Engine skipping at 80+

[xXJKING07Xx]

I have an '01 B3000 that I bought not too long ago. Whenever I hit 80, the truck acts like it doesn't want to go any faster, the rpms start skipping and it gets very jumpy.
It does have a rev limiter that limits at 3k rpms in neutral, not sure if that applies while it's driving, sort of new to this stuff. I can get it past 80 with some serious floor stomping, but worried that I'm going to break something.
Any thoughts?

 

[adsm08]

Have you considered the possibility that that's just as fast as she goes?

 

[xXJKING07Xx]

That may be the issue, but I hope not. I have a '03 Ranger with the 3.0 that has hit 140 before, I believe it's the same engine.

 

[adsm08]

Same engine, possibly a different tune. Ford put a speed limiter on all their cars starting in the late 90s. Many were around 90 MPH. What you described kinda sounds a lot like the speed limiter, it cuts fuel back and retards timing once you hit a certain speed.

 

[RonD]

Yes, engine should rev past 3,000 when in gear and speedometer is above 5MPH, '01 3.0l is rated as 150hp @ 4750 RPM and 190ft/lb @ 3650 RPM

Differential gearing of 3.08 would allow higher top end speeds.
Your new one may have 4.10 for better pulling and low end torque, less top speed.

But you should still be able to get past 80mph when you want.

I would first replace fuel filter, $10, and not too hard to do, limited high demand fuel flow would cause that symptom, i.e. feel like running low on gas.

And check exhaust flow, if exhaust is starting to get clogged up top end speed is where you first notice it, if exhaust has any back pressure at all then all the new air/fuel mix can not come into the cylinder, so engine starts losing power at that point.
Vacuum gauge can be helpful, if it starts to drop vacuum level at higher steady RPMs then exhaust is partially blocked.

 

[pjtoledo]

That may be the issue, but I hope not. I have a '03 Ranger with the 3.0 that has hit 140 before, I believe it's the same engine.

????

 

[SenorNoob]

I second the speed limiter statement. Sounds like exactly what my Mustang did at about 85 mph.

 

[naford]

My 02 FX4 auto with 4l is speed limited to 80 mph.