Hello! I'm new to the forum, got a ranger the other day after hearing about them and seeing them going like tanks past my place lol
anyway it's a 03 fx4 level 2, 4.0l auto 4x4 with 239000km on it. Rides great, handles good but she needs a good tune up. I know one sensor on the intake is bad it don't like to idle but other than that it seems to work great (for being 19 years old)
I've never owned a ford, was mostly a gm guy until the junkyard ran out of trannys haha
What I want to know is this, what are the rangers weak points? Whats should I be replacing/checking besides the usual filters and fluids? I like the little beast and I'm not 100% nice to my vehicles so tell me what I should do first to make it last and perform like a ranger should. All replies welcome:)

 

Welcome to the forum

2003 Ranger will have a 4.0l SOHC engine, used 2001-2011 in Rangers
(1990-2000 Rangers used 4.0l OHV engines, different engine, same displacement)
Automatic will be a 5R55E model, 4WD version, with a BW1354e Transfer case, "e" is for electric shift

The 4.0l SOHC engines have 2 long timing chains that should have the tensioners replaced every 100k miles OR as soon as you get one used, lol
Not hard to replace these, rear passenger side takes maybe 30min, front drivers side 60min
If the rear tensioner fails the engine must be pull out to replace the now broken chain guides, so you don't want that to happen, lol, makes a Rattling noise, called "the death rattle"

5R55E, like all automatics needs to be serviced, i.e. filter and fluid changed

Ranger 4x4's, 2001-2011, have "Live Axle" this just means the front hubs/wheels are bolted to the front axles, so always locked, 4WD is when transfer case is shifted to 4high or 4low

Article here on Level II trims: https://www.therangerstation.com/art...-by-the-years/

You can get your 2003 Owners Manual here: https://www.ranger-forums.com/genera...1-models-3747/

Nothing really specifically bad to watch out for on a 2003 Ranger

The 4.0l SOHC engine did use a plastic thermostat housing, and it was known to crack and leak, not common just "known", there is now a metal version if that should happen on yours

 

Thanks for the reply, you obviously know your stuff and didn't have to Google it like most. I've always been a wrencher so I know my cars and part numbers, I'm in the middle of changing trans fluid and filter, some idiot put the pan on with silicone most of the fluid leaked out, I just spent an hour scraping it clean and getting the way over torqued bolts out of it now to put it back in. Definitely be replacing the chains like you said I had an old Cadillac I had to replace the chain on this ranger should be a piece of cake lol
I tell you though, no chev could run that low on fluid without shittin the bed. I've had my fill on gm products.
Thanks again! Best wishes