I would like to know if the 4.0 V-6 is a good, reliable engine.
It is new to me and I am thinking of buying a 2003 Ranger 4X4 with the 4.0 in it. Need an objective opinion. Thanks

 

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Yup, both the SOHC and the OHV flavors of the 4.0 V6 are darn good motors.

 

Thanks for your help

 

OHV is more reliable, SOHC has better perfomance

 

Engines from Ford are all good.

 

I agree! Yes. Unfortunatly trannies are not all so good, especially A4LD (4r44e), AXOD and AX4N.... Made in Germany manuals are really good.

 

Yeah, but the mazda m5od really sux.

 

'99 Ranger x-cab, 3.0, 2x4, "Sport"
Sorry to read Pablo's opinion of 4r44e trans. I have 96,000 on mine and hope to keep it much longer - just changed fluid, runs like a watch. Never had a problem of any kind.

 

Keep 'er cool and keep your fluid changed and you shouldn't have a problem. I've got almost 190k on my original A4LD in my Explorer and only replaced the torque converter lockup solenoid. I also have an external cooler on it which makes a huge difference.

 

Well, Pablo has had a lot of bad experiences with A4LDs. My opinion is that they are realiable so long as the fluid and filters are routinely changed and the correct fluid is used. Also, using a plate type cooler helps, as does knowing how to use the OD properly. Basically, the OD should be disabled if the load is causing it to unlock.

 

Unfortunatly ford EU has small and reliable manual trannies, Ford USA uses M5OD R1 that reliable only with 4-cyl. engine. This problem is unsolved for many years. T5 is much better.

 

I'm not a big fan of the T-5 myself. It was okay behind the 4cyl engines but I've destroyed several with a 302. I'll stick to my Tremec TKO anyday. But back to the original part of the post.......Yes, the 4.0 SOHC which is what would be in the 2003 Ranger is a good engine. I've heard of many people getting lots of good miles out of them. I have almost 52K on my 2004 and no motor problems at all. I have had clutch problems and a few other things here and there go bad but nothing too serious.

 

About clutch... There are aftermarket long life clutch kits. Swapping tranny I got Valeo kit in my aero in 2003. Newer had problems, but for this time I replaced MC and Slave cyl. (I have external) Disk, pressure plate and other parts are still OK! I inspected clutch twice.

What can I say about M5OD.... yes, this is not the best tranny, but usuall 5th gear grinding sound does not cause all tranny to fail. It does not means that you are to call tow truck. You will have noise in 3rd and 5th but nothing else fails. So ignoring this sound you may go on driving. To repare this tranny is easy and chip. One DIYer's weekend.

Failed auto usually makes truck stop ore lets run on 1st gear. Ignoring auto problems cause more expencive repare ore tranny replacement. Not so many owners can fix auto home...

 

Absolutely!! Out of all the makes I've owned in my lifetime the 4.0L has been the best motor hands down. All I have ever done to my 4.L other than basic tune-ups is replaced the idler and stationary belt pulleys at 175,000 mi and re-torqued my lower and upper intakes at 150,000 mi.

She uses or loses no oil between 5000+ oil changes. She is just now starting to show a bit of oil seepage in front and back seals but is not leaking enough to lose any oil, just needs wiped off a bit during oil changes.

Great motor!