should i hold out for a 4.0l?

[goldxlt]

im in the market for a new ranger and i have seen plenty of 4.0l and 3.0l but i wasnt sure which way to go, naturally i think 4.0 is bigger and therefore better but i wasnt sure if maybee the 3.0 would be better for a daily driver. i remember hearing that there really isnt much of a difference in mpg so im really thinking in terms of reliability, im looking to get some miles out of this thing.

i suppose i should specify that these are 2000 and newer

 

[spittinfire]

If you plan to do any towing get the 4.0. The 3.0 is a good motor, it likes to rev though. The 4.0 you're looking at (2001 and newer) is the SOHC which is a very good motor that has a good bit more power. After spending a lot of time in a 2.3 Ranger, 3.0 Ranger and several 4.0 Rangers I wouldn't even concider anything other than the 4.0. Until Ford puts a desiel in a Ranger I'm sticking with it. Just my $.02.

 

[Mac]

I'd sure go with the 4.0, having both the 3.0 2 wheel and a 4.0 4x4 right now.
Dave

 

[b_aldredeg]

yep go with the 4.0 there great motors i have gave mine hell and its held up great they also have lots of pulling power

 

[Maverick]

4.0 all the way. My truck has a 3.0 and even with 4.10's it starts quivering at the mere sight of any incline.

 

[blk02]

I love my new 4.0 so much more than the 3.0 I had its not even funny, my first gear pull is outrageously strong compared, it takes my dad's gt mustang all through 1st gear and half of 2nd (yea i know not long but still) and takes a chevy silverado with the 6.0 all the way up to my speed limiter. The 3.0 wouldnt stand a chance.

of course my opinion is purley on performance, for reliablitity, I have no idea, never had a problem with either.

 

[LittleBigFoot]

Come on now! The 3.0 isn't that bad!

I've done some amazing shit with my lill' 182 C.I.

She holds up at 65 goin down the highway pushin 35x15.5s with only 4.10s

I hauled a half yard of wet sand in the bed (sagged like none other) and she held up fine on the road.


Stock, and with a light foot I was getting a little over 20 mpg.

And I'm pretty sure the only way to kill a 3.0 for good is with a stick of TNT

Just my .02

 

[dogboy]

Other than my 4.0L, all I have driven is an '02 B2300 that we had for a short time. Personally, I would say go for the 4.0L, it is a fun little engine!

 

[michowski]

I love my 3.0. No problems pulling big loads, near bottomed out bed, reliability. I got a 93 ranger 3.0 4x4 and my buddy has a 4.0 94 2wd, both super's and I can take him with not much of a sweat. He also has stock tires and gearing were I have stock gearing with 31" tires. Im very happy with my 3.0

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

the 3.0 gets better mileage than the 4.0, usually by up to 15% or so.

the 3.0 is also more reliable than the 4.0...particularly the SOHC motor with its crappy tensioner setup.

however, the 3.0 is a sedan motor and ford hasnt quite figured that out yet. as a result, the auto trans. 3.0 rangers are dogs due to bad gearing and early shift points. if you do get a 3.0, try to get a 5 speed. with a manual trans and proper driving, the 3.0 can tow and haul just fine and makes an excellent choice for a daily driver.

of coarse the best way to decide which motor will best suite your needs is to take a test drive in each.

 

[blackbronc]

I've got a 2.9, 3.0 and 4.0. The 4.0 puts the others to shame power and drivabilitywise with only a slight penalty at the pump.

 

[Black'03LevelII]

my first ranger (the silver bullet) had a 3.0 and I'll be honest with ya minus the very minor oil leak that motor was a champ! ran strong and didn't seem like I could kill it. right now I have an '03 with the 4.0 SOHC and this thing rocks!! I average right around 20mpg with it as long as my right foot doesn't get to heavy or I'm not feeling to frisky (see also stupid ricer kid pissin' me off)

honestly take a drive in both and see which one ya like better, thats about the only to really make a dicision.

 

[goldxlt]

of coarse the best way to decide which motor will best suite your needs is to take a test drive in each.

i suppose this is the best i could do, unfortunatly all the 3.0ls ihave seen thus far are autos, but i do like the idea that you cant kill em

 

[LearjetMinako]

One good thing about a 3.0L, they are easy to find. Almost 90% of all Rangers that I see at the dealership are a 3.0L w/ an Automatic. 4.0L are rare. 2.3L can be found on the XL models. The rarest is trying to find any new Ranger with a standard transmission.

+1 for the diehard 3.0L. Can't really kill them. Only severe abuse can harm them. But even then, a good tune-up, and its alive again.

I'd go for the 4.0L. More power, just about the same MPG as the 3.0L, more fun to drive.

 

[rickcdewitt]

unfortunatly all the 3.0ls ihave seen thus far are autos, but i do like the idea that you cant kill em

the motor might be bulletproof but the POS automatic is far from it.my cousin went through two auto trannies in his 01 and while he was hard on it there were no neutral drops or much peeling out and he never hauled heavy loads.the auto robbed it of the power to even run down the freeway easily at 75.shitty mileage too.