Most reliable Ranger configuration?

[stmitch]

3.0's last forever but you'll be lucky to get more than 20mpg long term. I think my vote goes to the 01+Duratec/5spd combo. They should be pretty bulletproof and will get about 30mpg on the hwy. They'll also be some of the newest trucks, so you're less likely to have age related issues with things like vacuum lines, brake lines, etc. The newest 3rd gen Ranger on the road is now 22 years old, and that's a long time for things to break down/corrode/ turn brittle/get hacked by previous owners, etc.
No matter what year, or configuration you end up with, definitely hold out for a manual transmission. They're generally more fun, get better fuel economy, and have far better long term reliability.

 

[sgtsandman]

I would agree with the Lima family of engines on a non 4X4 Ranger. Tough call on a 4X4 model. They each has their weak points. Maybe the most reliable engine would be a toss up between the 3.0 and the 2010-2011 4.0. The catch with the 4.0 is that if the time chains eat it, you will need to pull the engine and special tooling.

 

[Dirtman]

I would have put the dtech at the top of my list if not for the same reasons as the 4.0 sohc. Pain in the ass maintenance. With the 4.0 its timing chains, the dtech it's the egr valve and coolant lines that both require pulling the transmission for service. You could pretty much rebuild a entire 2.3 lima, 3.0, and 4.0 ohv without even taking it out of the truck. Ease of maintenance = reliability.

 

[Josh B]

I would have put the dtech at the top of my list if not for the same reasons as the 4.0 sohc. Pain in the ass maintenance. With the 4.0 its timing chains, the dtech it's the egr valve and coolant lines that both require pulling the transmission for service. You could pretty much rebuild a entire 2.3 lima, 3.0, and 4.0 ohv without even taking it out of the truck. Ease of maintenance = reliability.

How are you going to rebuild a 4.0 ohv without pulling the engine?
The book says pull the engine just to do a timing chain

 

[Dirtman]

OHV only has one timing chain on the front and is a simple job, it's just a pushrod motor. The SOHC has twin timing chains with one on the rear that cant be removed without pulling the engine.

 

[Josh B]

You don't have to pull the motor on a 93 4.0ohv?

 

[Dirtman]

The timing chain is on the front, one short simple chain. What would be the necessity of pulling the engine for that?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The timing chain is on the front, one short simple chain. What would be the necessity of pulling the engine for that?

Everything has to come out for a rebuild.

 

[Dirtman]

Why? Not questioning you. Never rebuilt a 4.0ohv. But it's a simple pushrod engine? I'm not talking about machining work. But timing chain, cam, heads, valvetrain, pretty much everything but the crank should be able to come out with the block in the truck? What makes it necessary to pull the engine?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Why? Not questioning you. Never rebuilt a 4.0ohv. But it's a simple pushrod engine? I'm not talking about machining work. But timing chain, cam, heads, valvetrain, pretty much everything but the crank should be able to come out with the block in the truck? What makes it necessary to pull the engine?

Overhaul is just doing the top end like you describe. Underhaul is just doing rod/main bearings and looking for obvious damage on the crank. Rebuild is everything.

 

[Dirtman]

Ok I mis-spoke. My point was the 4.0ohv can be fully serviced or maintained, pick your wording lol, without pulling the engine. Aka chain, cam, heads etc. Where the 4.0ohc and 2.3 duratec both have required basic maintenance items that require pulling the motor or trans. Aka timing chain, egr valve, and coolant hoses.

So there's nothing SHORT of a full rebuild that would require pulling a 2.3 lima, 3.0, or 4.0ohv.

 

[Snoranger]

OHV only has one timing chain on the front and is a simple job, it's just a pushrod motor. The SOHC has twin timing chains with one on the rear that cant be removed without pulling the engine.

You don't even have to pull the water pump to do the timing chain on a 4.0 OHV. You can leave it bolted to the timing cover and pull it as a whole assembly.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

If you keep it cool and dont mind noisy lifters.....i still say the 2.9 is the most reliable.

 

[adsm08]

Everything has to come out for a rebuild.

You should take that one up with @bobbywalter .

 

[Dirtman]

If you keep it cool and dont mind noisy lifters.....i still say the 2.9 is the most reliable.

How long did it take you to get yours running even close to normal? A year? Yea... super reliable.

Be honest, does it even run now without a cel? And I mean without you pulling the bulb out.