wildbill23c
Well-Known Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
Ham Radio Operator
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2012
- Messages
- 3,917
- Reaction score
- 577
- Points
- 113
- Location
- Southwestern Idaho
- Vehicle Year
- 1987
- Make / Model
- Ford Ranger
- Engine Type
- 2.9 V6
- Transmission
- Manual
- 2WD / 4WD
- 2WD
- Total Lift
- 0
- Total Drop
- 0
- Tire Size
- 215/70-R14
- My credo
- 19K, 19D, 92Y, 88M, 91F....OIF-III (2004-2005)
Don't the 4 cylinder models with 4WD have 4.10's stock? Thought I saw or read somewhere that was the case?If you ever have future plans to get more power. In all honesty the 4 cylinder has more upgrades available and cheaper than the 3.0. The 2.3 lima has a HUGE race following with parts. But you say you just want a DD that gets mileage and can still offroad. With the right gears (which it should already have) it's gonna be your best friend.
The 3.0 is a great reliable engine but it's not powerful and has an odd powerband for a truck. It does have more hp and torque than the 2.3 but it makes it at way higher rpm.
The 4 cylinder sounds like a great vehicle for a commuter, still giving the 4WD option if needed. Although a different vehicle my 89 Mazda B2600i 4x4 did great had plenty of power for a 2.6L 4 cylinder and 4WD, I'd get mid to high 20's on the highway for fuel economy with it, the slight drop in fuel economy I had no issue with given I had 4WD, and some all terrain tires on it, it did great in all weather conditions and had 339k on it when I sold it, I had the clutch & slave cylinder replaced at 279k.