3.0 or 4.0?????

[ranger530]

ok .... seriously ......3 liter or 4 liter...i have heard some nice things about the 3.0 and heard some bad things... i just got a awesome price for a nice lookin' 3.0.... but i have driven 4.0s all my life... i have a four liter right now but i want two rangers...... should i get the 3.0??? tell me a little about them

 

[02RangerXLT]

There's been numerous threads about this recently, use the search feature.

 

[RollinWOT]

3L lack power, but make up for it in durability. If you do get a 3L, try and go for the manual version, not auto. I've got an auto 3L, and it just has absolutely no balls. Once you make the switch from a 4L to a 3L, you definately will notice the lack in power, and they aren't rev-happy either. If you want just a DD around town truck, the 3L will do fine, but if you want something with power, get another 4L. Im not dissing on the 3L, but they really don't have any power. If you have the chance, get the 3L if it has the manual, but if you can find a 4L that's also in good condition, get it.

 

[disciplerocks]

5.0

 

[ranger530]

5.0 yep i pick that lol

 

[Surrey]

Well my 2.9 isn't bad... So I guess a 3.0 can't be that bad either. The powerband on the 3.0 is a lot higher in the RPMs I think? Good as long as hauling loads isn't in the picture... And if you already have a 4.0, seems like two different sized engines could have an advantage (3.0 better for a DD or long trips, 4.0 better for hauling a trailer, ect..)

 

[ranger530]

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://static.cargurus.com/images/site/2009/11/10/18/11/2000_ford_ranger_2_dr_xlt_4wd_extended_cab_stepside_sb-pic-6087535049794344733.jpeg&imgrefurl=http://southcarolina.inetgiant.com/AdDetails/2000-Ford-Ranger-EXT-cab/2081274&usg=__5xH5Hd8m3wrJ3AynzMl4dgDDlzk=&h=480&w=640&sz=67&hl=en&start=0&sig2=kGxfeJ3aPzJa1PSZJu04uA&zoom=1&tbnid=97-CtAwxx6S_nM:&tbnh=149&tbnw=213&ei=SBqZTbyAGbG90QHareyADA&prev=/images?q=black+step+side+ford+ranger+3.0&hl=en&biw=1280&bih=649&gbv=2&tbs=isch:1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=768&oei=SBqZTbyAGbG90QHareyADA&page=1&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:5,s:0&tx=155&ty=110



it looks identical to this

 

[pjtoledo]

as stated, the 3.0 is dependable, but it's seriously lacking on power and economy.
I've a 2000 ex cab 4x4 auto trans 3.73 gears 245/70-16 tires(30") with the 3.0. On trips up and down I 75 there are times when it will struggle to maintain 65mph running into the wind. the slightest upgrade forces a downshift. on the open road 16mpg is the best it gets, probably close to 12 in town.
I believe the 3.0 would be ok in a regular cab manual 2wd truck.


Perry

 

[02RangerXLT]

My 3.0 got 19-21mpg average if I kept it under 60... Supercab 4x4 with 3.73's...

My 4.0 gets 15-18 average if I keep it above 60, and closer to 65. Going 80 on the interstate I get 21mph consistently.

 

[JohnnyO]

My 3.0 got 19-21mpg average if I kept it under 60... Supercab 4x4 with 3.73's...

My 4.0 gets 15-18 average if I keep it above 60, and closer to 65. Going 80 on the interstate I get 21mph consistently.

My 4.0's weren't that good on gas but my first Ranger was a '99 3.0 4x4 Supercab with a stick and 3.73 gears. Great on gas for a 4x4 but no power at all. At the time I was traveling a lot and Budget was renting Rangers for $19.99 a day. They were all 3.0 automatics, terrible on gas compared to my own truck with a stick.

 

[02RangerXLT]

My 4.0's weren't that good on gas but my first Ranger was a '99 3.0 4x4 Supercab with a stick and 3.73 gears. Great on gas for a 4x4 but no power at all. At the time I was traveling a lot and Budget was renting Rangers for $19.99 a day. They were all 3.0 automatics, terrible on gas compared to my own truck with a stick.

Yep, my 3.0 had no balls at all. When I wrecked it, I vowed to get the 4.0.... now in the winter, my 3.0 still got 14... the 4.0 gets 11ish, and that's with no 4x4 used.

 

[hoosier1104]

ok .... seriously ......3 liter or 4 liter...i have heard some nice things about the 3.0 and heard some bad things... i just got a awesome price for a nice lookin' 3.0.... but i have driven 4.0s all my life... i have a four liter right now but i want two rangers...... should i get the 3.0??? tell me a little about them

I have a 3.0 I would sell you with trans less accessories. PM me if you are interested.

 

[hoosier1104]

5.0

 

[84bluebronco2]

My 4.0 paired up to the M5OD and 3.27's gets 15-16 in town and 20-22 60mph highway. I never have seen a 4.0 go as low as 12mpg... That really sucks =(... I would gladly give up my 15/20 for some 3.73 or 4.10 gears.

 

[--weezl--]

My 3.0 got 19-21mpg average if I kept it under 60... Supercab 4x4 with 3.73's...

My 4.0 gets 15-18 average if I keep it above 60, and closer to 65. Going 80 on the interstate I get 21mph consistently.

going 80, you got 21mph consistently? that makes no sense... i assume you mean mpg... but even that doesn't make sense... 15-18 at 60-65 would be optimal... you're not going to get 3-6mpg better, with an additional 15-20mph... do you mean 12mpg at 80?