2.5 Ranger vs. 2.3 Mustang performance?

[Explodin' Bryan]

I've owned 3 Mustangs with the 2.3: 2 NA (one auto with 3.73 gears and one 5-speed with 3.45s) and a SVO. While I know there's no comparison with the SVO vs. a Ranger with a 2.3/2.5 I was wondering what the real-world driving experience is like between a NA Mustang and a Ranger (I'm mainly interested in the 2.5 but the 2.3-based opinions are still relevant for this comparison), both auto and stick.

I'd consider my NA 2.3 Mustangs "tolerable" as far as power but I still felt it lacking at times, esp. highway passing. The 5-speed felt faster than the auto despite the higher gears. I know the Lima-powered Rangers aren't rockets but I'd like to hear your opinions. Thanks!

Happy New Year!

 

[Mikel89us]

They don't drive as well as a mustang, the 10 extra hp doesn't do much with the extra weight of the truck. A 2.5 stock only made 110 or 115 hp. The late mustangs and 2.3 rangers made 105.

 

[Mark_88]

I guess it'd be like hooking up five more horses in front of your ranger or mustang. I think they would have to be 3 abreast so you'd have about 34 or so rows of horses in front of your vehicle all pulling hard at the same time...to get over 100 hp.

What always got me was a horse can only run about 45 mph at the champion level so how the heck does having more horses in front of your vehicle make your vehicle travel faster than they can actually run?

The 2.5 has more torque...and if you put in a 4.10 rear end or higher (lower) you can improve the take off considerably...

 

[simpler=better]

It's never going to be a rocket ship. Unless you port the head and get a hot cam (which will kill your low end)

 

[adsm08]

I know the Lima-powered Rangers aren't rockets but I'd like to hear your opinions. Thanks!

I would never own one.

 

[Explodin' Bryan]

I'm not looking for power at all and expected as much. I think a little gearing could make up some pep. I'm toying with the idea of getting a '98-'01 supercab with a 2.5 for use as a commuter/light-duty farm truck eventually. Then a little farther out yanking the motor for a turbo rebuild to go into my '89 Mustang. Then use the 2.3 out of the Mustang in the Ranger (so emissions inspections here), maybe even as a high-RPM carbureted sleeper. FYI, I already have a diesel Excursion for towing and a SASed Explorer for wheeling.