What about the 3.0ltr. motor ?

[cougar190]

Hey folks, long time Ranger owner here. We (wife and myself) own 4 total, LOL ! I'm looking to add another 1 that's a 4 wheel drive. Other details aside I've noticed a few with the 3.0 ltr. motor within my price range. We've had all the other motors 2.3, 2.9, 4.0(reg) now a 4.0 SOHC. Having not had any experience with the 3.0 I thought I'ld ask you folks! What is the scoop on this motor and the tranny's that are attached ? Dependability, power, educate me, LOL. ...cougar

 

[97RangerXLT]

very dependable, very reliable.

not overly powerful. some might say that it will bog down pulling a full tank of gas...and it is called the 3 point slow for a reason

the auto transmission is pretty much the same as any auto transmission for the ranger of that year..

but with the right gears and knowing what the power band is ?when to shift you can do well with it.

AJ

 

[enjr44]

Ford built millions of them. Standard engine in the Taurus for about, well, all most forever. Not a truck engine, so it doesn't have much low end torque, so works best with an auto trans where it will spin up.

 

[Froggmann]

Very dependable, not a lot of power, will perform best with a manual trans IMO. Manual transmissions rob less power than an automatic which is very necessary with a 3.0. A few basic mods with help with the power and mileage.

Keep the RPM's up and they perform decently, try to drive it like a V8 and you'll be disappointed. Mine uses about 1/2 quart of oil every 5k miles, just turned 200k miles and averages well over 20mpg.

 

[adsm08]

The 3.0 is a very reliable engine. After that one single point it sucks. All the gas mileage of a 4.0 and all the power of a 2.3. I have talked to very few people with 4x4 Rangers that were happy with the 3.0.

 

[Mark_88]

I test drove one early last year with the manual transmission...didn't really get to wind it up and blow it out but from what I saw it was barely more power than my 2.3...

My friend is selling one with the 3.0 with manual transmission and I discovered that her cable was stretched...I offered to fix it but she was in a hurry to leave and that might have given her back the access to full power...

So...check that the cable on the pedal has no play in it when you drive it...see if that makes a difference with a few zip ties...

 

[Mazda]

My dad's 2002 3.0L had to get the heads replaced twice in 8 years. Never really knew why and didn't cost him anything as they were under warranty. It was a nice truck and didn't have any problem other than that.

 

[CaliNickXLT]

I have a 99 4x4 with the 3.0 and its not to bad. Yes there could be more power but its not all that bad if you actually drive it. If your shifting at 2k and driving miss dasiy around yeah its gutless. but if your motor doesnt have any issues and your shifting around 3-4k its not to bad of a motor. Id rather have a 3.0 like my current truck than my time bomb of a motor in my old 98 Exploder with the SOHC 4.0

 

[stmitch]

Not a truck engine, so it doesn't have much low end torque, so works best with an auto trans where it will spin up.

I've found just the opposite to be true for me. It felt sluggish and underpowered with the auto trans. Swapping to the manual made it much more enjoyable to drive, made it easier to keep in the powerband, and returned better fuel economy. Manual is definitely the way to go as far as I'm concerned.