10 days ago I bought the below 2011 Ranger XLT 4x4 with 66,400 miles. My 2002 S10 got totaled 4.5 weeks ago by someone who was just not paying attention and got angry... I was not at fault in any way! Anyway, this is my 3rd Ranger... it is very nice, well taken of and I like it very much! Sorry to say, I am not a "dyed in the wool" Ford man but I have owned 8 in my lifetime. I go with what I need and what best fits that need (or desire - 1968 Mustang & 2008 Mustang GT)... this time it was this 2011 Ranger!

 

RED Ranger

Welcome to the forum

2011 4x4 will have the 4.0l SOHC engine, it has 2 timing chain tensioners that should be changed every 100k miles, not hard to do
It has a plastic thermostat housing that can crack or otherwise leak, there is a 3rd party metal replacement now for these

It will have a 5R55E automatic or M5OD-R1HD manual, BOTH use ATF, yes ATF in a manual trans, lol

2010/2011 Rangers have rear disc brakes

1999 and up Rangers have PATS(passive anti-theft system)
This system uses an RFID tag in the handle of the key, no batteries needed
ALWAYS have a spare working key or vehicle will be stuck where it is if you lose the one working key

 

Thanks for the heads up on the thermostat housing! Just found out today that my "plastic" one is leaking - small leak currently. Ordered a Dorman aluminum one from Summit this evening. Shop wanted about ~$600 to replace it (plastic or aluminum?) and flush the system! I'll do it myself, thank you! Seems like shop labor has REALLY, REALLY gone up!

 

Good "How-to" here: How To Replace the Upper and Lower Thermostat Housing on a Ford 4.0L V6 SOHC Engine

2011 will only have 1 "sensor" on the top plate, new metal housing may have 2 holes as there were 2 "sensors" up to about 2006, well 1 sensor and 1 sender

You can put in a "dummy" sensor, 3L8Z-12A648-BA, its the same as the "sensor" you have in there now so if one fails you can just move connector over to the other one, lol

Yes, shop rates are way up there now, rent, insurance, taxes, all add up, mobile mechanics can be less expensive for non-emergency smaller projects

 

Thanks! I looked at it last night and realized just how much I had to remove just to get to the thermostat housing!

 

Some will also replace the drivers side front timing chain tensioner if throttle body is off
4.0l SOHC needs that one, and the passenger side rear tensioner, changed every 100k miles