How reliable is the 2001 3.0 with the v6?

[SuperE]

It goes without saying, the MPG of the 4.0 with the power of the 2.3 joke aside....
Someone ran a stop sign and totaled my well maintained 96 manual 2.3 work ranger so i am in need of a new ranger. I didnt choose the ranger life, the ranger life chose me.
I am now in my early 40s, have been working on cars since my teens, and have only ever had manuals and i am quite tired of the clutch pedal now as my life draws closer to the grave. I am mostly ignorant of reliability of auto transmissions in general. I replaced almost EVERYTHING in my poor 96 except the fuse box and shortblock in my old ranger so working on stuff is not an issue but my knowledge ends at the auto trans. The truck in question has about 191k IIRC.
Any input is appreciated.

 

[scotts90ranger]

From what I've heard the 3L is as reliable as the 2.3L as long as you keep it cool. On the autos I think they're ok as long as you keep them cool as well, what shape it's in at those miles is another story that depends on how it's been treated... as long as the fluid isn't dark and smells burnt it's probably fine but wouldn't be bad to add another cooler in line of the stock one and change the fluid and filter.

 

[superj]

The 3.0 is the most reliable engine option for the rangers. Its not the most powerful but the only things more dependable is taxes and death.

The engine is rock solid.

 

[scotts90ranger]

"Most" is a stretch but from what I hear it's a close race between the Lima, 3.0 and Duratec (can't use displacements for obvious reasons on the 4 cylinders...), when I was looking for a new DD I wanted a 2.3L for familiarity mostly but contemplated a Duratec for the slight MPG boost... finding a good option for $450 just sealed the deal... but I also wanted 5 speed because I'm familiar with that too, I'm as well 44ish and get it but shifting is what I do... , my next offroad build is auto instead of 5 speed and I'm sticking with that, my inner child wants to switch to 5 speed but just mashing the pedal is nice...

 

[cbxer55]

Well, I have had a 98 3.0 for 28 years. Never had much issue with it. Transmission has never been an issue, period. But, I do change the fluid ad filter occasionally. Twice in 28 years.

Only thing, and it probably isn't just this vehicle, every sensor on the truck has been changed multiple times. With exception of the o2 sensors, which are still stock at 206,000, and yes, it still runs.

 

[Lefty]

Yes, reliable, but boring. At least the four ten rear end makes jack rabbit starts fun.