Supercabs with 4 bangers. Enough power?

[joe.dollar]

Im looking for another Ranger. I currently own a stepside regular cab with a 3L 5 speed. I'm really happy with the power of this truck. Great acceleration and decent power with a box full of firewood or garden soil. Not bad fuel economy for a V6.

I've been looking at extended cabs recently and have run across several with 4 cylinders in them. I'm wondering how the 4 cylinder performs in the larger truck? If you've driven or owned a 3L or 4L, how would you compare them power wise and/ or fuel economy-wise?

Any opinions greatly appreciated!

 

[Mark_88]

I just finished (well, not quite) replacing a 2.9 with a 2.3 but haven't actually driven it yet...but you will find a big power diff between 4.0 and 2.3/2.5...not so much diff between the 2.9/3.0 though...and the fuel consumption can be better...but not necessarily if you are carrying a lot of weight or towing something...or if you have a heavy foot...

The nice thing is you can turbo a 2.3 and have the best of both worlds...

 

[Sevensecondsuv]

Before I turbo'd it, my ranger just had a regular dual plug 2.3. I had the factory shorty header from a 94 on it and 3.73 gears in the rear end. It had plenty of power and acceleration, even with a light load. I hauled several tons of pea gravel (one bedful at a time) on one occasion and it still had plenty of power. Now granted that was a regular cab, put a supercab only adds about 300 lbs to the truck I think. A super cab w/ a 2.3 might be a little slow but if you get it with the factory header and 3.73 or 4.10 gears it should move just fine. Just don't plan on winning any races in it.

 

[RobbieD]

A 2.3L Super Cab truck is great as a daily driver, in that it gets good mileage and the extra interior space is great. With one or two occupants, there's adequate power. But you will notice a difference in power compared to any of the trucks with a larger V6, and hauling any kind of heavy loads (like firewood or garden soil) will be a struggle, and should'nt be done often. In my case, I use the SC 4 banger as the daily driver / human transporter, and an older 2.8L Regular Cab long box as the heavy hauler.

 

[97ranger xlt]

it's ok .. i was surprised it could pull a 2000lb boat/trailer no problem even with the 5spd. as another member said, you aren't going to win any grand prix's with it but who cares? it does it's job. oh and the extra cab is essential in my opinion. it took me 3 months to find
mine.

 

[92ranger2wd]

yeah, they aren't too bad. Passing people can take some planning. Occasional hauling with a 2.3 ext cab isn't bad, and about what you'd expect for a 4 cylinder. If you haul more often, or simply want the power, get a six. I tried hauling a full box of firewood once with my ext cab ranger. The 2.3 had enough power to move it, but the rear squatted to the point where i thought it was going to break something. I now have an old GMC 3/4 ton for heavy hauling. For daily driving though, i love my 2.3L ext cab. 28mpg's in the summer, unloaded, and enough power for most of my needs. Definitely get the 5spd tranny, and 4.10 gearing.

 

[joe.dollar]

Good info. Thanks for all the input gents.

That turbo idea sounds interesting. Are people just grabbing the turbo setup from a 4 cyl Mustang or something? Would the computer get confused if a turbo is added and intake airflow is increased and such?

 

[Beanmachine7000]

I love the 2.3... after owning two Lima engines one that went over 250k miles and still runs and one that's at 188k I think it's one of Ford's best engines... We flat towed my BII with my 2.5 Ranger, It didn't really even notice it back there... I wouldn't have anything else unless you plan on towing alot...