I own a 2005 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 5-speed with 150,300 miles on her. I learned about the timing chain rattle awhile ago shortly after I bought this truck (around 132,000). I tried to fix it myself by replacing the 2 timing chain tensioners that I could actually replace, and I switched to synthetic oil which helps with the cold starts. Except now that she has a little more mileage on her, the rattle on starts are getting more noticeable, and any RPM above 2750 with any acceleration makes me cringe at the sound seeing that it is getting worse with age ( I usually keep the RPMS below 2000 as I am a light footed driver). I do love the truck, everything else mechanically wise is good. I just replaced the clutch, master/slave cylinder, and fly wheel not too long ago. My only concern is that I want to lift it, throw bigger tires on her, and take her off-roading. But my biggest concern is that I will put all this money into this truck, then the timing chain will fail ruining the engine.

What are your thoughts? Sell the truck as is and try to get recoup some money for a new vehicle or do you think it's worth rebuilding the engine once it does go?

 

If you do a compression test and it's at 160/170 and the plugs have good colour, then I would pull the engine and do the timing chain(s).
It also depends on the body/frame and how rusty it is, assuming that it is rusty.
If the frame/body/interior is in good shape, the I would repair the timing chain problem.

If the truck is all beat up, then no, I wouldn't put any money into it.

 

Just FYI, once you "hear" the rattle the damage is/was done, new tensioners can help as will synthetic oil but the rear guides were already broken, thats the rattle noise so nothing can repair them except swapping them out.

4.0l SOHC is an interference engine, so valves can hit the pistons, but....................because of the way it is setup it would be a long shot for a cam to get far enough out of time to damage pistons or valves and still run, so you could be stranded, lol, but with no engine damage.

So fairly safe bet to keep driving it, but no guaranties, you are still rolling the dice

2005 Ranger 4.0l SOHCs didn't have the older guides and tensioners so very odd you have this problem.
Could the original engine have been swapped out for an older one?
Very hard to tell if it was.

But with TWO long timing chains this engine has twice the chance of a "normal" timing chain problem.

Why not look for a Ranger that is already lifted, has the larger tires and setup for off-road, you get all those extras at 1/2 price or less, customizing a vehicle is a labor of love, it certainly doesn't add value to it, well not as much as you spend, thats for sure.

But if YOU want to do all those things then fix the timing chains

 

Thank you for your answer!

 

Thank you for your answer!