ok first fill up, 2002, 3.0 auto 2 wheel drive driving conservativly got only 20 mpg??? any suggestions? maybe has original plugs? whats a good plug for this engine?

 

sounds about right to me. I wish I got 20 in mine.

 

well i think its pathetic! my 1988 2.9 four wheel drive gets 20! i thought the newer engines would be better????

 

I think that is what my little brother's 02 Ranger Edge gets, it's the super cab 2wd 3.0/ auto. What is the gear ratio in your rear axle? My brother has 4.10s in his truck, gearing does play a pretty big factor in fuel economy. I have heard of the 2.9 being famous for great gas mileage, especially with a manual trans.
John

 

That's about right. On long trips I get about 20-22

 

Same here with a '03' 3.0L Auto in a Ext cab, 3.73 gears. About the same I was getting with the '05' 4.0L 4x4 manual w/4.10's. The 3.0's never know to be mileage champs.
Dave

 

i dont know what the rear end gears are but at 60 mph in overdrive the tach shows about 2100 rpm

 

To answer your plug question. Just get motorcraft replacements

 

I second that nomination for OEM plugs. They will work the best.

 

Yeah, its about par, the 3.0L is not a new engine. The 3.0L is the Vulcan, which dates back to the 80's and to be honest, has not had any serious internal updates since then, it is still a cast iron block pushrod engine. It might get better mileage or at least more power had Ford opted to use the 3.0L Duratec in the Ranger, but that would have driven the price tag up.

 

sounds like 3.73's i have that gearing and am turning around 2,000 rpm in overdrive @ 55mph. with the 3.0 4.10's would be a better choice, that motor makes its power higher in the rpm range than some of the other ranger engines. my 4.0 at best has gotten 19.5 highway, mostly gets around 17. in town its about 15, and during the winter is 14-15. the 3.0 isnt know for great mpg, but it is known for being a long-life engine.

 

I've had both of the 4.0L's in basically the same truck and the new OHC motors do a couple of MPG better, somethink else to think about.
Dave

 

I dissagree, In my opinion the 3.0V6 would bennefit from a much higher gear such as a 3.08.

My dad's old 98 Taurus had the 3.0 Vulcan and cruised at lower rpm than his 2000 Ranger 3.0 auto 3.73 gear. Taurus did 25 average with 28 highway and Ranger does 19 average 22 highway. Weight is similar between the two.

I bought a 88 Ranger supercab 4x4 2.9V6 5speed with 3.73 gear new. I got 18 city delivering pizza's and 23 highway at 60mph, 20 average.

My 99 4x2 supercab 2.5 5speed 4.10 gear is not much better overall. I average 22 overall and if weather nice can hit27-28mpg at 60-65mph.

 

You do realize that car and truck gear ratios aren't equivalent right?

 

Exactly! that is why I said The Ranger could use a higher rear gear. The Taurus ran at a lower RPM at same speed than the Ranger. I would put $ on a bet if the 3.73 were swapped for a 3.08 the highway MPG would go up.