Greetings,

I'm trying to change the oil in my 2000 Ranger 3.0L.. I'm laying under the truck, and can't for the life of me find the drain plug...
Where did Ford place this mystery piece???

Any help would be appreciated...

 

Welcome to FTE!

Looks like you stumped everyone with your question.

 

Well, when I can't find stuff, I go to the source. First I look for the oil pan, which usually on cars and trucks is on the botton(except dry sumps). Anyway, with a lot of cars, the plug is set towards the back of the pan, and usually on an angle. Then you have your bigger engines which stick it right in the middle. But maybe there is a cover over your pan, and maybe its molded to the oil pan. I can't be sure, but I've heard of things like it. So do a S&R mission, and find that plug! Or call the dealer and ask them, for a friend

 

I have a 2000 ford ranger 3.0 also. The drain plug for the oil is in the back side of the oil pan. If you are looking in from the front of the truck you will not be able to see it. You have to get on a creeper or on your back and slide to the back of the motor.

 

ditto Celly140... its on the back side of the oil pan, i usually just crawl under behind the drivers side wheel and it is relitively easy to reach, the real trick is getting your hands on the filter which Ford in their infinate wisdom put just above the starter....

 

Just like small cars, like the Focus and VW's.....

 

Speaking of wisdom.. . .
I changed the oil in my '00 XLT Sport 4x4 3.0 yesterday, and to my surprise, under the oil filter is a 'funnel' and tube, to allow the oil escaping from the oil filter flange to be carried away from being 'splattered' all over the block, the starter, the front differential and the front driveshaft!
Good job, Ford!!!
(Daggone. I wish I had thought of that!!!!!!!!!!)

BTW. . . I bought my truck 1 month ago. It has 61,500 miles on it.

"Ford Has a Better Idea."

 

I hear ya BlueOval, mine used to have the funnel, but after about the 6th or 7th oil change it broke off.... really it just is in the way.

 

We were working on a Cutlass Supreme a couple days ago, an 80's one. Oil plug snapped off when we went to take it off. It's rust-welded itself the pan. So the car is crap. Like all GM's.

 

My 2000 3.0 has the little funnel too. It's a great idea but it is really made a little too wimpy . I also can't believe how hard it is to remove the old filter without spilling oil all over the place. That pesky steering wheel shaft is right in the wrong place . But i'm not complaining, I still love my 3.0!