My dad's old Ranger that I have recently inherited. Got a few dings and dents and has been sitting almost two years. Now for the task of getting her back on the road.

 

Welcome to the forum

Sorry to read about your loss

2001 Ranger 4x4 Off Road will have a V6 engine, 3.0l Vulcan or a 4.0l SOHC
If 4.0l SOHC then you should change the 2 timing chain tensioners sooner than later, not a big job to do it now, maybe an hour, vs having to pull out the engine to replace timing chains later

It will have a 5R44E(3.0l) or 5R55E(4.0l) Automatic transmission
Or an M5OD-R1(M5R1) Manual transmission

A Borg Warner 1354 Transfer case, BW1354

 

RonD, Thank you for the kind words, the Forum welcome and the very useful info!
My dad got this truck as a more comfortable truck to use during his retirement. He spent a few decades doing tree work and went through a few F-250's that were bareboned badass work trucks.
It does have the 4.0 and 83,000 on the clock. I appreciate the insight on the tensioners. The fuel filter was the last thing he had replaced about two years ago before it sat. The rear drums were redone around this time too.
From what I understand, the front brakes are bad. The engine sputters, so I am replacing the fuel filter and coil packs. When they took off the bed for the fuel pump, the front two bed bolts were basically rusted away, so I'll be searching for replacements for those. Of course I'll be draining all the fluids including the fuel. She'll have a 700 mile jog to get to her new home so I'll have to get a few things right lol.
Any more advice on what to checking and looking for i would certainly appreciate. Thanks all.

 

I would just change the spark plugs, or clean them, coil packs can crack and fail but not the top of the list
4.0l SOHC just has 1 coil pack with 3 coils inside, 2 cylinders spark at the same time, called a Waste Spark system

O2 sensors are the only sensors that have a mile or time limit, 100k miles or 12 years, which ever comes first

Clean the MAF sensor, easy to do, can cause rough running when dirty, and after sitting for a few years...............

LMC Truck has the bed bolts and many other Ranger body parts and fasteners
Local Auto parts stores should as well, these were common to need replacing, usually comes in a Kit of 6 bolts and "u-nuts"(clips that go on the frame under the bed)
The two front bolts are longer than the 4 rear ones, just FYI

4.0l SOHC is rated at 207HP(on premium gasoline, lol) which is only slightly less than the 5.0l OHV V8 at 215HP

The 1997-2003 4.0l SOHC had a problem with the original tensioners design, the spring inside that holds the chain tight, when there is no oil pressure, can loosen up, and that allowed the chain to BANG in its Guide on start up, until oil pressure was high enough
Over time the Guide would break, and owners would then hear a rattle after that happen(damage is done), when engine was running
Ford chalked it up to lack of oil changes by the owners...................like any car maker does FIRST, lol
But soon there were enough Dealers who were seeing this on their customers 4.0l SOHC engines, which the Dealers had been servicing on schedule
The cause was found to be the two long chain tensioner's internal springs, so Ford did a redesign which was first used in 2002 engine assembly plants so "most" 2003's should have the new design but to be on the safe side 2004 and up would for sure have it

But thats not the end of the story.................
While the "rattle" became way way less of an issue, it could still happen just because of the long timing chains used
So it is recommended to change the two tensioners every 100k miles just as general maintenance, OR whenever you get a vehicle with a 4.0l SOHC engine if there is no record of when the two tensioners were last changed.

As said the down side is having to pull out the engine to repair broke chain guides, so pretty far down, lol
And there is no warning, when you hear "the rattle" damage is done, guide is broken

 

It would help if I had the right year, it's a 2000. The front marker lights should have given me a clue. Had bad information. Anyhow, got repairs going on, will be in Fl this weekend. For the trip, I hope Dad got the tensioners updated, no receipts or paperwork are here. I'll get them updated when it is back. Thanks for all the info and if there is any other pertinent information on a 2000, please let me know. Thanks and have a happy and safe 2022.

 

A 2000 should have the 4.0 OHV (overhead valve) , the OHV valve didn't have the tensioner issues that the 2001 4.0 SOHC (single overhead cam) did

 

Sorry for your loss. I think it's great you're getting your Dads truck...I'd imagine there's no one else he'd rather have it. Looks like he took really good care of it for you. Hope it made it to Florida safely.

 

Thank you for your kind words. This is Pops last truck.. To me it's part of his Legacy. Made it to Florida ok. Developed a miss that was internment. Be acting up, turn it off for a bit, runs fine... ?
Needed some front end work, tires (dry rotted) new serpentine belt, plugs, cleaned MAF and air filter.
Bought a same color tailgate off of marketplace for $100. Pops was damaged pretty good. Between the handle, two mechanisms, plastic pieces and rods, I got one good functioning unit.
It's going to be a work in progress but it reminds me of him and the trips we took in it, every time I get in it.

 

Happy the Ranger made it home safely. Great score on the tailgate! Sounds like you have a nice plan for keeping it on the road for a long time...cherish those memories, both new and old. Thanks for the update!