3.0 vs. 4.0

[Cliftonhanger]

hi all, im gonna be looking for a ranger to buy pretty soon, and living in MA i want one with 4wd for the winter. the question is, which engine would be better, a 3.0 or 4.0?
i know the 4.0 is significantly more powerful but how does it compare in fuel mileage and reliability? just how slow is the 3.0? and are there any fairly cheap/simple things to do to a 3.0 to give it more power?
I don't know much about either engine, the only ranger ive driven is my grandfathers 2001 which has a 2.3. ive driven a 3.0 in a taurus but i dont know if it handles the same as it would in the ranger?
thanks for ur help

 

[XLTbeater]

My '92 3.0L/5-speed Ranger super cab gets decent MPG for the weight of the truck. It's definitely not the fastest thing on the road, but I feel better after passing the $4/gallon gas stations around here.


XLTbeater

 

[dezrt_edge33]

ya the gas mileage is good but my truck handle on the 4.0's it just takes some cash and time

 

[hihoslvr]

The 3.0 has about the same amount of power as the 2.3, the reason is that it weighs about 130#'s more, but only has 5 more hp. If you get a 3.0 though, get one with a 5spd.
My guess is a 4.0 that uses 4wd alot gets about 15mpg or less depending on tires and gearing.

 

[inferno94]

If you want to do a bit of towing get a 3L if you want to do alot get a 4L. My 3L gets 9.3L/100km (25.5 mpg) and 10L/100km (24mpg) when towing, thats pretty good to me. Not to mention it isn't really much slower when towing (mine is stick).

If you want speed a truck isn't the way to go if you want crazy mileage but in a vehicle with a bed get a 4cyl 01+ ranger/b2300. The 4cyl trucks don't have the torque to do much though.

I found I could get speed and mileage by owning a 250hp mazda 323 and a 150hp mazda b3000 for my hauling needs / winter but do what works for you.

 

[aipaul]

I've read that EPA mileage estimates for the 4.0 and 3.0 are the same. They get the same mileage but the 4.0 has more power. Is this true?

http://www.mpgomatic.com/2007/11/12/ford-ranger-gas-mileage

 

[gw33gp]

Yes, the 4.0 SOHC engine has considerably more power then the 3.0. The 4.0can get almost as good gas mileage as the 3.0 but you can't use that extra power and still get good gas mileage. You have to learn to keep your foot out of the go pedal to get similar mileage as the 3.0 and that is tough to do for some people, including me.

 

[exbass94]

Just test drive them both and see which one you like best. Only you can decide if the 3.0 has enough power for your needs.

 

[cr_the_machinist]

I don't know.... thats a tough choice. I have to 4.0 with 4x4 and I get about 17~18 mpg in the summer driving a little conservative (not bringing the tach past 3k). But in the winter I get like 15 mpg, which kinda sucks. Kinda wish I had a 3.0 every time I fill up cause you can run E85 through 'em (which is like $0.35 cheaper than gas right now).

 

[fixizin]

cr, no need to pine after E85 at those prices, i.e. it would have to be about $1.00/gal. cheaper to cover the 20-30% DROP IN MILEAGE!


Still happy w/ my 3.0L and stick though... made the dealer remove that little E85 "green leaf" decal.

 

[cr_the_machinist]

cr, no need to pine after E85 at those prices, i.e. it would have to be about $1.00/gal. cheaper to cover the 20-30% DROP IN MILEAGE!


Still happy w/ my 3.0L and stick though... made the dealer remove that little E85 "green leaf" decal.

Never messed around with that stuff before. All I know is it has a small carbon count to is molecular structure, which means it can't hold as much hydrogen as an octane structure.

 

[hihoslvr]

Hey, now can you run E85 even if it's not a FFV? I haven't seen E85 out here though...

 

[fixizin]

Hey, now can you run E85 even if it's not a FFV? I haven't seen E85 out here though...

Short answer: NO. Even if, by chance, your engine runs smoothly without damaging knock, I believe the high concentrations of alcohol will damage several non-metallic components of your fuel system (fuel hose, internal filter elements, pump pick-ups, gauge sender units, etc.), maybe even the injectors...?