3.0 vs 4.0

[ifitaintbroke]

also a relatively rare Continental 4.6 V8 that used the Taurus transaxle.

I've seen 1 of those in person. Talk about shoehorned. Didn't know it was the same bellhousing.

 

[superj]

if you really want to be cool, find one of those long wheel base aerostar vans that have the 4.0. its a ranger with a panel van on top. than you can camp and tow with it. (its just ugly as dog poop)

 

[oldgeek]

if you really want to be cool, find one of those long wheel base aerostar vans that have the 4.0. its a ranger with a panel van on top. than you can camp and tow with it. (its just ugly as dog poop)

The Aerostar was the best. Nobody does it better. Proof:

 

[ifitaintbroke]

if you really want to be cool, find one of those long wheel base aerostar vans that have the 4.0. its a ranger with a panel van on top. than you can camp and tow with it. (its just ugly as dog poop)

I've been trying to find one. I have a lead on one with a 2.3 and 5 speed.

 

[superj]

i didn't even know they put that combination in the aerostar. i know with the 4.0, it will smoke the tires through an intersection

 

[mikkelstuff]

I realize it is more work but consider a 5.0L replacement.

I'm thinking, why go to all that effort to add only one liter of engine displacement.

Unless, of course, you live in Colorado where swapping a 5.0L into my 2002 Ranger is illegal.

 

[Ranger850]

I've seen 1 of those in person. Talk about shoehorned. Didn't know it was the same bellhousing.

I had one. Shared it with my dad for about 5 years. It was one of the BEST cars for long distance travels. Air ride suspension was cool, but we replaced the bags with springs for its final year. It eventually went to the scrapyard. So many times I wanted to swap that motor into MY 3.0 Ranger.

 

[jmorales36]

EXCEPT: the 3.8 found in Windstar vans. Yes, it's true.

So, if I have a 5R55 can I use the bellhousing out of a windstorm and make it work?

 

[gw33gp]

I know you are talking about replacing a 3.0 with a 5.0, which sounds like a good move, but you will sacrifice a lot in mpg. What you gain is HP, torque and a great sound.

From what I have seen, comparing 4.0 SOHC to 5.0 engines is a different story. With the 5.0 there is minimal HP gain, significant low-end torque gain, a drop in mpg and a great sound. A friend that is very talented with mechanics did the conversion with his 4.0 SOHC powered 2003 FX4 Level II and ultimately said he was sorry he did it. He said the improvement in performance was not worth the work he put into it and had a problem with overheating that he could never resolve. It was fine until he needed to use the power. He felt the engine took up too much space in the engine compartment and the air flow was restricted resulting in the overheating when pushing the engine hard. He ended up selling it. It was a beautiful install and looked like it came from the factory with the 5.0. He had little problem selling it.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

So, if you’re after real power in a Ranger, a 2.3 EcoBoost swap is the move to make.

I went 5.0 because that’s the move I wanted to make. Fuel economy for me hasn’t a change, I was getting 12/13 mpg with the 4.0 OHV and I’m getting the same with a smile with the 5.0. That may change when I get some issues worked out. I never had an overheating issue, actually I had a faulty thermostat that was opening at 165* and it was maintaining that… I did the Torque Monster headers and a 2.5” true dual exhaust, so it breaths easy

 

[ifitaintbroke]

So, if I have a 5R55 can I use the bellhousing out of a windstorm and make it work?

Idk. I refuse to touch slushboxes.