How many belts are on a Ford Ranger?
Across most of its production, Ford Ranger models rely on a single serpentine belt to drive the engine's accessory components like the alternator, power steering pump, and air conditioner. Some older engines included a separate timing belt inside the engine, which is not the same as the exterior belt, so the total belt count can vary by year and engine.
Belt configurations by engine type
The belt count you’ll see under the hood depends on the Ranger’s engine family and generation. The following describes the common setups you may encounter.
- Serpentine belt (one belt): The single, multi-ribbed serpentine belt is standard on most modern Rangers and powers multiple accessories via a single routed belt.
- Timing belt (engine-internal): Some older four-cylinder Ranger engines used an internal timing belt to coordinate cam timing. This belt is not part of the exterior accessory belt and is replaced as part of engine timing maintenance.
- Timing chain (engine-internal): In some Ranger engines, cam timing is driven by a chain rather than a belt; there is no separate timing belt to inspect or replace for cams in those models.
In practice, the vast majority of current Ranger models use a single serpentine belt. If you’re unsure about your specific vehicle, check the engine code or the belt routing diagram under the hood or consult the owner’s manual for the exact belt count and replacement intervals.
Model-year considerations
Modern Rangers (2019–present)
Current generations with the 2.3L EcoBoost and other modern engines typically use one serpentine belt to drive accessories. Some variants may have additional belt-driven components, but there is generally no separate drive belt for timing in these engines.
Earlier generations (1990s–2000s)
Earlier Ranger engines, depending on the exact model and configuration, sometimes employed a timing belt in addition to the standard accessory belt. If your Ranger is from this era and you’re planning maintenance, verify whether a timing belt is present and schedule belt replacement accordingly. If the engine uses a timing chain, you will not have a timing belt.
How to confirm the exact belt configuration on your Ranger
To be certain about the belt count on your vehicle, use these steps as a quick check:
- Identify your exact model year and engine code from the owner’s manual or the sticker in the engine bay.
- Look at the front of the engine: count the belts visible around the pulleys. A single belt indicates a serpentine setup; multiple belts suggest an older configuration with a timing belt.
- Consult the belt routing diagram under the hood or in the service manual for your engine to confirm which belts are present and their replacement intervals.
In short, most Ford Rangers have one belt in modern configurations; older engines may have a second (timing) belt or, in some cases, a timing chain. Always verify with the exact engine specification for your vehicle.
Summary
- Most Ford Rangers use a single serpentine belt for accessory drives.
- Some older engines used a timing belt in addition to the serpentine belt.
- Others use a timing chain instead of a belt for cam timing, which means no timing belt in those engines.
- Always confirm with your specific vehicle’s engine code and belt diagram to know exactly how many belts it has and when to replace them.
