Which 4.0 & trans will serve me best?

[krikf]

Hi folks,

I'm looking for some solid info for helping me make a 4.0 decision. I currently have a '94 3.0 Extended cab with Auto trans. I've had the truck for 6-8 years, second owner, now with 94K miles and it has been a GREAT truck. Problem is it doesn't have quite enough HP/Torque to pull the 2100 lb pop-up everywhere I want to go. I live in Mid-NC and it does pretty good going to the beach but doesn't handle the mountains well at all. A couple of Ford mechanics that I know & trust warned me that the AT trans in this series is really light weight and will over heat easily. I have over heated it in the NC mountains twice already. Once before and once after adding an additional trans cooler.

Here's the insight I need. I want to trade (or sell/buy) a Ranger with the 4.0 but finances may only allow a pre-2001 model. It seems that folks on here are getting good service and mileage from the 4.0 OHV engine. I've also heard that it was really designed as a better low rpm torque engine than the newer 4.0 SOHC. However according to the specs it does have on average 40 less HP and 20 less lb/ft of torque.

Will the pre-2001 4.0 OHV hold up as well in the long run? (I only tow to the mountains 3-4 times per year.)

Also, how about the Auto trans? Is the pre-2001 unit as strong?

Would really appreciate some solid input on this.

Thanks.

[Downey]

get new gears

[krikf]

Hi folks,

I'm looking for some solid info for helping me make a 4.0 decision. I currently have a '94 3.0 Extended cab with Auto trans. I've had the truck for 6-8 years, second owner, now with 94K miles and it has been a GREAT truck. Problem is it doesn't have quite enough HP/Torque to pull the 2100 lb pop-up everywhere I want to go. I live in Mid-NC and it does pretty good going to the beach but doesn't handle the mountains well at all. A couple of Ford mechanics that I know & trust warned me that the AT trans in this series is really light weight and will over heat easily. I have over heated it in the NC mountains twice already. Once before and once after adding an additional trans cooler.

Here's the insight I need. I want to trade (or sell/buy) a Ranger with the 4.0 but finances may only allow a pre-2001 model. It seems that folks on here are getting good service and mileage from the 4.0 OHV engine. I've also heard that it was really designed as a better low rpm torque engine than the newer 4.0 SOHC. However according to the specs it does have on average 40 less HP and 20 less lb/ft of torque.

Will the pre-2001 4.0 OHV hold up as well in the long run? (I only tow to the mountains 3-4 times per year.)

Also, how about the Auto trans? Is the pre-2001 unit as strong?

Would really appreciate some solid input on this.

Thanks.

[Big Jim M]

I've got one of each A 3.0 and a SOHC 4.0. Both have 30" tires and 4:11 gears. I wouldn't TOW a trailer with either of them.
If I had a trailer to tow I'd first change the gearing as said above. The little guys just aren't built to do the heavy lifting.
I'd think either would do about as good as the other by swapping in the proper gears for the amount of weight to be towed.
Big JIm

[Downey]

the new rangers with a 4.0 and 4.10s are rated up to 5760 lbs for towing stop acting like towing with a ranger is like towing with a 4cyl car. i tow easly 5k with my truck when i do a cord of wood. and i have 31s and 3.73s and a 5 speed. keep your 3.0 and put in some 4.10s or 4.56s and call it good.

[Downey]

you only need one thread

[02RangerXLT]

you only need one thread

Way to be of assistance!

According to Ford's specs in the manual, I think you can "technically" haul more with the Auto trans... what is your specific budget? You can find lots of post '01 models for the same price as pre-'01 models.

[Downey]

Way to be of assistance!

According to Ford's specs in the manual, I think you can "technically" haul more with the Auto trans... what is your specific budget? You can find lots of post '01 models for the same price as pre-'01 models.

I was in this first thread

http://therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=72932

[wahlstrom1]

I'd look to a manual as it'll be more reliable when towing, and the actual tow ratings are in place to save the clutch for those that can't drive a stick....

The 4.0L is powerful enough, but when your looking for a truck what you should also be looking for is the gear ratio. Look for one equipped with 3.73/4.10's as they were available with high ratios like 3.55/3.27 which really have no place in a truck.

[krikf]

Yes, you are very correct Wahlstrom1, the rear gear is one of the big factors.

Also 02RangerXLT, my budget might just get me in the 2001 range but the reading I've done on these boards has scared me away from the '01 and '02 models for now because of the timing/cam chain issues.

How about the reliability and comparison of the two engines?

Thanks.

[02RangerXLT]

Also 02RangerXLT, my budget might just get me in the 2001 range but the reading I've done on these boards has scared me away from the '01 and '02 models for now because of the timing/cam chain issues.

Ah, i gotcha now.

