How reliable is the 2001 3.0 with the v6?

[lil_Blue_Ford]

It was years ago when I did my first all synthetic motor oil change. Cars didn't have computers then. I cranked up the engine. Lo and behold, the engine idled a hundred RPM faster. It may not have been "torquier" but it was a little bit peppier across the entire RPM range. It might have given me better mileage too. I didn't really measure or care. I do the same for the Vulcan today. It's still not fast, but it's one of many small changes that help.

I think I will try your "trick" when my automatic needs a rebuild.

My 92 Ranger with the A4LD, I threw a TransGo shift kit and everything else I could come up with at it. With the shift kit I drilled everything out to either the maximum or close to it. Doing it again, I’ll drill everything to the max. It wasn’t harsh shifting and that was some of my hesitation to go completely full bore. Took about a month of driving to work out all the little air pockets even doing the purge procedure twice. After that it was an animal. Smashing the gas from a stop with an empty bed would light up the back tires and if you were really on it you could sometimes get a little chirp out of second. Granted it’s a 4.0, but I’ve never had an automatic RBV do that. All the slushy shifts were gone, it had nice crisp shifts. I’m kinda bummed I did all the work and was just starting to enjoy it when someone smashed into me.

 

[Lefty]

My 92 Ranger with the A4LD, I threw a TransGo shift kit and everything else I could come up with at it. With the shift kit I drilled everything out to either the maximum or close to it. Doing it again, I’ll drill everything to the max. It wasn’t harsh shifting and that was some of my hesitation to go completely full bore. Took about a month of driving to work out all the little air pockets even doing the purge procedure twice. After that it was an animal. Smashing the gas from a stop with an empty bed would light up the back tires and if you were really on it you could sometimes get a little chirp out of second. Granted it’s a 4.0, but I’ve never had an automatic RBV do that. All the slushy shifts were gone, it had nice crisp shifts. I’m kinda bummed I did all the work and was just starting to enjoy it when someone smashed into me.

Bummer

 

[Li'l Work Truck]

I have Lakewood traction bars that were specifically meant for the Ranger. View attachment 140828

You think they're worth it for a 2.3? I will tow a little bit with it.

 

[Lefty]

You think they're worth it for a 2.3? I will tow a little bit with it.

I couldn't really say. I don't do a lot of towing, but traction bars of any kind will elimate axle wrap which certainly is worse when pulling heavy loads.

 

[scotts90ranger]

I can feel axle wrap on my '97 2.3L, I contemplate traction bars of some form but haven't gotten there yet... but I haven't gotten to many of my ideas on that yet...

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

You think they're worth it for a 2.3? I will tow a little bit with it.

Improving traction is typically not a bad idea in any situation.

 

[cbxer55]

Very good. No doubt you've noticed those smoother shifts. Nice wheels, by the way.

Those rims are Cragar Magmasters. Made in 1974. Only made for four years. Fronts are 7 inch wide, rears are 8.5. But they are 14 inch. Selection of tires for them is not so good. Fortunately TA Radials on the back, 245s.

 

[Lefty]

Those rims are Cragar Magmasters. Made in 1974. Only made for four years. Fronts are 7 inch wide, rears are 8.5. But they are 14 inch. Selection of tires for them is not so good. Fortunately TA Radials on the back, 245s.

They have that old school look, yes

 

[Lefty]

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.

Mine is still young at a hundred and sixty thousand. I bought it used and ironed out the bugs. I had a bad alternator and ignition. The spark plug wires needed replaced. Mileage and acceleration were not up to snuff, but easily fixed with seafoam into the engine, gas tank (to clean injectors), and in the crank case. It's been fine ever since, runs right at manufacturer's performance specs.

You might wish to try the zip tie throttle cable adjustment trick for improved accelerator response. You might also want to replace the hoses and belt.

 

[cbxer55]

They have that old school look, yes

Should have seen them when I first got them. They were Fugly. They came off a clapped out 74 Chevelle in a barn somewhere in Texas. Took me about a week per rim, to get them where I'd put them on the truck. They're called Slotted Mags. Other companies made them, but the Cragars looked the best.

And yes, I am 65 years of age. Old School is my moto. I also have a 2004 Ford Lightning and three bad-ass motorcycles, all Old School.

 

[superj]

i always liked those slotted mags. classic hot rod look