the truck. Bring started out nose first between transmission and front drive shaft. You may need to turn the front drive shaft to avoid the u-joint. I was able to turn nose of starter just right and it popped right out. You do not need to remove front drive shaft . You do not need to remove motor mount or lift engine. This just extra work. As get better at this I will get pics out but for now I hope this will help anyone changing the starter.

 

Hey, Don. New member 2014? Me too. 2003 Ranger? Me too. 4x4? Me too. 4 liter? Me too. Starter is latest project? Me too. Live in Hebron? Me too. We may be long-lost twins. Only differences: CT vs. KY, IN or OH. Edge vs. XLT. Thanks for the good advice and have a happy holiday!

 

Hello , well does sound like we are having some twin symtems! How's it going with the starter? Hope you got it changed! I took my time with it but got my out the first night took a break and installed it the next day.