At what point should be replaced? Is this like a maintenance item? About to click 105k. I don't believe it's having any problems, but the part only being $40 or so, should I go ahead and replace it for preventive purposes? Or wait till I hear the " chirp " and " squeak " ??

The Dark Edge Rises! - 02 Edge 4X4 3.0L

I replaced the camshaft synch. and cam position sensor at 120K on my 2000 Ranger V6 3.0 FF due to published concerns I had heard about them. I had not received any codes or noises etc on my truck. I found them both to be in good shape when I removed them to replace them recently. However, others have had problems with them. You should use only motor-craft replacement parts and they will run about $100.00 to 175.00 [I paid $109.99] for the Camshaft Synth and about $40.00-75.00 [I paid $40.00] for the Camshaft Position Sensor depending on the year and model of your Ranger and where you purchase them. I found them cheaper by doing a lot of searching on E-bay. There is a lot of competition there on these parts so you can find a good deal with shipping included if you look hard enough.

the recommended mileage is 80k. I agree with Buffalojoe about only using the motorcraft brand........I am partial to rockauto. they are $95. I have never swapped one out but there is a nice video on youtube....the guy just took a picture of the syncro before he removed it and made sure he put it back in the same spot.

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2004 Ext Cab, 4WD, 4.0, Auto, 154k. (4.0 engine is out of a 2009 Ranger w/96k) ( as of 7/1/2017)

2004 Ranger, Ext Cab, 2WD, 3.0, 5 speed , 4WABS, crank windows, no cruise, Edge 116k.(6/5,2014) (SOLD).
1999 Ford Ranger, Reg Cab, 2.5, 5 speed, 2WD, no AC, 150k (SOLD).

I see I see. Same with me, I have no problems or codes whatsoever. I'm going on a trip in October and just want to be ready. Should I replace the sensor as well? Or just the synchro for now??

The Dark Edge Rises! - 02 Edge 4X4 3.0L

I don't think you need to change out the sensor. The only reason you are changing the syncro is because if it goes out your truck will seize in about 7 seconds....

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2004 Ext Cab, 4WD, 4.0, Auto, 154k. (4.0 engine is out of a 2009 Ranger w/96k) ( as of 7/1/2017)

2004 Ranger, Ext Cab, 2WD, 3.0, 5 speed , 4WABS, crank windows, no cruise, Edge 116k.(6/5,2014) (SOLD).
1999 Ford Ranger, Reg Cab, 2.5, 5 speed, 2WD, no AC, 150k (SOLD).

Ok $157 from ford $40 from autozone. Autozones is remanufactured. I know the manager and he said he's never heard of or seen one fail.

The Dark Edge Rises! - 02 Edge 4X4 3.0L

I am just repeating myself, but, the Motorcraft part from rockauto for $95 shipped(use 5% discount code) is the exact same part that Ford has for $157. So you are really comparing $95 v $40. On that particular part I would go with the MC, but everyone's situation is different. Do what you have to do?

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2004 Ext Cab, 4WD, 4.0, Auto, 154k. (4.0 engine is out of a 2009 Ranger w/96k) ( as of 7/1/2017)

2004 Ranger, Ext Cab, 2WD, 3.0, 5 speed , 4WABS, crank windows, no cruise, Edge 116k.(6/5,2014) (SOLD).
1999 Ford Ranger, Reg Cab, 2.5, 5 speed, 2WD, no AC, 150k (SOLD).

Well I can afford both. But y send double if the later is just as good??

The Dark Edge Rises! - 02 Edge 4X4 3.0L

The Dorman product will fail faster than the Motorcraft. This isn't a part to cheap out on. If it fails you risk fatal damage to the motor. I changed mine at 75k and plan to change it again at 150k.

Search for reviews on the Dorman part.

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Current - 2005 Toyota Tundra 4.7 v8 4x4 | Stockish
SOLD - 2004 Edge 3.0 Auto | Lifted w/ 31's and stuff...

Gotcha. That's all I needed to know.

The Dark Edge Rises! - 02 Edge 4X4 3.0L

Rockauto.com - $94.99 + $7 shipping.

The Dark Edge Rises! - 02 Edge 4X4 3.0L

with rockauto you get a 5% discount.........you plug the code in the "how did you hear about us" box when you are at your shopping cart....it usually just about offsets the shipping cost on a lot of smaller items.........here is a code I have had for a few months . if it does not work just search the net for a different one. 95598617872373

anytime you are dealing with a part that is tough to get at or is vital to your truck just get the MC.

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2004 Ext Cab, 4WD, 4.0, Auto, 154k. (4.0 engine is out of a 2009 Ranger w/96k) ( as of 7/1/2017)

2004 Ranger, Ext Cab, 2WD, 3.0, 5 speed , 4WABS, crank windows, no cruise, Edge 116k.(6/5,2014) (SOLD).
1999 Ford Ranger, Reg Cab, 2.5, 5 speed, 2WD, no AC, 150k (SOLD).

This happened to my motor. Id strongly consider replacing this part regularly if you are looking for reliability out of your motor

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~50 thru a residential neighborhood~ What were those people yelling?? Response: I dunno, I was going to fast to hear them

Do you have to drain and change the oil when replacing this?
my new motor has about 60K on it, so i am setting some money aside to buy a new synchronizer.

Is it hard to get to in the back of the motor?

And that video, is pretty useless, it doesnt show him doing any of the work..... lol

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1999 Ranger 3.0FFV-ExtCab-4x4-My 99 Build
1998 Ranger 3.0-ExtCab-4x4-PROJECT TRUCK-My 98 Build

I did not have part I of his video bookmarked. Go to youtube and find them. In part I he shows you how to remove it. I assume he figured you could figure out how to put it back. The reason I like his method is because he just takes a picture of the cam syncro alignment and has you reinstall it in the same position. The manual and all the "experts" have you finding TDC etc.......it's pretty easy to access the snycro.

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2004 Ext Cab, 4WD, 4.0, Auto, 154k. (4.0 engine is out of a 2009 Ranger w/96k) ( as of 7/1/2017)

2004 Ranger, Ext Cab, 2WD, 3.0, 5 speed , 4WABS, crank windows, no cruise, Edge 116k.(6/5,2014) (SOLD).
1999 Ford Ranger, Reg Cab, 2.5, 5 speed, 2WD, no AC, 150k (SOLD).