How does 4.0L SOHC compare to 3.0L Vulcan?...

[fixizin]

... in terms of longevity, reliability, ease of service, etc.??

From test driving, there's really little to no "butt dyno" increase with the 4.0... which is kinda sad given 33% more boom-boom room.

Just wondering... might be picking up another RBV later this summer.

Ford seems to really be pushing the 4.0 in the 2008 Rangers, if you want anything more than 2WD, short bed, tiny cab... i.e. you want ext. cab?... gotta get the 4.0... 4WD?... sign-up for the 4.0, etc.

 

[Big Jim M]

I presently own one of each.. The 3. is automatic and the 4. is stick. Both are 4x4 4:11 stended cabs. The 4. gets at least 3 mpg better than the 3. at every tank. From a light they are about equal in performance. The auto really helps the 3. gain speed. Oh yeah, both are wearing 31 inch tires.
The 3. is a 1999 and the 4. is a 2002.
I wouldn't even consider another 3. after owning the 4.!!
Big JIm

 

[cr_the_machinist]

Now the question is the 4.0 OHV vs. the 4.0 SOHC. I'm running an OHV and it's got the nice low-end torque. Hows that SOHC compair? I know the SOHC have better numbers all around but the OHV's torque kicks in those lower RPM's. I've just been woundering, I've never owned a SOHC 4.0. Maybe I'll have to stop by the dealship someday and con some salesmen into lettin' test drive one haha.

 

[MAKG]

The 4.0L OHV and SOHC appear to be very similar up to (near) the OHV's power peak.

 

[cr_the_machinist]

Thats cool, never really found any good horsepower and torque curves out there to study.

 

[Big Jim M]

Thats cool, never really found any good horsepower and torque curves out there to study.

The sohc has a VARIABLE intake! It keeps the velocity of the incoming mixture at a maximum for the present rpm's. Although I havn't investigated deeply into the shape and the works of the thing it seems to work really well. I've got lots of bottom and then lots of top end if I need it.
The engine is of German design and is currently in several different German cars in Europe.
It is being manufactured under license by Ford in this country.
I wouldn't even consider the older engine anymore.
Big JIm

 

[MAKG]

Hmm, I thought the 4.0L OHV and 2.9L were also of German design. As well as the 2.8L, which wasn't exactly the best idea (mechanical linkages and computer control aren't the best combination). Given the LLOONNNGGGG history of Bosch in EFI, one would expect better.

 

[cr_the_machinist]

Yup, the OHV's were also outta Germany. They all got there unquie ping and rattle it seems like. Probably replace my rods and lifters soon. They got the crappiest oil circulation up there not to mention how much of a peice of crap the oil pressure sending units on those engines are.

 

[Dusty_Ranger]

would the top end of the cosworth 2.9 bolt on a normal 2.9?

 

[Dusty_Ranger]

srry random

 

[fixizin]

...
I wouldn't even consider another 3. after owning the 4.!!
Big JIm

Why? You say all things are equal, except the MPG, and that could be due to the automatic, yes/no?

With my flush decklid and M5OD, I get 25-26MPG hwy, @ 71mph, and that's with the raised-up 4WD-Sport stance... does the 4.0L SOHC do better than that?

 

[4x4RangerGuy]

The 3.0 isn't a fast motor by any means; it's known for its reliability and longevity first and foremost. They don't die.

The 4.0 is powerplant of choice if you're looking for ease of driving/speed/etc. They are solid motors too, but not as solid as the 3.0

It depends on what you want and your driving style. Both motors do well for what they were designed for.

 

[Big Jim M]

Why? You say all things are equal, except the MPG, and that could be due to the automatic, yes/no?

With my flush decklid and M5OD, I get 25-26MPG hwy, @ 71mph, and that's with the raised-up 4WD-Sport stance... does the 4.0L SOHC do better than that?

Perhaps I misspoke.. The 3. is not as responsive as the 4., in my case anyway. It takes longer to get to speed, unless it is floored and wound up. With my 4. I can shift at 18/1900 rpm to the next gear higher. However with the 3. and automatic one must keep more pedal and hence more rpm to get up to speed.
While hiway'n with the cruze engaged, 5th gear is good for most any hill with the 4.. But the 3. constantly downshifts to a lower gear to keep it's speed up. So no, all things are not truly equal, when all things are considered.
Having them both for the last 3 years I have been able to decide which I like to drive best. Although I prefer the automatic in most vehicles the 3. engine just turns too many rpm to keep up to suit me. So I drive the 4. daily and have given the 3. to my son.
Big JIm

 

[AllanD]

If "Butt dyno" reading don't tell you where the 4.0OHV is strong you are keeping it spinning too fast.

I find it easier to compare the 4.0OHV to the 2.9.

the 2.9 makes it's peak torque of 170ft/lb @2600rpm.

The 4.0OHV is making 170ft/lb by around 1100rpm and 200ft/lb by 1300ish
peaks at 225ft/lb (rpm depends on exact calibration) and makes 170ft/lb
right to just short of the rev limiter.

In point of fact you can arbitrarily pick ANY rpm between 2400 and 3200rpm
as the 4.0OHV torque peak because the torque simply doesn't change by
more than 5-7ft/lb across that entire plateau and makes atleast 200ft/lb
off either end of that range.
but in all your looking you won't find anywhere in the entire 4.0 rev range
from 1000rpm up where it isn't making more torque than a 3.0

The 4.0SOHC makes a bit less torque below... 1700rpm or so than the OHV
and extends the rev range by 800-1000 rpm on the top end, that's were the extra power of the SOHC engine comes from.

AD

 

[fixizin]

SO... what I'm hearing is... no reason to AVOID the latter-day 4.0 SOHC, should a "deal" come along. It's not like they have a bad rep for cracked heads or cams flying loose or anything...

I just remember test-driving a 1999 Mazda B4000, manual, on some hilly roads, and thinking while it SOUNDED a bit different than the 3.0 Ranger, there really wasn't any extra G-force grabbing my @ss, let alone 33% more.

Given the significant price diff to the B3000 at that dealer, I guess I was expecting a "V8" neck-snapping experience, lol...