Hi, I am new to this forum. I have a 1996 Ranger XLT, 4cyl, manual, 2wd..145k miles

It looks like the timing belt broke/came off because when I try to start the truck, the belt doesn't turn. Is there a walk through that I could get in order to do this? I am not all that mechanically inclined but I can follow directions. Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

Sounds to me like you need a Chilton's or Haynes manual. These are step-by-step walkthrough's for every part of your truck. Go to any Auto Parts store to pick one up for about $20.

 

ok thanks....i was most likely going to do that...just wanted to see if there was any walk through's online first

my car has a lot of walk through's online so i figured i would give that a try first before i bought the manual...thanks again NFS

 

Well if you're going to be changing your timing belt I can make you a walk-thru for free. However, if you ever decide to do any other maintenance to the truck, a Chilton's or Haynes will be your best friend! Let me know if you'd like a pictorial walk-thru.

 

Thanks for the offer, I did the timing belt today with a lot of help from an ex-mechanic. I bought the chiltons but it was basically useless regarding the timing belt change cause for someone such as me, it was not enough to explain what I had to do, but for the ex mechanic it was also useless cause he knew pretty much what he had to do. Perhaps I didn't get the right chiltons or are they always as vague? Perhaps I am just used to much more explanation than what chilton/haynes/etc offers? The one I have covers 91-99 ranger/explorer/mountaineer.

 

nope, the chiltons tell you what to do, but almost never tell you how to do it.

Haynes manuals aren't much better, but I like the Haynes over the Chiltons.

Best way to learn how to work on your truck or engine: go start tearing stuff apart and putting it back together again. Usually to get one piece off another has to come off before it, its like a big puzzle really. Once you do that 3 or 4 times you can almost do it blindfolded. I can go out right now and have my 2.3T out of my truck in an hour. Have it on the engine stand, and completely stripped in another hour. Then have it mic'd/guaged/honed and rebuilt in 3 more hours. Thats if I worked non stop though.

If you have a few spare dollars, go to a junkyard and buy an engine and take it home to practice tearing it apart and putting it back together, thats the best way to learn this engine, which even though it may not look it, its really a simple setup.

 

thanks...hopefully i'll start to get the hang of things with this truck

 

hi guys...

i am having a problem with the truck after the installation of the timing belt...i tried to follow the marking on the belt cover and it looks right when you look through the peep holes...the truck gives this weird type of idle like it its on and off...like it is surging on and off...when i give it a little gas it will stop for a second them come back...i took the truck for a drive and it feels like its really under powered...its slow in first and really crawls in 2nd gear(with my foot to the floor)...the truck had a hard time starting when we first got it started...we had to keep it cranking to get it to finally turn over(not sure if this is related)..
its a 96 ranger 2wd, 4 cyl, probably the 2.3 engine? any help would be greatly appreciated