• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

4.0 SOHC vs 3.0


stmitch

March 2011 STOTM Winner
MTOTM Winner
2011 Truck of The Year
Joined
Jan 29, 2010
Messages
2,259
Reaction score
615
Points
113
Location
Central Indiana
Vehicle Year
2000
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
3.0
Transmission
Manual
Area under the curve is one thing, and it's a big one, but based on peak numbers the 4.0 SOHC isn't really significantly more powerful or torquey than the 3.0 relative to it's size.
According to the Tech Library here:
The 4.0 SOHC had 207hp @ 5250rpm and 238ft-lbs @ 3000rpm. 51.75hp/L and 59.5 ft-lbs/L
A '00 3.0 OHV had 150hp @ 4750rpm and 190ft-lbs @ 3650rpm. 50hp/L and 63.3 ft-lbs/L

The 4.0 SOHC was designed in the mid 90s. The 3.0 was designed in the early 80s. 15 years of progress and a much more mechanical complexity didn't really gain as much as people might think. If anybody can find the actual torque curves for either engine that might show a bit more of a difference to justify the changes.

Seems like most of the 4.0 SOHCs went into heavy trucks with 4WD, extended cabs, etc. I'd bet that a 2wd/3.0/manual/regular cab truck could probably move just as well as the more powerful and torquey 4.0 truck with the extra 1000lbs of options they typically had to haul around.
 


85_Ranger4x4

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
32,213
Reaction score
17,527
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
I don't care about power, I don't care for the complexity of the 4.0. A lot of them had major problems for the first several years, after that are still hit and miss.

It is a shame, they already had a great engine designed to fit in the platform that got about the same mileage and had slightly more power and torque with 0 timing chain issues... the 5.0/4R70W.

I looked at getting a new one in the mid 00's with a 4.0. 3.0 seemed kind of dicy for a supercab 4x4. But then over here a Supercab 4x4 F-150 with the big V8 gets the same high teens...

It is a shame they didn't really get the 4.2 figured out, I think that could have been a major improvement in a Ranger too.
 

Shran

Junk Collector
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
Solid Axle Swap
Joined
Mar 4, 2008
Messages
8,637
Reaction score
4,704
Points
113
Location
Rapid City SD
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
I owned one 3.0 truck (98 extended cab 4x4, 5 speed) and drove another one, a '93 x-cab automatic 4x4. Night and day difference... the automatic just soaked up so much power and did nothing with it. That '98 was really a pretty nice truck.

I would have no problem buying a 3.0 truck. IMO they are every bit as good as the OHV 4.0. I probably would not buy a 4.0 SOHC truck if I intended to keep it for any length of time.
 

sgtsandman

Aircraft Fuel Tank Diver
TRS Forum Moderator
U.S. Military - Active
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Ham Radio Operator
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Mar 11, 2017
Messages
12,695
Reaction score
12,390
Points
113
Location
Aliquippa, PA
Vehicle Year
2011/2019
Make / Model
Ranger XLT/FX4
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC/2.3 Ecoboost
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Pre-2008 lift/Stock
Tire Size
31X10.5R15/265/65R17
This all reminds me of the caliber wars on gun forums where the 9mm, .40S&W, and .45ACP crowd all keep beating their chest over who is the best when the overall numbers work out to they all equal out to about the same outcome when the numbers are crunched. Let's get out the measuring stick and see who's measures best.... :p
 

cbxer55

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 9, 2009
Messages
1,863
Reaction score
763
Points
113
Location
Midwest City, Oklahoma
Vehicle Year
1998
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
3.0
Transmission
Automatic
.45ACP ftmfw. I have three 1911's, nothing else. Two Kimber's and one Colt Combat Commander. I'll never have anything else. ;-)
 

85_Ranger4x4

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
32,213
Reaction score
17,527
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
You know what a 9mm is? A 45 set on stun. :ROFLMAO:

I don’t care, I want both of those.
 

sgtsandman

Aircraft Fuel Tank Diver
TRS Forum Moderator
U.S. Military - Active
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Ham Radio Operator
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Mar 11, 2017
Messages
12,695
Reaction score
12,390
Points
113
Location
Aliquippa, PA
Vehicle Year
2011/2019
Make / Model
Ranger XLT/FX4
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC/2.3 Ecoboost
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Pre-2008 lift/Stock
Tire Size
31X10.5R15/265/65R17
I have both 9mm and .45ACP.

As far as the engine, I have a 4.0 because that is what the truck came with.
 

Shran

Junk Collector
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
Solid Axle Swap
Joined
Mar 4, 2008
Messages
8,637
Reaction score
4,704
Points
113
Location
Rapid City SD
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Shut your pie holes, everyone knows 9mm is where it's at. :ROFLMAO:
 

85_Ranger4x4

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
32,213
Reaction score
17,527
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
Shut your pie holes, everyone knows 9mm is where it's at. :ROFLMAO:
I am still biding my time with my cap and ball revolvers waiting to see if this cartridge fad is going to go mainstream.
 

Uncle Gump

Token Old Guy
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Sep 17, 2018
Messages
13,709
Reaction score
13,164
Points
113
Location
Ottawa IL
Vehicle Year
2006/1986
Make / Model
Ranger/BroncoII
Engine Size
4.0L SOHC/2.9L
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Lead follow or get out of my way
From 3.0 and 4.0 liter engines to the best hand gun caliber...

I vote for the 40 cal.... and my 22LR in a matching frame. I can carry a couple hundred rounds of 22LR in my pants pocket and I can shoot the 22LR all day for the cost of a few magazines worth of 40 cal. Keeps me in tune.

Back on subject... I still like my 4.0L SOHC... I like the way they feel and they have been good to me... despite their bad rap.
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Members online

Today's birthdays

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Latest posts

Truck of The Month


Kirby N.
March Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top