So im in need of a new vehicle. Been looking around for about two weeks and havent found anything special, mostly overpriceed 98-00 rangers.My friend has an 02 4.0 4x4 with 140k that he is willing to get rid of for $3700. You may think thats alot but believe me when i tell you theyre asking for much more for 3.0 2wds with close to 200kmiles around where i live.

AFAIK the truck needs a little tlc but it runs and drives fine no CELs or anything. Ive rode in it before but never payed attention or never heard the intermitent rattle til now that im considering buying it. Im assuming this is related to the timing chain, and yes ive read the sticky. I dont know if it occurs at startup, he drove it to me warmed up before i randomly asked if i could take it for a spin. I popped open the hood and could hear and intermittent soft rattling kind of noise coming from the front driver side of the engine at idle. It fades in and out randomly. Its not a very loud tick but its definetly noticeable. I

Dont know wether to take the truck,replace the tensioners, and hope for the best. Ive looked at the sticky, replacing the tensioners seems simple enough. It doesnt state on the sticky wether engine removal is needed for the front right cassete. Any other ideas as to what it could be? I wanted to remove the serpentine belt so i can isolate the noise to the engine block itself or the accessories but he said thats kind of out of the question. The only reason hes selling it is because he rarely uses it(has work truck) and ive been asking if it was for sale. Looking for some input.

This is the closest video ive found that sounds similar to what im hearing.
The louder diesel like ticks sound like regular combustion noise from the microphone but if you listen closely you can hear intermittent noise. One thing i found from both the video and what my friend states is that its really noticeable when theyre at drive thrus.

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'00 Ranger, supercab, flareside, 2wd, 3.0, auto, 3.73 open, Bilstein 4600s, 31x10.5x15 BFGs, 15x8 procomp 152s

Mine has the same noise and I have the same 4.0. it's just the timing chain. Since it's in the rear of the motor you can hear it inside the cab. Im sure it's fine mines done that since 2010 and it's an 01 so unless anyone else knows what other noise it could be I'd just forget about it and take up the offer

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The video isnt the particular truck im interested in, just a random video on the web. I think its a pretty sweet deal. Paint and suspension is a little rough but i think the rest of the truck is in okay shape. Hopefully i can do something to massage out the noise. I couldnt really hear the engine rattle when driving on the road but thats because all i could hear were the mudding tires rambling down the road.

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'00 Ranger, supercab, flareside, 2wd, 3.0, auto, 3.73 open, Bilstein 4600s, 31x10.5x15 BFGs, 15x8 procomp 152s

Hey man that's your call.. literally my opinion does not matter

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My 4.0 is in really rough shape, it's been a work truck it's whole life (04 xlt luckily no power options) ac and heat were service and it needs a little tlc as well, but I've been doinelectrical work out of it for about 4 and a half months and haven't done a thing to it yet. Very happy with my purchase ! If that helps your decision at all


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I think that sounds like a great deal! However, I would fix the timing chain - my buddies 02 4.0 went through 2 motors because he just left it alone and it eventually went.

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Baby Girl: 2006 White Ranger XL with many memories. R.I.P. 1/26/15

The timing chain is in the rear of the engine? WTF

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I would explain to the seller that if the chain jumps the engine is toast. Tell him you'll buy the truck if he fixes it OR, deduct a thousand from his price.. The OHC engine drives a cam from the back and one from the front? The engine has to come out to R+R the back chain.

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"94 extended cab.4x4/ V6 pushrod 4.0? /5spd/ 600$ .rat. just bought 6/19/11 I'm a noob , teach me the true path to Ranger gooodness O wise ones.

From what I've gathered ford put one on the rear to 1: space under the hood 2: run the oil pump and keep the same block as the 4.0 OHV to save cost

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