Could be a lifter or an exhaust leak on the manifold among hundreds of other things.
battery is dead
Oil slow getting to the head
have your valves adjusted adjust your valves
Check battery and starter.
You should have an auto mechanic check the car or take to the Ford dealership.
Normally this is a fualty air flow regulator.
It's a rocker arm tapping at valve stem. Hydraulic lifters (hydraulic rocker mounts) are the common reason for the ticking. If it doesn't go away when the engine heats up, consider replacing the lifter where the ticking comes from.
Could be a bad turn signal flasher
ticking noise when the gas pedal is pressed in a 2005 ford ranger
Take it to a professional and have the valve lash adjusted. Also replace the spark plugs.
the 4.0 in my rangers ticking loud worse on the drivers side has 150,000 on it
more than likely the tensioner