Hello, new here. 2003 2.3 XL with 86,600 miles. Just trying to work out a few bugs.

 

Welcome to the forum

2003 will have the Duratec DOHC 2.3l engine, Mazda L engine

1983 to 1997 Rangers had the 2.3l SOHC Lima engines, which were totally different in every respect except displacement, lol

So just a heads up if you Google: Ranger 2.3l
You WILL get conflicting results

Your 2003 2.3l Duratec is also different than the 2004-2011 Ranger 2.3l Duratecs
In 2001-2003 the Ranger 2.3l had an electric thermostat and IMRC(intake manifold runner control), both were dropped in 2004 model year, because of problems

The electric thermostat was expensive and not needed so it was just dropped, but the computer monitors it so..................you need to use one or add a resistor to the heater wire to mimic the connection and use the cheaper non-heated thermostat

The IMRC vacuum lines would crack and leak, you will get codes for that and engine will run poorly at some RPMs

You can get 2003 PDF owners manual from here: https://www.ranger-forums.com/genera...1-models-3747/

 

Welcome aboard! Hopefully, we can steer you in the right direction no matter what you choose, or don't choose, to do!