4.0 or 3.0
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New User
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4.0 or 3.0
Question:
I was wondering, which is better, the 3.0L V6 or the 4.0L V6. This is my situation: I plan on towing an ATV, putting on a 3 in. lift, 31 in. tires, and new wheels. I am going to need a good bit of power.
I have heard that the 3.0L is a gutless piece of junk. I just would like to know which is better before I make my decision. Well, I have three years considering I'm only 13 to make a decision.
Thanks all!
I was wondering, which is better, the 3.0L V6 or the 4.0L V6. This is my situation: I plan on towing an ATV, putting on a 3 in. lift, 31 in. tires, and new wheels. I am going to need a good bit of power.
I have heard that the 3.0L is a gutless piece of junk. I just would like to know which is better before I make my decision. Well, I have three years considering I'm only 13 to make a decision.
Thanks all!
Last edited by FordtruckBoy13; Feb 23, 2004 at 05:30 PM.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 943
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From: Randolph, NJ
Owning and driving both, I can say that the 3.0L is not a gutless piece of junk. It is a very reliable motor from what I've seen. The 4.0L definitely has it beat on power, but the 3.0 could tow an ATV fine.
-Jim
-Jim
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Midland, TX
From what I understand, both engines get similar gas mileage. One of my friends is about to get a 3.0 soon, but I don't know how they perform. I had a 4.0 SOHC in my 2001 Ranger. It's a great engine, and I could burn out very well w/ the 4.10 axle ratio. But, because of that ratio and the engine, my gas mileage was terrible. I was getting about 12 MPG which just sucks. Even when I would take the weight off my lead foot the gas mileage wouldn't change. My new F-150 averages 19 MPG, and it's a V8....
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Rocky Mountains
I've had two 3.0 liter engines and they both were reliable and long lasting. The extra power in the 4.0 is nice, and all these people who give these fantastic gas mileage reports from their 4.0 liter engines leave me wondering. No matter what they say you can't get extra horsepower for nothing. The other reports I keep hearing about 4.0 liter engines is their propensity for developing cracked engine blocks or heads from overheating. I guess as long as your radiator is really working good you're safe, but don't let it overheat. Investigate the forum on 4.0 liter engines and then draw your own conclusions
New User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Avon, CO
Having had both a 3.0 and now a 4.0, I have to say it depends on where your towing. In MI the 3.0 was fine for snowmobiles, boats, and 4-wheelers, but in CO theres no way you can get the towing capacity you want out of a 3.0. Up and down the passes the 4.0 is the way to go. I have a hard time with people passing me and the 4.0 deffineatly doesn't let that happen.
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New User
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From: Avon, CO
I apologize for my second reply, but I didn't read all of them......after all I've only been a member for less than a week. The gas mileage on the 4.0 is the same if not better than the 3.0. I drive from CO to MI once a year in the spring and have found that the 4.0 gets 20 miles to the gallon on a very consistent basis, where as the 3.0 was close to that but never anymore. As far as the cracked engine block goes I hadn't heard that but it is defineatly something for me to think about.
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Senior User
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Here's something to think about. Buy a piece of junk. Or an older ranger. It's your first car and you are bound to make a few mistakes. By that I don't mean wrecking, I mean you'll probably tear it up. Plus you will apprieciate a nicer one more later.
You'll feel a lot better when you burn up the clutch of a $500 car than your $5000 ride. And I garentee you'll have twice the fun.
You'll feel a lot better when you burn up the clutch of a $500 car than your $5000 ride. And I garentee you'll have twice the fun.
Postmaster
Joined: May 2003
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From: Claremore
such is true, lol, yes, you'll be sick if you burn up a $5000 ride as oppose to the 1 or 2000 ride. Trust me, being young is fun, and you will prolly enjoy it more if you can rough house w/ ur truck sometimes.... you know... one of those......
"Hey! Guys, watch this!!"
"Eye's closed!!!" 
P.S. Not at all that I am encouraging this, it's just a fact of life.
"Hey! Guys, watch this!!"
"Eye's closed!!!" P.S. Not at all that I am encouraging this, it's just a fact of life.
New User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4
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From: Perry Florida
Hey guy!
I must say that I have a car with a 3.0 and its great, but...... I also have a ranger with the 4.0 which I was told I needed. You see my ranger has a 10" skyjacker lift with 38" Super Swampers, I was told to get the 4.0 or a 302. So to save trouble later get the 4.0.
I must say that I have a car with a 3.0 and its great, but...... I also have a ranger with the 4.0 which I was told I needed. You see my ranger has a 10" skyjacker lift with 38" Super Swampers, I was told to get the 4.0 or a 302. So to save trouble later get the 4.0.
New User
Joined: Feb 2004
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For a first truck an old manual trans for around 1000 cant be beat. They are a ton of fun and if something goes wrong on it 1.) you can replace it yourself and not have to worry about wrecking an expensive truck and 2.) if you do tear it up your not losing a fortune. As for the original question of 3.0 or 4.0, yeah a 3.0 will pull and atv but ya gotta love that 4.0. 
Cross-Country
Joined: Jan 2004
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Originally posted by Spawn_qhh
Hey guy!
I must say that I have a car with a 3.0 and its great, but...... I also have a ranger with the 4.0 which I was told I needed. You see my ranger has a 10" skyjacker lift with 38" Super Swampers, I was told to get the 4.0 or a 302. So to save trouble later get the 4.0.
Hey guy!
I must say that I have a car with a 3.0 and its great, but...... I also have a ranger with the 4.0 which I was told I needed. You see my ranger has a 10" skyjacker lift with 38" Super Swampers, I was told to get the 4.0 or a 302. So to save trouble later get the 4.0.
New User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Ross, Ohio
I have a 4.0 in my 94, and 33's on it and it has no trouble towing a 16 foot trailer with 3 large mowers in it. I'd say that a 3.0 could handle a quad, but your not going to get as much get up and go out of it.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Rocky Mountains
I was told that a 4.0 liter engine is essentially a bored out 2.9 liter engine. Since the 2.9 had such a bad history of cracked heads, what did Ford do to cure that problem, if anything. It would almost seem logical that unless you change the block that the head problem would become even more pronounced. I suppose the 4.0 liter has a bigger radiator, but if it overheats is there still a history of cracked head problems? What makes me inquisitive is the recent thread about this guy's 4.0 liter engine blowing with 58,000 miles on it. Could there be a connection here? Just curious.