3.0L vs 4.0L

[tedcrf450]

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

 

[adsm08]

Probably. The 3.0 is for going down the road, carrying groceries and small loads. The 4.0 is doing work. You sir, are doing work.

 

[mp3deviant721]

You'd be disappointed. My friend has a 3.0 and I have ridden in that thing and it is slower than my 4.0. Although I wish I had a 3.0, my truck is only a daily driver.

 

[02RangerXLT]

Yes, quite. The 3.0 is sluggish. Its strictly a truck to just drive around, don't be expecting to have a good time pulling any sort of load or hauling any sort of weight.

 

[RollinWOT]

4L=power 3L=durability. I have the 3L and yes, while it will haul a fully loaded ranger up a mountain, it take a long while. Get the 4L if you have the chance. The 3L isn't a terrible engine, it just doesn't make much power. You have to weigh your options. More power or more durability? Since you do hauling, I would definately suggest the 4L.

 

[Blackdog455]

compared to the 2.3 the 3.0 has amazing power haha! Drove my 2.3 for the longest time, co-worker needed me to go pick up his ranger (had the 3.0)....needless to say, i was jealous.

But comparing the 4.0 to the 3.0, the 4.0 outdoes it in the areas you would be using it for.

 

[adsm08]

The 3L isn't a terrible engine, it just doesn't make much power.

And what it does make, it makes up high.

 

[Mac]

I've had both and the later SOHC 4.0lL wins in all accounts, mileage, performance, towing and anything else.
Dave

 

[JohnnyO]

My first Ranger was a 99 4x4 Supercab with a 3.0, 5 speed, 3.73 gears. Slow as molasses in winter. At the top of hills on the Interstate I'd be in 3rd gear with my foot to the floor and lucky to do 55 mph, and that was empty. Only upside is that it was good on gas.

 

[shane96ranger]

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.

 

[ronclark]

i have driven a few 3.0L and there slow and for towing well my 2.9L could out tow it any day of the week.
so i was disappointed with the power of the 3.0L over the 2.9L, just no low end power.
+1 for reliability though

 

[4.0B2]

the 4.0 is awesome compared to the 3.0... i've drove both in newer rangers. but the 4.0 wins everything. if you are towing-- you'll want the 4.0!!!

 

[Surrey]

I would take a 2.9 over the 3.0.
The 3.0 seems like it shoulda been in a mid-size sedan not truck...

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Crazy how everyone knocks the 3.0L.......

I drove one for years and used it a good bit for towing/hauling - properly set up it will do the job. I ran a 2wd 5-speed with 3.73 gears only because I did a lot of highway with it, but 4.10s would have helped at times. When going up a long grade loaded down, you have to keep the rpms up - the 3.0l power band is 3-5k rpms, as long as you're in that range, you're good.

Auto trans steal too much power from the 3.0 and are often (from what I've seen) geared too high, thus the accusation that they are worthless.

With my Ranger I towed/hauled:

A stock 1988 Bronco II Eddie Bauer on a tow dolly nearly 800 miles
A 1989 Bronco II choptop 2wd on 31" tires on a tow dolly ~400 miles
My 1989 Bronco II choptop in it's lifted 4x4 on a tow bar ~300 miles
Over a ton of limestone in the bed several times
A lifted YJ Jeep on a tow bar ~200 miles
Several trips with an enclosed 6'x10' motorcycle trailer ~350 miles and a couple trips ~200 mi
Many trips hauling unknown amounts of weight - but the bed was piled high!

 

[straycat]

I have a few friends with the 3.0 (Ford and Mazda) and they haul stuff all the time. One buddy hauls feed with his Mazda 3.0. several days a week, plus, he hauls wood, roofing equipment every week for one of his jobs. He got rid of his 2003 4.0 Ranger and got a new 2006 3.0 and already has put over 90,000 on it as a dd. He says that the 3.0 has saved a lot of money on gas bills.

One of my buddies has a trailer that he takes the lawn equipment out
everyday for his job. He has put over 130,000 miles on he 2005 3.0 Ranger and he gets good gas milage as well he claims. Now...if he lived in a very hilly area it would not be so good. So, there are good and bad things about the 3.0 to 4.0 motors. Better gas mileage with the 3.0 for one thing.

If you are only thinking about all out performance and don't care about gas milage then stomp on that pedal as much as you want to and get that 4.0.....after all... it will be YOUR TRUCK!!! Get want you want and don't care about what others will say about you.


$6.00 a gallon gas is coming very soon to a scary gas station near you!!!!