Bucking frequently now even at low RPMs

[014dr3.0]

2005 2 Wheel Dr. 3 L Ranger “Edge“. For a long time it seems to misfire while I am driving at highway speeds. It lurches. To me it seems like one or two pistons didn’t fire and then it resumes normal operation. It was completely random. After a while, I think I started to realize there was a correlation between accelerating and this lurch. I didn’t do anything about it. I kept telling myself I was gonna do something about it, but it wasn’t a big enough problem to motivate me. Now it seems to be bucking stuttering at low speed acceleration. It’s distressing because I don’t wanna have the engine die in the middle of nowhere and have to get towed. I ask this question once before, but nobody replied. What the hell is causing this low speed acceleration bucking stuttering problem?! Terrified! I don’t want to have to take it into the shop!

Hi William. I have something of a similar situation with my 2001 Ranger which also has the 3.0 V6 engine that is paired with the overdrive Automatic Transmission. Perhaps the suggested fix for me will lead to the fix for you. My Ranger always misfires like its misfiring or starving for fuel whenever the RPMs are at 3200. Below 3200 the V6 runs very smoothly and above 3200 it runs also runs very smoothly, but right at 3200 the engine always bucks. I posted about this issue on this forum quite awhile ago. I received one reply asking if the 3200 RPM issue also occurred when the truck was parked and the engine was rev'd to 3200. I checked, and it does. Anyone know what this may indicate? Over time I have replaced all the plugs, the wires, the coil pack and I've cleaned the Mass Airflow sensor. The truck always runs smooth as silk, with the exception of when the engine is at 3200 RPM. Anyone have a suggestion as to what I else I should try to attempt remedy the issue? Thanks,
Mark.

 

[pjtoledo]

does it eventually go over 3200?
with or without OD?
even in 1st?

the computer has a program that protects the transmission/torque converter.
it limits rpms to about 3000 when in park or neutral.
and when it thinks it's in park or neutral