v6 milage questions

[redneckpunk]

After being ranger/Ford free for about 2 years I will be in the market soon to buy another truck (or possibly explorer). I had a 93 Ranger w/ 2.3 4x4 with the problematic electric shift and 128k miles before some a**hole totalled it. I will be looking for a v6 4x4 this time to pull my small boat and was looking for opinions on their reliability. I refuse to buy new and have been looking at 99-03 models. My concern is that a lot of these have 125k+ miles. What kind of life expectancy do the v6's have (of course maintanance etc plays a big roll)? If, for instance, I get one with 130k miles can I expect to see the 200k rollover before it tyres out? I figure if I can get one for $3500-4000 and it lasts me 3-4 years I cannot complain.

also, what kind of fuel milage, on average, can I expect?

Just looking for generalizations because I know so many factors play a role in answering these questions.

~RNP

 

[pillen140]

'95 3.0 liter in a 4x4 5spd. im getting about 22ish on the highway, 17 in the city. i would way rather have a 4.o for towing though. unless its a row boat.


edit.. oh, and my friend has i think 240,000 on his truck (exact same as mine)

 

[dru]

17-18 mpg, with my 3.0 auto. 50/50 stop and go, highway. easy on the pedal. rarely use a/c.

 

[bmosso3]

my 2000 4.0 auto 4x4 gets 15-20 mpgs (note: i have no mods. aftermarket exhuast and intake and other things are supposed to help so you can do better than this) It's got 112,xxx miles on it and no major problems so far. It feels like it has a lot of life left in it but then again how can you really tell... (knocks on wood)

 

[4x4junkie]

Seeing the V6s reach 200K is not unusual at all, many make it to 300K and beyond (IIRC, someone here had 600-something-K on their 2.9L). Proper maintenance is the critical variable though.

My '94 4.0L averages 17-18 around town, 21 or so HWY (thats lifted on 33" tires too).

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

theres more than one 300K mile 3.0 floating around on the boards.

in the years your looking at:

4.0 SOHC: crappy timing chain tensioners allow chains to rattle. its kind of a big deal to repair.

3.0: cam syncro shafts occasionally fail and take out the whole motor. make sure you change/lube it every 70K or so.

either v6 will tow an outboard boat just fine...the SOHC will obviously tow it faster. i tow all the time with my 3.0 and have no complaints.

 

[rurouni20xx]

my 93 3.0 4wd auto towed an 8k load 75 miles (metal to a scrapyard on overloaded 14 foot trailer) and only bent down the bumper, you can look at the pix on the ranger h.o. build of the bumper. it finally died at 280723 from an oil pump failure but still cranks just runs on 3 cylinders when it warms up and loses all oil pressure. if its got just a hair over 100k youve still got almost 200k left worth of life, i say go for it and either v6 will suit you fine, as long as it has been taken care of.

 

[cr_the_machinist]

I get an average of 16 mpg as of this winter with a 99 4.0 4x4 OD Auto. I have 88k on my 99

 

[redneckpunk]

Thanks guys. My current boat is just a 12ft aluminum that's light enough I could pull it with my Harley. But I am looking to upgrade to a larger 16ft aluminum that is a little heavier. My main concern is the longevity. Ii guess I'll just wait now until I get rid of the yukon and keep my eyes open.