lookin at picking up a cheap ranger for next to nothing, what mpgs can i expect from a 4.0 v6 5 speed 4x4. gonna use it for commuting only, back and forth to school

 

The search function is your friend if you don't find the detail your looking for here.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...nger-list.html

 

My '96 spec'd as above is currently running 20-21 with 235/75-15s and a 3.27 gearing. Mostly highway (55,65,70 mph)

And as Paw states, the search here works very nicely. What year are you looking at?

 

94,95 i believe. thanks man

 

The OHV will not be as efficient as the SOHC. You should expect around 18

 

My '96 is an OHV. I wasn't aware they put the SOHC engines in the Rangers.

I had found however that my daughter's SOHC Explorer was not as fuel efficient as her previous OHV 4.0 though.

 

You'll do better with a 4 cylinder, but at the right price, the 4.0 might work...for awhile.

 

My 4.0 SOHC gets about 20-21 on the highway.

I have a friend with an 4.0 OHV and he's been averaging 18 and he has an extended cab 4x4

 

Lately, I've been averaging around 18-19 overall with my 4.0 SOHC and 4.10 gears... A lot of it depends on how you drive it...

 

OP states that he is looking at a 94 or 95 SC 4.0L, 4x4, 5sp. As the SOHC was not an option until mid-2001 that removes it from the equation.

 

how reliable is the 3.0 v6? found one even cheaper with the 3.0

 

The 3.0 will last a very long time. It lacks on power though

 

The pushrod Vulcan 3.0L is called the 3slow, because it sorta lacks in low end torque.
In 99 the Vulcan had 150 hp @ 5K rpm/185 lb-ft torque @ 3750 rpm. The Vulcan 3.0L didn't like to be overheated, or the heads would warp & its pushrod rocker arms suffered from wear because of less than needed lube, or from poor maintenance & build up of sludge there that would further restrict oiling there.
If scheduled maintenance was done, with good lubes & coolant, no problem.

The Vulcan 3.0L also uses about as much gas as the pushrod 4.0L, which had 160hp @ 4200rpm/225 lb-ft torque @ 2750rpm, so we don't haqve to rev the 4.0L pushrod as high to get the grunt to move off the line, or get a load, or tow moving.

The 99 4.0L in my signature was rated at 16city/21hwy, but I get 17-19 city & 23-24.7 hwy depending on time of year & 17.7 towing a 175 Bass Tracker over the Blue Ridge Mtns, Spring to Fall, all this with the 5spd auto tranny, so the 4.0L pushrod can get decent mpg for a light duty compact truck, with an engine that'll move it out pretty danged good.

Mpg for the pushrod 4.0L engine is better than the OHC 4.0L engine that the Ranger got in 01.
The OHC engine makes better than 200hp & about the same torque as the pushrod 4.0L, but with lower mpg.
So, to get the thirster 200hp+ 4.0L engine, you'll have to buy an 01 or newer Ranger.

 

Well stated. In my opinion, if you are after the fuel economy, skip the V6s and grab the 4 cylinder model. Those can get mid 20s or better. They are cheap and easy to maintain and reliable. At the end of the day, in my opinion, a truck is a work vehicle of sorts, so it boils down to what you haul. If you haul light things, or only haul stuff occasionally, get the 4 banger. If you haul heavy loads more frequently, go for the V6, and skip the gutless 3.0L for the 4.0L. If you rarely haul stuff, get a smaller car and use your brothers truck when you need to move a mattress. He probably owes you money anyway.

 

ive got a 91 ohv ranger 5spd 4x4. i purchased a cheapo getting about 24 on the hwy and roughly 20-21 in town