Just picked up a 2008 Ranger XL - Automatic 5-speed, Regular Cab. Has about 47k miles. Very clean and runs well. A co-worker has a 2002 Ranger and says he only fixes his truck when it 'breaks' other than regular oil and filter changes. I've always stuck with the regular maintenance intervals, taken my cars to the dealer and my cars seem to be better for it. I'm interested how others view this. Do you take your Ranger in every 7500 miles?

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2008 Ford Ranger XL 5-Speed Automatic Stock Options

Ive never taken mine in to the stealership...ive done all routine maintenance myself except for a few big jobs, but those big jobs didnt happen until after it was out of warranty so this truk has never touched a dealership service floor

Never taken mine to dealership or oil change place. i do all the work on it my self.

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Thanks for the posts. You're lucky to be able to do the work yourselves. I'd save a bunch of $$$$ if I could do the same.

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2008 Ford Ranger XL 5-Speed Automatic Stock Options

Why can't you? Oil and filter changes is the majority of servicing needed and it only takes about 20 minutes once you figure out where everything is at.

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2003 Ford Ranger FX4
4.0L SOHC V6 Auto 4x4
K&N Performance Air Filter
Bosch IR Iridium Fusion Spark Plugs

Spark plugs
Fuel Filter
Air Filter
Brakes

Those all can be added to the do it your self list. Easy to do and can save a lot of money doing it your self.

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I can do the oil, filters and even give the brakes a try. I'm thinking more along the lines of tire rotations, transaxle fluid changes, and checking any steering linkage / front-end stuff. Does anyone do these themselves?

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2008 Ford Ranger XL 5-Speed Automatic Stock Options

You can do all those you mentioned your self.

I like to pretend I am on a NASCAR pit crew when rotating the tires.

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Tire rotation is easy and I just changed my rear transaxle fluid and it is cake. Just bought my ranger so I'm doing all the maintenance now since I have no idea what has been done to it. So far I've changed the oil, spark plugs, rear transaxle fluid, front and rear brakes, coolant, air filter, pcv valve, and drained some transmission fluid (fluid was good but was over filled). I still have to change the front transaxle fluid, replace the fuel filter, grease my chasis and emergency brake line, and now find out where my coolant leak is coming from along with other general parts cleaning.

I've always changed the oil on my wife's and my cars along with disk brakes, but have never had a vehicle with enough miles to do the rest. It takes a bit of time when you are first doing it, but it's not hard. My wife's Toyota Solara is approaching 100k now so I will be doing a lot of the same work on her car and it should take me a lot less time.

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2003 Ford Ranger FX4
4.0L SOHC V6 Auto 4x4
K&N Performance Air Filter
Bosch IR Iridium Fusion Spark Plugs

Buy yourself a Haynes/Chiltons for VERY limited general stuff, use FRF for tech, and do all this stuff on the weekends. I'm by no means a mechanic, but with the help of these guys there is no job on my Ranger I'd be too scared to tackle. Maybe other than the TC on my 4.0 (eeeekkkk).

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'02 XLT ext. cab 4.0 4x4 Off Road
Usual mods
Unusual color
Only a real man can pimp DWB

Yes i follow the suggested service manual. But I do most things before they say it's due.
Most I do myself but if you feel more comfortable paying someone else to do some stuff. I see nothing wrong with it.
Its always better to do preventative maintenance then just waiting untill it let's you down when you need it.
What's the saying? An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

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www.1fun4rd.blogspot.com