I have a 2001 with a 4.0 sohc with 40k and looking for other people who have them and how they like them, and how many miles on them[B][COLOR=darkblue]

 

I got one! Mine has 700 miles on it. My previous truck was a '99 with the OHV version of the 4.0. So far, I like my SOHC. It's much quieter and smoother than the "old" 4.0L. However, it is NOT stronger. I don't know where the extra 45 HP is supposed to be, but I sure can't notice it by driving the truck. So that is disappointing. And I am also concerned that it won't turn out to be as dependable as the OHV engine say...150K miles down the road.

But so far, with 700 miles on my new truck I really enjoy it.

 

01 Edge, reg cab, 5 speed, 20,000 miles. I have no complaints about the power.

 

2003 Ranger Fx4 Level II 3,000 miles,

I am just starting to break it in and I Love It!!!

Didn't drive it on the hwy. or take it over 50 mph for the first 1,000 miles

didn't use 4x4 for 1,000 miles.

changed the oil after 1,000 and 3,000 miles.

At first I thought the power was okay, but lately this motor is really showing some power..
I had a ranger with a 2.9L for 11 years. The mountain passes that I used to go up in 3rd gear. I can now go up in 5th doing 60 mph no problem.
I have only had it 2 months but I like it more every day.
I just hope it last as long as the 2.9L 175,000 miles ..

 

and still in the break-in phase.

Runs well and has plenty of power for what I need. Really impressed with it (quiet and nice ride) after driving a Diesel for 11+ years.

Sold my old 93 D350 Cummins Turbo Diesel to get this Ranger XLT Supercab 4x2 with a 4.0L and 5 speed automatic.

My old one was a great engine bolted to a rolling problem (electrical and tranny).

If I ever need another Diesel, I will go with a PSD - after the 6.0 bugs are worked out.

My first small truck and my first Ford.

 

I have one too...it's nothing less then amazing!...and I thought I was buying a "mini" truck..hah.

Three months ago I test drove and purchased a 2002 Edge (27K mi). I was looking for something reliable, comfortable, and compact enough to park in your average space, yet had the capability of pulling real truck duties on the weekends. I am happy to say this Ranger does it all...very well. I drive a lot...12K since I purchased it and so far I am very impressed. This truck has surpassed my greatest expectations.

The true test of the 4.0 coupled with the 5 spd auto came with a little trip I took. I live in California south of SF in the Santa Cruz Mtns. The highway (17) is very challenging (curved, narrow, steep) and I felt a good test of power, so I hooked the truck up to a 27 ft Airstream (4500lbs), made all of the necessary adjustments to the weight distribution hitch, checked the lights, checked the brakes, and off I went.

Now I know that many people may think I am crazy to put this big of a trailer behind this "little" truck, but it was within the trucks limitations according to the specs, albeit on the high side, but that never stopped me before . I was pretty apprehensive as to how this was going to work, so I decided to do it really late at night when the traffic was minimal. I pulled away slow and all systems were working...level ride and good brakes (trailer). I am familiar with this trailer and have towed it with an F150 and a F350 PSD Superduty crewcab.

I didnt have a chance to get much of a feel for the rig when I hit the first grade. I could tell by the acceleration from the light that the truck was strong, but when I hit this hill I couldn't believe it. This "little truck" just pulled and pulled strong. I was holding 50mph up a grade with a near capacity load and the engine/tranny handled it with ease. I was a bit stunned....it just didnt seem right. I pulled this same trailer up the same hill with an F150 (302) and it dropped to 40mph and felt like it was working hard. I continued to the summit (1800) turned around and came back down. The compression of the 4.0 held me steady and quite comfortable without a lot of braking.

Now you may think thats the end of the story and it would be a good ending....but its not...there's more .

Based upon the excellent performance for the first test, I decided to go for broke and see if this is a "real" truck. Next stop...the High Sierra. I hooked up the Airstream. loaded my gear and the dog and headed for the mountains. It performed excellent across the valley (flat) with some wind effects, but not bad. It pulled 4th gear easily (OD locked out) with very good acceleration if needed, tracking straight and true. The best was yet to come however...Donner Summit and a 7000ft climb :O.

My concerns were greatly reduced after completing the first hill into the Sierra foothills. Once again the truck exceeded my expectations maintaining 55mph with relative ease and without carrying a lot of RPMs...I was very impressed and smiling ear to ear Im sure. The trip to the summit was more of the same. I got slowed by a big rig or two and the Ranger was able to accel back up to the 50/55mph range throughout the climb. Going down the Donner grade into Truckee was quite comfortable as well with the engine compression doing 99% of the braking.

Ok...so thats my story...so far . I am very impressed with this truck and find the 4.0 very capable. I don't think I can overstate how well the engine/tranny combo performs. The truck almost seems to like being under load rather running light...at least mine does. The close ratio coupled with the torque of the 4.0 is awesome. I have driven a lot of V8 combos that can't hold a candle to this 'little" Ranger. Honestly, the word "little" has nothing to do with this truck.

So...do I like my Ranger?. You bet I do! I love it! So much so that I went out and helped my mom find a new-used Ranger for herself. She is now the proud owner of a 2001 Ranger XLT 4X4 Supercab 4.0 Auto. I can't tell you for sure, but I think this Ranger is a chip off the ol' block...the F350 PSD Superduty crewcab block that is (Dads .

Should anyone question the acceleration/power of their 4.0, just put your foot to the floor and see how long you dare to keep it there. In my experience...it won't be long (I'm not advocating breaking any laws

Make it a GREAT DAY!

 

Sorry about the small book...my bad

 

Interesting story Tuffranger; you write very well. What kind of gas mileage did you get on your trips when towing?

 

Well thank you for the compliment Mike.

I didnt really keep track of it, but it didnt seem to be too far off my usual medium load. I was pleasantly surprised that it didnt drain the tank on the way up as the gas prices in Truckee are a bit on the HIGH side (understatment). I was able to make it back down to the more reasonably priced gas in Rocklin.

I will watch it next time to get the numbers, but I guarantee it's less than Excursion I passed with a similar sized Airstream (hehe). The driver of the Excursion had a very puzzled look on his face when he tried to figure out what truck I was driving. He caught me traffic, doing a Linda Blair (exorcist) as he passed .

 

LOL. Forgot to say welcome to FTE!

 

Speeking of gas prices, how does yours run on 89 oct?

 

You know..that's a great question. I recently added a Gibson exhaust and I swear it has a very slight ping on the bottom side (89). I can't tell for sure if it's a ping or a bit of leak somehwere in the exhaust. I am going to try 91 to see if it changes anything.

I ran 91 while towing a medium load (stock exhaust) and I thought it felt very strong. It may have been my imagination but it "seemed" like my throttle response was better too. If the prices would come back to earth...I think I would run 91 all the time.

 

I have an 01' with 32K on it! I bought the truck used on July 4th, and haven't had any real complaints with it. I'll test the 4 liters tommorrow when I go 4 wheeling for the first time!!! Wish me luck!