Best Motor?

[fishunterx]

Looking at Rangers, wondering what motor has the least problems.

If anyone can help me that would be great.

 

[country0001]

4.0L are the best, hands down. Plenty of power, decent mileage, just an awesome little engine.

 

[adsm08]

Lemme clarify that. 4.0 OHV is a good engine. 4.0 SOHC is slightly more problematic. Lot harder to work on too.

 

[02RangerXLT]

With my 4.0... I get about 16.5-17 mpg with regular 60mph driving... On one trip from Denver to Omaha, I got 20-21 mpg... that was with no stopping except for gas.

With my old 3.0, I used to get 19 average at 60... But on a trip coming back from Minnesota, I got an average of 14 mpg...

Granted, the Ranger only has a 4 banger or a V6, so there isn't much balls no matter which engine you pick, however, the 3.0 is about as gutless as they come. My 4.0 drives so much better than my 3.0 did...

Don't expect great mileage unless you get a 4 banger though...

 

[fishunterx]

I'm looking at Gen I rangers, like the bodystyle best... How are the 2.8 or 2.9's?

 

[92 5 oh]

i cant speak for the 2.8, but my 87 had a 2.9. it was a dog. slow, not the best gas mileage, big lack of power, lifters ticked often, valve covers were prone to leaking. engine aside - the radiator in my 87 sucked, i believe Gen I and Gen II had the same (or similar?) single core radiator. I got one from a Gen III 4.0 and never had a problem with it. I'm sure more people will chime in about their thoughts of the 2.8/2.9.
I now have a 98 with a 4L and it's TONS better than my 87. Lots more power, runs better, better gas mileage, no lifter tick, all around a better motor.
I don't know all the details of the differences, but there's some really smart fellas on here that can tell you for sure. just my .02c

 

[88rangerboy]

My 2.9 5 speed is slow but I get 26 mpg's with 31's and 4:10's and for as small of a motor as it is I've never had much trouble hauling small scrap metal loads of pulling my boat. Even pulled my buddy's 5300 lbs Four runner to the scrap yard on a tow dolley without trouble, just took it a while for it to get to speed but it didn't struggle.

 

[heptofite]

It's not so much that the 4.0 is a better motor in the reliability and driveability sense, it's that you can't get a 2.9 that is less than 20 years old.

i'm having a 2.9 built from NIB parts right now, so we should see how that turns out.

 

[coffey89]

iv heard the 2.9 have a problem with hot spots on the pistons and that it will lead to holes in the piston. i have a 2.8 and have run the piss out of it ran it out of oil and everything they dont have much power but they will get u out of what u need and pull people out of ditches. im about to rebuild mine and cant wait to see the rod bearings form me being young an dumb lol

 

[odley2001]

depends on what you are going to do with the truck, with a first gen my favorite is the 2.3 fuel injected, I currently have a 2.0 carb and a 2.8, parts are hard to find and expensive (carbs) and can be no fun with someone who has no exp with carbs. I like 2.9 but the ones before 89 seem to have a lot of cam and head problems

 

[stangcrazy85]

i dont believe u can kill a 2300 little tank motors they are

 

[gwaii]

It's not so much that the 4.0 is a better motor in the reliability and driveability sense, it's that you can't get a 2.9 that is less than 20 years old.

yup.

iv heard the 2.9 have a problem with hot spots on the pistons and that it will lead to holes in the piston.

never heard of this....and i've beat a lot of 2.9s into submission.

I like 2.9 but the ones before 89 seem to have a lot of cam and head problems

this,unfortunately is too true.

i dont believe u can kill a 2300 little tank motors they are

i've killed a few

 

[fishunterx]

I love the 2.3 had one in my 87 that I rolled a couple years ago. but most 2.3's are 2wd and I need the 4x4. If I can find the 4x4 with the 2.3 I'll pick it up. Just wondering what the best motor to look for on the first Gen is.

 

[Hahnsb2]

2.3 is probably the hardest RBV engine to kill. They can be had with 4x4, my dad has had a few.

 

[adsm08]

My personal preference for an all-around truck is a 1st gen ex cab Ranger with a 4.0 swapped in. 2.9 is next best.