Looking for 3.0 history

[Clint's 3.0 ranger]

Read about the 3.0 in the tech library, very good information. Went through old 3.0 threads to learn more about this engine. It seems owners through the years didn't like them. Some do like it. I Learned it's a higher rpm engine for horse power and torque. If you over rev will it kill the engine?

The automatic transmission keeps the rpms at lower shift points, how will a 5spd do with this engine?

What I'm asking is from those who currently own or have owned a ranger with the 3.0 from 93-97 mainly.

When I was a ford mechanic for 20 years I worked on a few 3.0 rangers, mostly with automatic transmissions. Mostly 1998-2005 3.0 rangers, these were problems. I love the 93-97 style, reason I bought this 97.

I owned a 1995 2.3 5spd ranger for 25 years, sold it to my brother so I could purchase my 97.

Glad to be part of the the ranger station lots of great information in the library and the old threads.

 

[bobbywalter]

ask oscar the grouch....he specializes in dumpster fodder.


it is a great engine really. a car engine....but still get it done.

 

[Clint's 3.0 ranger]

Amusing answer

 

[Curious Hound]

I like mine. I don't "love" it. But it's a good, reliable engine. With the M5OD-R1 behind it, it can be driven effectively. If you go with oversize tires, make sure you research the differentials for good performance. I run 35" mud terrain tires and 4.56 gears and my truck is a little mountain goat. But I would be happier with 5.13 gears, using these tires.

 

[bobbywalter]

yup.... simple history to the essex and vulcan platforms early on.

they really are very reliable lil buggers.


if you gave me one i would run it till i got sick of it and put in something else to get sick of....but...thats me.

 

[Curious Hound]

yup.... simple history to the essex and vulcan platforms early on.

they really are very reliable lil buggers.


if you gave me one i would run it till i got sick of it and put in something else to get sick of....but...thats me.

That's where I am. I haven't gotten sick of it yet.

 

[Clint's 3.0 ranger]

I like mine. I don't "love" it. But it's a good, reliable engine. With the M5OD-R1 behind it, it can be driven effectively. If you go with oversize tires, make sure you research the differentials for good performance. I run 35" mud terrain tires and 4.56 gears and my truck is a little mountain goat. But I would be happier with 5.13 gears, using these tires.

Plans are to keep it stock. The guy I bought it from purchased it new in 1997. He specifically ordered it with 3:73 gears with a limited slip rear-end. I'm from Arizona, had some desert toys in my life mostly my brother's stuff. Always did alot of desert off roading and still enjoy doing it time to time.

 

[Clint's 3.0 ranger]

yup.... simple history to the essex and vulcan platforms early on.

they really are very reliable lil buggers.


if you gave me one i would run it till i got sick of it and put in something else to get sick of....but...thats me.

Interesting..my 95 ranger he now has is getting to consider putting a turbo on it. I wanted to, never got around to it. We are going to pull the 2.3 soon to rebuild it after we are done with the transmission swap on my 97. Will be fun to rebuild the 2.3 mainly from mileage and to hop it up some for the turbo. Nothing serious, give it a little more pick up and go for daily driver and some fun.

 

[superj]

my 05 3.0 has around 220k, maybe 215k on it, but it runs great. i have hte 5 speed and 4.10 in the back so its not got any trouble accelerating form a stop or on the highway.

i have driven it across states with no trouble. it did fine going over ratton pass in colorado and going up the mountains around colorado springs. and my son borrowed it last july - february and used it as a daily there at fort carson with no issues.

i think a lesser diff would make it not as much of a fun drive though. i don't think 3.73 would be as enjoyable since you have to rev it up to get it really moving in a fun way.

you might not notice a huge change from the 4 cylinder you were previously driving though. it drives the same. i thought my truck was a 4 cylinder when i first picked it up from my uncle. i had only previously ever driven 4 cylinder rangers (company trucks from my dad's plumbing company. we lived in those trucks for 100 to 200k miles) and thought this was the same the first wee or two i owned it.