As far as reliability goes, I am not sure, I've only had the 3.0 and 4.0 SOHC. But my SOHC has been running good, and theres lots of people on the board who've had both 4.0's and have had nothing but great things to say.

Honestly, I think that whichever engine you end up with should be a great choice either way.

[krikf]

My '94 3.0 has factory installed 355 gears, which isn't too bad but a couple of the camp grounds we like in the mountains go from about 2500 ft elevation to 6000 ft elevation in just 15 miles or so. As mentioned, I've already over heated the trans once even after I added an additional trans cooler. Apparently the stock automatic is pretty light weight.

[Downey]

dude get 4.10 gears and you will be much happier what size tire are you running?

[Sevensecondsuv]

Your are correct, towing in the mountains with an auto is a very easy way to cook the trans.

The OHV 4.0 is pretty much a more reliable version of the SOHC 4.0 that lacks the extra 2000 RPM power range of the SOHC. They have roughly the same power curve from 0-3500 RPM. The OHV is done by 4000 RPM while the SOHC keeps pulling close to 6000 RPM. That's really the only difference, and it only matters if you're planning on running in the 4000-6000 RPM range. The OHV is more reliable because it doesn't have the problematic timing chain tensioner setup that the SOHC has.

I would get an OHV 4.0 with a manual trans (much less prone to overheating than the auto) and 3.73 or 4.10 gears. Don't go any higher than 4.10 because it'll ruin your highway gas mileage.

Putting 4.10s in the 3.0 truck might help, but the 4.0 is simply much better for towing things with.

If you really want an auto, I'd order a huge (think something like 1 foot x 2 feet) aftermarket trans cooler from summitracing.com or equivalent. That would give your auto trans a fighting chance.

[Downey]

I would get an OHV 4.0 with a manual trans (much less prone to overheating than the auto) and 3.73 or 4.10 gears. Don't go any higher than 4.10 because it'll ruin your highway gas mileage.

haha do you have a manual ranger? if not dont pass out the advice about the manual trannys they are not built for towing. im lucky i havent killed mine yet. but the ranger auto tranny is much better for towing. get new gear you already have the tranny cool. with new gears your tranny will stay cooler on the long up hills.

[wahlstrom1]

haha do you have a manual ranger? if not dont pass out the advice about the manual trannys they are not built for towing. im lucky i havent killed mine yet. but the ranger auto tranny is much better for towing. get new gear you already have the tranny cool. with new gears your tranny will stay cooler on the long up hills.

The manuals are more reliable then the auto's, maybe you shouldn't be passing out the advice.....:annoyed:. The 3.0L even with 4.56 gear's won't have the pulling power of the 4.0L with 4.10's, and he's already overheated the tranny again with the extra cooler installed.

[HareRazor]

I used to have an auto trans in my 91 Ranger with a 3.0 and 3.27 gears, and I have swapped to a standard. I pulled with both and I would definitely recommend the standard over the a4ld any day as when I am pulling something now I don't have to worry about my transmission getting cooked, start slipping and leaving me stranded. The only thing that is killing me now is the 3.27 gears on take offs, but my truck is only 2wd and I have the stock 215/70/14 tires.

[Sevensecondsuv]

haha do you have a manual ranger?

Yes. 2 actually. One happens to be the 4.0 OHV 5-spd combination I was recommending. Yes, I've actually towed with it. Pretty extensively too. Maybe you should at least read someone's signature before making personal attacks :icon_idea:

Some of the larger loads I've towed with it include a 6x12 enclosed trailer full of junk and a 7'x16' twin axle car hauler with 4000 lbs on it.

All this with a 4.0 and M5OD that has 185,000 miles on it and still works flawlessly! :icon_twisted:

My other ranger has 265,000 miles on its M5OD that still works perfectly fine, even though the last 15,000 miles have been with the abusive 270 HP turbo engine in front of it.

I have about 200,000 miles of experience (not to be confused with 200,000 miles on one truck starting at new) with M5OD's across 3 different trucks. I've replaced clutches on them. I've modified the engines in front of them. I've towed some pretty large trailers with them. I've said it before and I'll say it again: There are only two ways to break an M5OD: one is dump the clutch at 5000 RPMs, the other is run it out of oil.

On the other hand, I've seen the A4LD's overheat and puke just trying to drive into town. I'm not saying you can't tow with a auto, just get a huge trans cooler and temp gauge and be very careful. But in the end, the manual will be statistically more reliable when towing large loads. Few here will try to dispute that. As already stated, Ford underrates the manual tranny towing capacity to protect themselves from excessive clutch replacement under warranty due to people who can't work a clutch right trying to tow too much.

And take it from someone who's tried it: a mere 10% increase in rear end gear is not going to make a worthwile difference in the 3.0's ability to lug a camper up a mountain.