Wanted: Ford Ranger

[willowbank]

Guys, in need of a few pointers.....

Planning to sell the Defender and get a Ranger with an auto box, I’m in need of 4 doors + pickup back and the Ranger floats my boat.

SO.... what should I be looking out for in the way of common faults, thinking I should go for small engine.

Thanks for your time...

Willowbank.

 

[HonestJohn]

Hang on. You want to replace an unreliable defender with a Ranger?

 

[Malxwal]

Electricals, unprotected waiting harness along chassis to rear. Issues with AdBlue system. 10spd gearbox issues.

 

[The Singing Stalker]

Stay clear of the 2 litre wet belt. If you did decide to get one then ignore the recommended oil change timescales and do it every 6 to 8 thousand miles. To be fair, this applies, (IMHO) to all motors. Also, look to change the wet belt by 100,000 miles. If you do that you would reduce your chances of catastrophic engine failure by a lot.

The 3.2 seems to be the better motor. For longevity.

Take note of the oil change procedure. You have 10 minutes max as the pump does not self prime.

 

[r judd]

Electricals, unprotected waiting harness along chassis to rear. Issues with AdBlue system. 10spd gearbox issues.

This

 

[FISH BOY]

As above, go pre 2020 with the 3.2 chain driven 6 speed.

Due to regular cold starts, get mine serviced every year rather than the 2 year or 20k service schedule.

Had it 6 years (40k miles) with no issues.

They do get over emphasised bad press for reliably - I would suggest that part of it is down to the fact that Rangers have had a European 45% market share of the 4x4 pickup market for years - simply tons more of them on the road than anything else.

 

[Stevie/P]

I think next to BASC bashing on SD Ranger bashing comes a close second mainly by people that have never owned one
Source: Auto Express
Pick-up of the Year 2025: Ford Ranger | Auto Express

 

[arron]

I have 2019 3.2 auto ,, oil changed regularly, hasnt been a problem at all , its a great truck in my opinion previously had 2 hilux , a navara and an Isuzu , this is the my favourite , done about 80000 miles

 

[Tim.243]

I think next to BASC bashing on SD Ranger bashing comes a close second mainly by people that have never owned one
Source: Auto Express
Pick-up of the Year 2025: Ford Ranger | Auto Express

Cam Chain........
Wet Belt.............££££££££££$$$$$$$$$$$$$

 

[Stevie/P]

Wet Belt.............££££££££££$$$$$$$$$$$$$

3 hours to change wet belt £700 all in independent… every 6 Yers provided probably maintained chains still need replacing at 100,000
Everything has a price.
But I take your point regarding wet belts

 

[Tim.243]

3 hours to change wet belt £700 all in independent… every 6 Yers provided probably maintained chains still need replacing at 100,000
Everything has a price.
But I take your point regarding wet belts

 

[sauer]

I've a 2015 ranger 3.2 auto can't fault it

I had a 2017 sangyong musso 2017 2.2 auto till got rear ended couldnt fault that either

Narvara,s. Split in half
Hilux's now recalled for new chassis
L200. were known for head gaskets

Point is mention a brand / model you'll get someone going with a horror story

Paul

 

[Tim.243]

I've a 2015 ranger 3.2 auto can't fault it

I had a 2017 sangyong musso 2017 2.2 auto till got rear ended couldnt fault that either

Narvara,s. Split in half
Hilux's now recalled for new chassis
L200. were known for head gaskets

Point is mention a brand / model you'll get someone going with a horror story

Paul

D-Max has a cam chain which was not on your list.

 

[andyk]

I may be biased as mine has just died, but be wary of the 2.2 and 3.2s, both use an oil pump that stands a reasonable chance of failing as you approach 100,000 miles.

Mine hit 90,000 miles and went - it’s now scrap or engine refurb.

It’s otherwise been a good truck, drives nicely and doesn’t feel too agricultural.

If you’re going to get one, I’d seriously consider having the oil pump swapped soon after buying for either a geared aftermarket version or a brand new, OE, one - and then be ready to swap it every 50k or so. I’d also not scrimp on oil changes.

If doing to oil changes yourself, that oil pump can’t self prime and will ruin itself if you try to make it (or, at least, that’s what said) so oil changes should be completed within 10 minutes to stop the pump draining completely.

 

[Greenmist]

Had a V6 raptor, poor load area, tacky interior, terrible mileage, ridiculous amount of warning beeps. On the plus side the reversing and towing cameras were great, I'd be looking for a more basic isuzu if its for work (and I wasn't a fan of the gear box in that)

 

[willowbank]

D-Max has a cam chain which was not on your list.

Hi that’s cos I didn’t know about it....

WB

 

[imnotrucknut]

My next truck will be an isuzu

 

[Tim.243]

I've a 2015 ranger 3.2 auto can't fault it

I had a 2017 sangyong musso 2017 2.2 auto till got rear ended couldnt fault that either

Narvara,s. Split in half
Hilux's now recalled for new chassis
L200. were known for head gaskets

Point is mention a brand / model you'll get someone going with a horror story

Paul

Ford's wet belt, found in some EcoBoost engines, has a history of premature failure, with real-world experiences often showing failures well before the manufacturer's recommended replacement intervals. While official schedules suggest 100,000 miles or 10 years, many instances of failure occur between 60,000 and 100,000 miles, and even as low as 30,000 miles in some cases. Factors like oil degradation, heat, friction, and inadequate maintenance contribute to this issue

 

[Andyquadra]

Ford's wet belt, found in some EcoBoost engines, has a history of premature failure, with real-world experiences often showing failures well before the manufacturer's recommended replacement intervals. While official schedules suggest 100,000 miles or 10 years, many instances of failure occur between 60,000 and 100,000 miles, and even as low as 30,000 miles in some cases. Factors like oil degradation, heat, friction, and inadequate maintenance contribute to this issue

I've been watching car edition on YouTube, wet belts are one of their common ones

 

[Stevie/P]

I've been watching car edition on YouTube, wet belts are one of their common ones

As the man says get it serviced!
I bought a new one last year it will have new Oli and filter including air filter for the sake of the Turbo every year or 6000 miles which ever comes first.
DONT USE ANY OLD OIL.
Castrol Magnatec 5W-30