 

[Clint's 3.0 ranger]

my 05 3.0 has around 220k, maybe 215k on it, but it runs great. i have hte 5 speed and 4.10 in the back so its not got any trouble accelerating form a stop or on the highway.

i have driven it across states with no trouble. it did fine going over ratton pass in colorado and going up the mountains around colorado springs. and my son borrowed it last july - february and used it as a daily there at fort carson with no issues.

i think a lesser diff would make it not as much of a fun drive though. i don't think 3.73 would be as enjoyable since you have to rev it up to get it really moving in a fun way.

you might not notice a huge change from the 4 cylinder you were previously driving though. it drives the same. i thought my truck was a 4 cylinder when i first picked it up from my uncle. i had only previously ever driven 4 cylinder rangers (company trucks from my dad's plumbing company. we lived in those trucks for 100 to 200k miles) and thought this was the same the first wee or two i owned it.

The ranger 2.3 5spd is alot better than a 3.0 automatic. Once the 5spd swap is done with the 3.0 we shall see how better it will be. Is yours the ranger edge? If so you have 15" rims and mine are 14" rims. The 4:10's are better for yours, do you know if 4:10's are to much for 14" rims? My plans are to keep this truck stock and continue to use the 14" rims.

With a 5spd and 3:73 it should be fine. I will keep that gear ratio in thought.

 

[Curious Hound]

The ranger 2.3 5spd is alot better than a 3.0 automatic. Once the 5spd swap is done with the 3.0 we shall see how better it will be. Is yours the ranger edge? If so you have 15" rims and mine are 14" rims. The 4:10's are better for yours, do you know if 4:10's are to much for 14" rims? My plans are to keep this truck stock and continue to use the 14" rims.

With a 5spd and 3:73 it should be fine. I will keep that gear ratio in thought.

Rim diameter doesn’t mean anything because the rim doesn’t touch the road. The tire does. Outside tire diameter, and therefore circumference is what counts. That is what determines how far the truck travels for each revolution of the wheel. Both trucks probably had the same tire diameter originally. 4.10 gears will make it feel peppier, whether 2.3l or 3.0l. But top speed will be sacrificed slightly. The 4.10 gears help keep the engine rpm’s higher, which is what you want for both of those engines.

 

[superj]

The ranger 2.3 5spd is alot better than a 3.0 automatic. Once the 5spd swap is done with the 3.0 we shall see how better it will be. Is yours the ranger edge? If so you have 15" rims and mine are 14" rims. The 4:10's are better for yours, do you know if 4:10's are to much for 14" rims? My plans are to keep this truck stock and continue to use the 14" rims.

With a 5spd and 3:73 it should be fine. I will keep that gear ratio in thought.

Mine is the 15 inch wheels and i had stock tires on it because it felt so sporty. I just changed them last week to some 30s on after market wheels i had gotten for my wrangler (but the wife and kids vetoed them saying they look to small for a wrangler)


When these tires wear out, i am going back to the stock size so i can try autocrossing this truck. I might try with the old tires and steel wheels if i get bored though as i think this could be a super fun autocross truck since its 2wd and a stick

 

[Clint's 3.0 ranger]

Rim diameter doesn’t mean anything because the rim doesn’t touch the road. The tire does. Outside tire diameter, and therefore circumference is what counts. That is what determines how far the truck travels for each revolution of the wheel. Both trucks probably had the same tire diameter originally. 4.10 gears will make it feel peppier, whether 2.3l or 3.0l. But top speed will be sacrificed slightly. The 4.10 gears help keep the engine rpm’s higher, which is what you want for both of those engines.

I will look into a 4:10 gears set if these 3:73 aren't to my liking. My 2.3 had 3:45 gears. Can you recommend a reputable vendor to buy a set from?

 

[Bgunner]

I will look into a 4:10 gears set if these 3:73 aren't to my liking. My 2.3 had 3:45 gears. Can you recommend a reputable vendor to buy a set from?

Yukon gears do very well.

I have the '94 3.0 2wd with the 5 speed and 3.45 gears. Power sucks at this highway gear ratio even reving it but I get great milage with it. I want to swap to 4.10 gear set with the LS in it for mine. I currently run a 29" tire on mine and I didn't notice a difference in power going from 215/75R14's to 225/70R15's.

3.0 is a reliable engine and tons were made so parts are easy to get. As stated it is a engine designed for a car so it just manages in the truck but nothing to get excited about. Do your normal maintenance and fix anything that goes wrong quickly and you have a very dependable engine.

 

[Xombi]

I had the 1995 B3000 5sp 2wd lb reg cab. Outstanding highway mileage approaching 27, not too bad around town. It later handled a 7 foot steel utility cap for service work intown and never complained. To this day I cannot understand why Mazda would put a slave cylinder in an inaccessible area. My 87 Ford F150 also had a Mazda 5spd.