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