Ford Ranger... wet belt... eco-boom etc

[Aironet]

Hey all

I am in the market for a truck and I really like the Ford Rangers.

I actually had a 2023 leased Wildtrak but its going back as I am looking to purchase one with no mileage restriction.

The biggest thing that puts me off is the "wet belt" (my lease had one, I didn't know this until I got it - so at least this time trying to do some home work on it...) - I really don't want to be worrying about that and for "piece of mind" spending over £1k every 50k to replace it.

For that reason I was specifically looking at the 2016 and upwards 3.2 and 2.2 Rangers that have a chain, but, I also keep getting tempted by the 2019/2020 Raptors which have wet belts. Its really annoying because I'd just go for the Raptor if it wasn't for that reason as I really like it.

Years ago I had 2 x Subaru Impreza STi's, MR2 Turbo etc, now i'm into my trucks and i think the modded (subtle mods only) Rangers look great.

The truck needs to last 5 years at least (maybe 20k a year mileage) and budget would cover a 40-50k mileage 2016 up to 2020 Ranger.

Whats your thoughts?

I am open to other trucks or maybe even an "SUV", but I really like the Rangers, I like subtle mods you can add with the flared arches and the Raptor grill!

Does anyone here have an experienced opinion on the above? the whole wet belt thing is so annoying, because as I say, I would love a Raptor but would be worried about WHEN the engine was going to let go.

Thanks!

[Joe M]

From the sound of it, you should just commit to getting one and having the belt changed at the appropriate times..

[Ed Boon II]

Regular oil changes and you should be perfectly ok, we’ve got a few Transit Customs and never had any wet belt issues, plenty of others, but not belts.

There was a new shape Amarok on a YouTube video I saw the other day, it was circa 12 months old, but was only having its first oil/filter change and the belt looked in terrible condition and the oil was gloopy. It had done 60,000 miles, why would you buy a nice truck like that and not change the oil/filter every 10k.

Everything had FoMoCo stamped on it, you’d never know it was a VW from underneath.

[ZX10R NIN]

Service it every 10k & you'll be fine.

The wet belt is around £700

[valiant]

With the correct oil.

Super important if servicing it away from the dealer network. Wet belts hate poor servicing and the wrong grade oil.

[TheDoggingFather]

A lot of people are saying the Isuzu Dmax are a great truck instead of the Ranger. They certainly look the part to my mind.

[Ed Boon II]

ZX10R NIN said:

Service it every 10k & you'll be fine.

The wet belt is around £700

Pretty sure we pay £1600 at a main dealer, so clearly worth shopping around.

[stevemcs]

Ed Boon II said:

ZX10R NIN said:

Service it every 10k & you'll be fine.

The wet belt is around £700

Pretty sure we pay £1600 at a main dealer, so clearly worth shopping around.

We currently charge £1400 but only use genuine bits, not everyone removes the sump and changes the pick up pipe. We have also seen people reuse the timing belt cover.

The newer stuff has gone back to the older 5w30 oil away from the 0w30 FE oil, over service them and you have a muncher better chance of survival

[Deerfoot]

Ed Boon II said:

ZX10R NIN said:

Service it every 10k & you'll be fine.

The wet belt is around £700

Pretty sure we pay £1600 at a main dealer, so clearly worth shopping around.

The Salisbury Ford dealer quotes £2000 in the local paper for Transit wet belt replacement, not sure if the Ranger is cheaper.

[Aironet]

Thanks for your replies, some really good info in there.

Clearly there is a huge amount of luck (especially buying 2nd hand) as to what state the engine / servicing is in with a used Raptor, plus factoring in approx £2k at 50k miles (immediately on purchase if its not been done, which is most cases) and maybe again at 100k miles, if it lasts that long for the wet belt and the oil pump belt service, plus pulling the sump to check for debris.

Even if its been fairly well cared for, any debris already in there isn't going to get cleaned out completely right? so its just going to build up overtime.

I'm tempted to avoid it altogether now, its a lot of money for a lottery ticket. Its disappointing though as I really fancied one.

Looking at other options, I see I'm virtually in the territory of a brand new Bigster Extreme 4x4 as well, which is really tempting.

Aside from really wanting a truck (and the subtle mods you can throw on it), the main practical reason is to carry mountain bikes into your local national park and the dog as well etc. Basically a vehicle to go exploring whilst taking some kit with it. Another reason I had for the truck was so I could carry a paddle board(s).

Someone mentioned the Isuzu, had a look and to be fair they do look pretty good too!

