The 2003 ford ranger comes equipped with a timing chain, rather than a timing belt. this is good news, since they usually last the lifetime of the vehicle - unless something major goes wrong. to give your timing chain the best life possible, make sure to change your oil at the recommended times. use good quality oil and filters, too. you can also make sure that your oil level doesnt drop too low, since this is what keeps the chain lubricated. you should be checking your oil levels once every month or so as routine maintenance to keep your car happy anyway. because checking the oil is extremely easy, its never something you should skip out on. pop the hood, find the dipstick (which is brightly colored and on the right of the engine), pull it out, and make sure the oil is somewhere between the minimum and maximum lines.
The 2003 ford ranger is equipped with a timing chain.
You should plan on changing the timing belt on your 2003 ford ranger engine every 60,000 miles. failing to do so can result in engine damage or even failure should the bet break.