Hi all, new to the forums and am the proud owner of a recently purchased '01 regular cab stepside Ranger. My first question should be....how good is the 2.5 motor? Thanks in advance

 

Welcome to the forum

2.5l would be the Lima OHC engine, also called Pinto engine since it was first used in 1976 Ford Pinto, 2.3l version

2.5l was a stroked 2.3l and only made/used from 1998-2001 in Rangers
Rangers used the 2.3l Lima from 1983 to 1997

It was a very reliable engine, 30 year run(actually started in 1970), and they don't keep making them if they don't keep running, lol
Technology just got better and demand for more horse power from 4 cylinder engines got the better of the Lima SOHC engines, but it "takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'"

It uses a timing belt which needs to be changed every 80k miles or so, it is a non-interference engine so if belt breaks NO engine damage will occur

You have the last year of these Lima SOHC engines, 4cyl 2.3l Duratec DOHC engine replaced it in Rangers mid-year 2001

So watch that when getting parts, 2001 was a split year for 4cyl engines in Rangers
So if in doubt have parts store look up 2000 Ranger 2.5l