3.0 vs 4.0?

[bmonee5]

I was thinking about getting a 4.0 just for the power cause i've owned a 2.3 for awhile now and i'm TIRED of not having balls......ehhhh yeah. Anyways i'm curious of some pro's and con's of either engine? I've heard people talk about how good the 3.0's are but i kinda wanted the extra power of a 4.0, but i'm not sure if the 4.0's are prone to any kind of problems? Anyways any feedback would be great thanks!

 

[powerranger262]

No offense to the 3.0L, but I drove three of them before I got into my 4.0L. Huge difference, to me anyways, in power and torque. The 3.0L just felt like it was going to blow when I got on it. I have 91,000 on my 02 with the only problem being the buck/hesitation that Rangers are known for, some simple cleaning of the TB and the IAC and it went away. I would definately buy another one.

 

[alyssasdaddy]

I like the 2.3, mine has had a few hundred in work done to it but I would not say it had no balls, but I can't say it did not have any problems either. As for the 3.0 vs the 4.0 on the pre 98 I have no complaints with reliability but I have a huge complaint on power.

2.3, 3.0, and 4.0 ohv all suck on power in my opinion. I love my 4.0 sohc I have some work done to it but I have no problem taking on ricers and gm ( sorry for the swear word) but I have a few after markets on. Basically in the order you see is the power you feel 2.3, 3.0, 4.0 ohv and 4.0 sohc

 

[bmonee5]

haha yeah my 2.3 is from 83....it is just gutless.....i may have some underlying issues but i'm assuming its just gutless. Yeah i was gonna buy a 97 3.0 and when i test drove it it seems a bit gutless. I drove my dads 2000 4.0 SOHC to go test drive it and needless to say the 3.0 seemed way underpowered. Anyways are the 4.0 SOHC significantly more powerfull than the 4.0 OHV? ps. sorry to be nubeish but what does OHV stand for?

 

[MrE_Powers]

over head valve from the cylinder. basically another way to say push rod.

 

[kjpries]

ohv stands for over head valve and sohc stands for single over head cam.. i had a 93 3.0 and it had no power and got bad gas mileage bc i had to drive around with it floored all the time. i have a 94 4.0 now. it gets about the same gas mileage but had a HUGE difference in power

 

[bmonee5]

hmmmmm ok yeah i'm ruling out a 3.0 now. I guess i'll just have to find a sohc 4.0. I was only really considering a 4.0 but not i'll definately go that way. And if i can i suppose i'll try to find a SOHC for a little more power.

 

[02RangerXLT]

I owned a 3.0, and currently have a 4.0... the 3.0 HAS power, it just has NO balls... the 4.0 is a much smoother engine with the auto tranny IMO... plus it gives a nice rumble...

 

[bigcountry]

look at it like this youve told us ur choices so this is how i look at it the 3.slow is like the middle of the motors so do you want more power or just a bit more than what you have now. i would go with the 4.0 cause then you wont be like wow i shoulda got the 4.0 instead of the 3.slow

 

[Sevensecondsuv]

If it's a 4x4, definately get a 4.0. If you're looking at a 2wd (especially a 5-spd) to drive to work, cruise around in, etc, the 3.0 will be more than adequate. But a 4.0 truck will blow the doors off a 3.0 truck in a drag race.

That being said, power isn't all it's cracked up to be. My turbo ranger is a heck of a lot faster than any ranger Ford ever assembled. But when it comes to driving to work I like my slow turd underpowered Explorer better because it has more leg room and the seat reclines further. So power isn't everything.

 

[bigcountry]

yea but all guys are the same once that power bug bites ya it can bite ya hard and then after the 3.slow it will be what can i do for more power

 

[bmonee5]

well when i do get a new truck i won't be putting a whole lot of money into it besides wheels and tires, exhaust and intake, probably not much more. I am def. gonna go with a 4.0 after these postings, after my 83 2.3 i told myself i don't want to sacrifice any power and i know i would be upset with the "3.slow" ....haha thats a good one. This truck will be my everything daily driver for wheeling, hunting, and whatever. I'll definatley be posting when i do finally get it but it could still be awhile. Anyways thanks for the input i really really appriciate it!

 

[babytruck]

I have a 3.0l myself and it does alright. but when I want power Ill use the 5.4L in my f150. Its a ranger unless you drop a good amount of money in it, its still gonna be a ranger... I dont know maybe find an old 302, parts would be far easier to find. Good luck post some pics of the swap anyhow.

 

[zukirider21]

imo, the 2.3 does a great job for what it is, good power for the size/displacement, and insane reliability. the 4 liter is also the same way; great reliability, and pretty decent balls to boot. however, in the 3.0's case, yes, it lasts forever, but it has NO BALLS considering it's size. every single 3.0 vehicle i have ever driven has annoyed me with the lack of power. i find that the 2.3 provides a much more pleasurable and engaging driving experience.

 

[bmonee5]

no doubt the 2.3 is reliable. BUT i'm going to buy a new vehicle and does ford even make a newer 2.3 that is 4x4? I haven't seen a 02 or newer one? I think i'm definately gonna get a 4.0 model just so i don't wish i would have gone bigger....worst case i can always put some engine mods on it to help out. I figure intake, maybe chip, and exhaust would help pretty good on a 4.0 and possibly headers. BUT compared to a 3.0 which engine generally lasts longer?