Are the different motors for the ranger equally good?

[bluebombersfan]

I have A 2.3L and I have always found it to be a good engine. I am thinking to get a 3L V6 but was just wondering if one tends to have less trouble then the other.
A friend of mine had a 4L and would eat up alot of oil, my 2.3 has never had that problem.

 

[veefer800canuck]

My 4.0 used a little oil when I got it, but I did all the top end gaskets, to cure a coolant leak, and changed the valve seals while I was at it, and it hasn't used any oil since.

 

[srteach]

My 4.0 doesn't even eat 1 quart in 6000miles. It has 175K on the clock.

The reliability of any engine is more of an indication of how it was maintained than anything else. Design has lots to do with reliability, but only at the beginning of its' usable life. After that, maintenance is the key factor in how it runs / lasts.

 

[EMB1230]

Like the others have mentioned, proper maintenance goes a LOOOONG way. Having said that, avoid the 3.0, they were very reliable, but they get the same gas mileage as a 4.0 and only have slightly more power than the Duratec 2.3, they also used the same lighter duty transmission as the Lima 2.3/2.5 & Duratec 2.3.

 

[InsaneRedRooster]

3.0 getting same gas mileage as 4.0? I'm sorry I have to call BS I've gotten as good as 20mpg city with a light foot, my friends 4.0 is like 17 on a good day
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[pcollins]

3.0 getting same gas mileage as 4.0? I'm sorry I have to call BS I've gotten as good as 20mpg city with a light foot, my friends 4.0 is like 17 on a good day
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My 4.0L used to get 21.5 MPG on a daily basis. It was a 1997 4x4 with almost 200k miles on the clock.

Your friend obviously needs to do some maintnence. My 4.0L when I had it also never used a lick of oil even with nearly 200k miles on it. No engine should burn oil.

 

[triumphrider-1]

I have A 2.3L and I have always found it to be a good engine. I am thinking to get a 3L V6 but was just wondering if one tends to have less trouble then the other.
A friend of mine had a 4L and would eat up alot of oil, my 2.3 has never had that problem.

If your looking to get a 3.0L, try to get one with 4.10:1 gearing. This goes very well with the motor design, similarly to the four cylinder Rangers.

Longevity and the maintenance needed will vary depending on previous owners maintenance habits, as previously mentioned.

3.0 getting same gas mileage as 4.0? I'm sorry I have to call BS I've gotten as good as 20mpg city with a light foot, my friends 4.0 is like 17 on a good day
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My 4.0L used to get 21.5 MPG on a daily basis. It was a 1997 4x4 with almost 200k miles on the clock.

Your friend obviously needs to do some maintnence. My 4.0L when I had it also never used a lick of oil even with nearly 200k miles on it. No engine should burn oil.

Driving cycle, driver habits, environmetal conditions, among other things, will vary the mileage. I've gotten a best of just under 25mpg and a worst of 14mpg with my ranger.

 

[ES894x4]

the vulcan had a plastic cam synchro, if that goes out your in for an expensive day. its like $100 for a new one though so replacing it for cheap insurance isnt too bad. other then that the 3.0 is hard hard to kill

 

[EMB1230]

the vulcan had a plastic cam synchro, if that goes out your in for an expensive day. its like $100 for a new one though so replacing it for cheap insurance isnt too bad. other then that the 3.0 is hard hard to kill

Also, regular coolant flushes are key to keep from blowing a HG, that and the heater cores clog easily.

 

[triumphrider-1]

the vulcan had a plastic cam synchro, if that goes out your in for an expensive day. its like $100 for a new one though so replacing it for cheap insurance isnt too bad. other then that the 3.0 is hard hard to kill

This depends on which year the 3.0L is; it didn't get the cam synchronizer until it went to distributor-less ignition ('95 or '97, I can't remember which at the moment).

 

[EMB1230]

This depends on which year the 3.0L is; it didn't get the cam synchronizer until it went to distributor-less ignition ('95 or '97, I can't remember which at the moment).

1995 in RWD applications: Aerostar, Ranger. 96 in FWD apps: Taurus, Windstar.

 

[mp3deviant721]

I used to DD a 4.0. Got decent gas mileage for what it was. Had over 220k and the tail pipe is clean. It does leak oil but not bad enough to the point where I have to add between oil changes. The 2.3 I have now gets really good gas mileage and seems to run pretty good despite the fact that it looks like it has been neglected. I'm thinking of trying a 3.0 now that I've had a 2.3 and a 4.0. I just wanna try all before really passing judgment on a certain engine. And I'm sure the 3.0 is going to have its strengths. Just really depends on what you are using the truck for.


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