So I think now my options are:

1. 3.2 Ranger - 2018 ish / 50,000 miles territory
2. 2.2 Ranger - 2020 ish mileage as above
3. Brand new Dacia Bigster 4x4 extreme
4. Isuzu DMax

[ZX10R NIN]

An oil flush every other service is always a good idea for most cars & I'd say essential for a wet belt car.
Negotiate the cost of the change if it hasn't been done off of the price.

The 3.2 is the pick.

The 2.3 Navara is well worth a look as an alternative to the D Max.

[valiant]

The Bigster 4x4 is getting additional engine options by the end of 2026 (the current one is a little lacklustre) which may be worth hanging on for if you’re leaning that way.

[Mr Pointy]

You'd need to be very sure of the service history:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sopzjNaLG0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxXPiO-6YdM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_R_85SaLtI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiL4WWIjdcI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_m_rKtSKjr0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tG2xx2pbRNo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdF-9yYpphQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_wSn5ZLWCc

Verging on Ingenium levels of steness.

[Spuffington]

£2k every 50k miles works out at 4p per mile.

In the grand scheme of things, when you factor in fuel, normal servicing, tyres, insurance, VED, its not the end of the world for the truck you want?

Sure it’s a big hit at the time but I’d wager a tiny proportion of overall running costs.

[macron]

You're making the assumption it gets to each 50k mile interval without considerable additional pain!

The Car Editon's channels have a number of strip downs, well worth a look to put you off bothering at all.

[biggbn]

Job the job. Buy a Toyota.

[Aironet]

I think the Raptor is a no, I'd be buying one with my heart and not my head! I already did that in the past with the MR2 Turbo I used to own

Interesting on the Dacia Bigster getting new engine options, that was my main concern, its a big car and I've driven the 25 plate Duster extreme 4x4, if thats the same engine thats in the Bigster then it might struggle with the extra weight. You get a lot of car for your money though!

I've dropped the Raptor, I would love one but it just looks like one big expensive risk with a really bad engine. I could probably go for it if it had 300-400bhp or something special to warrant the extra servicing pain, but when the novelty wears off - just be a pain in the a**. Thanks for the feedback on that! Everywhere I look I see problems with them.

I've added the 2019 Mitsubishi L200 to the list, particularly like that "super select" option where you can have full time 4WD on the road / anywhere and mods wise they have a lot of support (including racks / cargo options)! really interested in one of these now.

So my list is:

1. L200
2. DMax
3. 3.2 Ranger

Anybody got an opinion on the L200 / 2019 / Series 5?

I really appreciate all of the replies! thanks!

[Ed Boon II]

Personally, I’d be finding a nice VW T6, 150, 6 speed manual and then you can do the bike thing and have a kip in it.

Or a Transit, just avoid the newer wet belt engines if they concern you, I think the 2.2 had a chain and the 2.0 was a belt.

We’ve got an 19 year old Isuzu Rodeo, 172k, driven by multiple drivers, thrashed to death and it’s been bullet proof, not spent a penny apart from routine servicing and consumables.

We’ve also got an old shape Navara, 10 years newer, but similar to the Isuzu in mileage, also been very reliable, no chassis issues.

One of our contractors had a 3.2 Ranger, it died at about 2 years old and 30k, oil pump failure or failure to follow the oil pump prime process, can’t remember which, but Ford were very difficult to deal with and it seemed quite a common fault.

L200, I like the old chunky shape, but not the ‘new’ one, I think these are supposed to be pretty good though as far as reliability and capability are concerned.

[A500leroy]

Is a Mercedes x class in budget?

[ZX10R NIN]

Aironet said:

I think the Raptor is a no, I'd be buying one with my heart and not my head! I already did that in the past with the MR2 Turbo I used to own

Interesting on the Dacia Bigster getting new engine options, that was my main concern, its a big car and I've driven the 25 plate Duster extreme 4x4, if thats the same engine thats in the Bigster then it might struggle with the extra weight. You get a lot of car for your money though!

I've dropped the Raptor, I would love one but it just looks like one big expensive risk with a really bad engine. I could probably go for it if it had 300-400bhp or something special to warrant the extra servicing pain, but when the novelty wears off - just be a pain in the a**. Thanks for the feedback on that! Everywhere I look I see problems with them.

I've added the 2019 Mitsubishi L200 to the list, particularly like that "super select" option where you can have full time 4WD on the road / anywhere and mods wise they have a lot of support (including racks / cargo options)! really interested in one of these now.

So my list is:

1. L200
2. DMax
3. 3.2 Ranger

Anybody got an opinion on the L200 / 2019 / Series 5?

I really appreciate all of the replies! thanks!

Not sure what your budget is but the 3.0d X Class could be a very good option:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202512088...