3.0L vs 4.0L

[tedcrf450]

Thanks for all the replies. I think I will for sure look for a truck with the 4.0. I live in a hilly area and go over a summit every day to work.

 

[dasfinc]

I am a 4.0 OHV guy; I feel they are the most dependable of any RBV motor, except the 5.0 in the Explorer/Mountaineer. I don't care much for the 4.0 SOHC, it's got issues I don't feel like messing with, like the chain guides. If it were the 3.0 versus the 4.0 SOHC, I might just get the 3.0.

I have been quite impressed out of the reliability of the 5.0 I stuffed into my ranger... Beat the SNOT out of it all last year, and it hauled an organ from Indiana back home (720lbs in the bed)

My 4.0 I bought with 156K on it and a bad coil pack, Since I replaced the coil pack and tuned it up, it hasn't missed a beat.

I've been less impressed with the 3.0 reliability actually, I've replaced the belt tensioner on his truck twice, his alternator, and his CPS Spindle/sensor and it only has 78K on it!!!

 

[AllanD]

I currently have a '91 Ranger with a 4.0 ext cab 4x4. I have been looking at a few newer rangers. Would I be disappointed with the 3.0 power after driving the 4.0 for 5+ years? I sometimes pull a atv trailer with 2 fourwheelers or 4 dirtbikes. I have never drove one with a 3.0 I found a 2000 with 123k miles on it for $5000, everything I want except it has 3.0 engine. I don't want to mess around wasting more $$ building up the 3.0

It isn't the "power" that you'll miss so much because according to HP numbers there really isn't all that much difference by the numbers.

where the difference is is the torque, and more importantly where the engine makes the torque.

To put it simply the 4.0 is already making more torque by the time it hits 1200rpm than a 3.0 will ever make without adding a supercharger (or Nitrous which is in essence "supercharger in a bottle")

the 4.0 just seems relaxed and effortless, the 3.0 screams and howls and doesn't seem to do much.

If you are used to a 4.0?

You'll hate a 3.0 with a passion that will suprise and scare you.

AD

 

[JohnnyO]

If you are used to a 4.0?

You'll hate a 3.0 with a passion that will suprise and scare you.

True dat. Right after I went from my 99 3.0 stick to a new 02 4.0 SOHC auto, I had a business trip out to western Ohio. I was still used to my 3.0, came to a long hill on the Interstate and I could see an old RV up ahead doddering along in the right lane. I punched it and the tach would just bang off of redline and climb back up again like nothing. I actually passed someone on a hill! If I'd had my old 3.0 I would have ended up behind the RV with my blinkers on.

 

[AllanD]

I have yet to find a hill on an interstate I need to shift out of 5th to drive over it...

All I ever wantd when I was screaming over hills in 3rd gear at 4200rpm with my 2.9 was to be able to go over the same hill at 3000rpm in 4th.

the 4.0 does that at 1/2-2/3 throttle.

AD

 

[407Link]

i wouldn't get the 3.0 unless its a manual. I love my 3.0 it can tow my 22ft nautique(4000lbs+) with my jetski(350lbs) in the bed without any issues at the ramp or on the road. its also a single axle trailer

 

[93 4x4]

when i first bought my truck (4.0, 5 speed, 373's, and 33's) i towed our mustang and 18" double axle car trailer, (well over 5500lbs total) 100 mile round trip, doing 60+mph, with the ac on

 

[ronclark]

It isn't the "power" that you'll miss so much because according to HP numbers there really isn't all that much difference by the numbers.

where the difference is is the torque, and more importantly where the engine makes the torque.

To put it simply the 4.0 is already making more torque by the time it hits 1200rpm than a 3.0 will ever make without adding a supercharger (or Nitrous which is in essence "supercharger in a bottle")

the 4.0 just seems relaxed and effortless, the 3.0 screams and howls and doesn't seem to do much.

If you are used to a 4.0?

You'll hate a 3.0 with a passion that will suprise and scare you.

AD

+1 could not have said it better

 

[EMB1230]

The 3.0 seems like it shoulda been in a mid-size sedan not truck...

REALLY!? LOL!! The 3.0 WAS designed for a mid-size car: the Taurus!! Also, your barely loosing gas mileage with a 4.0, the 3.0 ONLY get 1-2 mpg more than a 4.0!

 

[DL BOGART]

2.9 v 3.0

How does the torque of a 3.0 compare to a 2.9? And reliability as well?

 

[ronclark]

How does the torque of a 3.0 compare to a 2.9? And reliability as well?

3.0 beats the 2.9 in reliability for sure
as for HP and Torque numbers there almost the same, it just were it makes the torque 2.9 low end and the 3.0 high end

2.9-Liter 1986-1992 140 @ 4600rpm 170 @ 2600rpm
3.0-Liter 2003-2004 154 @ 5200rpm 180 @ 3900rpm

 

[shane96ranger]

I have been quite impressed out of the reliability of the 5.0 I stuffed into my ranger... Beat the SNOT out of it all last year, and it hauled an organ from Indiana back home (720lbs in the bed)

My 4.0 I bought with 156K on it and a bad coil pack, Since I replaced the coil pack and tuned it up, it hasn't missed a beat.

I've been less impressed with the 3.0 reliability actually, I've replaced the belt tensioner on his truck twice, his alternator, and his CPS Spindle/sensor and it only has 78K on it!!!

Which version of the 4.0 did you have??