I'm looking at an '03 Ranger Edge with the 3.0 engine.
I'm seeing accounts that the AUTOMATIC transmission is a 5 speed unit.....is this correct? (2wd, btw) Thanks!

 

If it's a 3.0L then it should have the 5R44E which is a 5-speed automatic tranny.

 

I thought the 3.0s got the 4 speed auto and the 4.0s got the 5 speed auto?

 

Prior to '01, the 3.0L Ranger came with the 4R44E (4-speed) auto tranny.

 

cool!

 

OK, GREAT!! Thanks! I ended up buying the '03 Edge with 88k!!
So it does in fact have the 5R44E trans, that's cool.
I was shocked to find out that it has the 4.10.1 rear gear ratio.......guess the 5th gear makes up for that steep gear at highway speeds??

Anyone know what RPM the 3.0 is the most efficient as far as fuel mileage goes?

 

OP: "I was shocked to find out that it has the 4.10.1 rear gear ratio.......guess the 5th gear makes up for that steep gear at highway speeds??"

Yes, this is correct, plus it helps you get into the best power range of the 3.0, making it more driveable, thereby more fun to drive.

Get the transmission fluid flushed out and replaced, especially if it's never been done before.

Take good care of the truck and it will serve you well! Congrats.

 

Thanks guys! never been a fan of trans flushing, I'm from the old school and like the splash and dash method better-I like removing the pan, cleaning it well, replacing the filter, and replacing whatever fluid was lost/drained......don't know yet if the 5R44E has a drainable converter or not yet.

I have already changed the engine oil.....I like the Mobil 1 5w20 full synthetic, and of course a MOTORCRAFT filter.

MY truck with stock size 23575R15 tires, 2wheel drive turns almost 3k rpm at 70mph, about 2500rpm at 60mph...

I think I'd like to re-gear......most are saying that the 3.0 Vulcan engine does best economy wise at 2k rpm, and if this is in fact correct I SERIOUSLY need to re-gear.

Poor little 3.0 seems to be screeming at 3k and really burning up the gas too.

 

nothing wrong with flushing tranny. I do it all the time.
The key is don't let any of the oil change places con you into letting them do it because they use high pressure and chemicals.
Your tranny has a built in pump - so use

Drain tranny,
pull pan off engine.
clean magnets and tranny mud out of the pan.
replace strainer at your option.
install new gasket and install pan.

dump 4 qts atf in the tranny.

crack open the tranny line that comes out of the radiator. This is how you clean your converter. Connect a hose from your radiator/tranny cooler to a jug that has 1 qt markings. I have an old gallon milk jug where I marked off 3 qts.
Turn motor on and wait for 1 qt to fill jug. This may take 20 to 30 seconds. Turn motor off and put 1 qt fresh ATF back into the tranny. Keep doing this in 1 qt increments until ATF coming out the hose is new red and not brown dirty.
Once this is done, fill tranny to cold mark on dipstick. Run as normal and when engine is hot, under normal driving conditions, continue to check the markings on the dipstick and fill until you have the correct level on the HOT marking. Don't over fill cause it's a pain to drain extra out.

 

Crap. Congrats. My 08' XLT 3.0 has 87,000 miles!