I just bought ( 4 miles on odo ) a 2004 Ranger with 2.3L / Auto.

My question is how smooth does this engine run??? Yea, I know how smooth is smooth? Well at low RPM and light acceleration the vibration can clearly be felt in the steering wheel and gas peddle. On the passanger side you can feel it in the floor and kind of hear it too. I know there is a learing curve for the computer controls. Was anyone elses like this? Does it smooth out in time? My 2000 Honda CRV is like a sewing machine by comparison.

 

I have a 03 Mazda B2300 with same engine and trans. Mine has 4,000 miles on it. Mine runs rough when started up cold otherwise is relatively smooth. It seems to be more peppy as it has accumulated the miles. Don't even try to compare it in terms of smoothness or fit and finish of an import vehicle. My previous vehicle was a Toy. Celica and it's fit and finish. engine performance, gas mileage were much better. It's a good solid truck for the price.

 

Well I guess it will never smooth out any better than what it is now. After some research I found out the Ranger version of the 2.3L Duratec dosen't have the balance shafts. Oh well.... vibration? What vibration.

 

I have an 01 Ranger with a duratec. It doesn't seem to run rough at all. Maybe yours isn't broken in yet, or maybe rough is a relative term. A Honda or Toyota 4 cyl. is a lot smoother and more refined than the motor in your truck ( my opinion ) . One good thing; I have 115,000 miles on my duratec 4 banger with zero problems, plus I get 30 mpg.

 

Well it's definitly not broke in yet, ~250 miles on it. As I mentioned before it's not a 'shakey' rough it is more of a vibration, mainly at 1500 - 2500 RPM and lite acceleration. Without the balance shafts this is to be expected.

115k mi with no problems sounds great and 30 mpg sounds even better!

That must be mostly highway driving. Do you have an auto or manual trans?

 

Manual trans, and yes, mostly highway driving. It's a great truck. Maybe your vibration is transmission related? Just a thought. Go down to the dealership and test drive a different one. See if it has the same vibration.

 

It's definitly from the engine but it is getting better.... I would guesstimate that it is at least 67.12765% more gooder than when I first got it.