I just got my hands on the Ford shop manual (3 volume set) for the 2006 Ranger, and it says for the 2.3L engine it's a timing CHAIN, not the timing BELT that I was led to believe needed to be changed around 120k miles.
What's the deal ?

 

The duratec 2.3 came out in 01, it has a timming chain. It replaced the lima 2.3 that has a belt and has been in use since the early 70's.

 

so is there a recommended replacement interval for it or isn't there ?
The shop manual does not list that in the scheduled maint.

 

Just one less thing for you to worry about. I would think it would last the life of the engine, but occasionally timing chains fail just like anything else.

 

They are supposed to last the life of the engine. There is no maintenance schedule for the chains. OF course if that chain breaks or jumps teeth that is the end for that motor they are interference engines.