Considering a 4.0L Ranger.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: California Desert
Considering a 4.0L Ranger.
My 98 2.5L is becoming more and more under powered for my tastes. It's also small for me being only a standard cab, and living in the middle of the desert with a vehicle that lacks A/C is murder. Once this thing is paid off ($1200 to go 
) I am really thinking of trading it in for a new 4.0L Ranger. From what I am hearing though, these OHC 4.0L are having some major issues with the timing chain guides. I'm wondering if I should go ahead with a brand spanking new Ranger with the known chain guide issue or should I get one of the last years of OHV 4.0L they made and have proven reliability?
) I am really thinking of trading it in for a new 4.0L Ranger. From what I am hearing though, these OHC 4.0L are having some major issues with the timing chain guides. I'm wondering if I should go ahead with a brand spanking new Ranger with the known chain guide issue or should I get one of the last years of OHV 4.0L they made and have proven reliability?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Connecticut
Maybe you can use the timing chain tensioner issue as a bargaining chip. For example, if the dealer takes 1K off the price, then that would probably cover the cost of repair in the event the truck is out of warranty when a tensioner acts up.
Or how about telling the dealer that you want a 100K warranty coverage on that particular issue. In other words, try and get an additional written warranty on your timing chain tensioner(s) from the dealer on top of the 3yr/36K standard warranty.
Then again, you can't go wrong with a nice used 4.0L OHV Ranger. You can pick one up for a good price and it is a proven commodity.
Good luck whatever you decide.
Or how about telling the dealer that you want a 100K warranty coverage on that particular issue. In other words, try and get an additional written warranty on your timing chain tensioner(s) from the dealer on top of the 3yr/36K standard warranty.
Then again, you can't go wrong with a nice used 4.0L OHV Ranger. You can pick one up for a good price and it is a proven commodity.
Good luck whatever you decide.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
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I drove my last Ranger for over 12 years and it had a 2.9L in it. My 2003 Ranger has a 4.0L SOHC (made in Germany) with 16k on it.
I would never own another Ranger with anything but a 4.0L in it! I have had good luck so far with no problems of anykind. At 16k the Engine is broken in nicely and Really running well. The gas mileage is decent for a 4x4 super cab 18-22 mpg, and the power difference between the 2.9L & the 4.0L is the biggest bonus of all.
Are you sure about the newer ( 2003-2004 ) 4.0L SOHC having the Timing chain problem ? I thought that was resolved after 2002. You get my vote for a brand new 4.0L.......... 
I would never own another Ranger with anything but a 4.0L in it! I have had good luck so far with no problems of anykind. At 16k the Engine is broken in nicely and Really running well. The gas mileage is decent for a 4x4 super cab 18-22 mpg, and the power difference between the 2.9L & the 4.0L is the biggest bonus of all.
Are you sure about the newer ( 2003-2004 ) 4.0L SOHC having the Timing chain problem ? I thought that was resolved after 2002. You get my vote for a brand new 4.0L..........
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
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From: York, NE
I personally wouldn't be afraid of a OHC 4.0. I knolw that there are issues, but considering how many there are on the road between RAnger and Explorers, they don't seem to be that frequent. As far as the Pushrod 4.0. I love mine, and for the money saved buying one a few years older, you can mod them up nice, but they still won't compete with the OHC.
Here's a dyno graph comparing the two 4.0s to give some comparison.
Here's a dyno graph comparing the two 4.0s to give some comparison.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 678
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From: Central, MA
Don't mind me! I'm an ignorant Ranger 3.0 owner!
Is the OHC 4.0 an interference motor? In other words, if the OHC 4.0 loses it's timing belt/chain, will valves get smashed?
You'll be surprised how many different motors do this!
Ever know someone who owned an early 1980's 1.6L Escort?
Is the OHC 4.0 an interference motor? In other words, if the OHC 4.0 loses it's timing belt/chain, will valves get smashed?
You'll be surprised how many different motors do this!
Ever know someone who owned an early 1980's 1.6L Escort?
Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: California Desert
Wow...that dyno chart sure has a big sway on my choosing process. I guess you just can't beat the power of an OHC engine.
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Hillsboro, OR
When you drive both the OHV and the SOHC, you don't notice a difference, believe me. My Ranger with all my stuff in/on it at 4700lbs, feels about the same as driving a new 4.0 Ranger empty. I know other people will agree with me that the driving difference really isn't much different at all. I was dissappointed on my first test drive in the Ranger 4.0 SOHC. Yes the SOHC has higher numbers, but look at where they are in engine speed. How often do you take a V6 above 4000 RPMS anyway? See my point? 
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Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
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From: York, NE
Right after I got my chip in mine I went and test drove an 04 4.0 4x4. It was hard to get back into mine. I have a Reg cab 5-spd man. and the one I test drove was extended cab 5-spd man. and the difference was awesome. I was fortunate enough to have a younger guy as the salesman that didn't mind me punching it a bit. My opinion of the OHC pretty much corrosponds to the dyno. Very similar power until just over 2000 RPM and then the OHC takes off. Mine has a bit more down low due to the chip and exhaust, but as the revs add up, the difference becomes known. I've always been happy with the power of my truck, but getting back into it after the test drive was real dissapointing. I also take mine up over 4000 RPM fairly often, maybe that's why I noticed the difference. I guess if you don't drive hard like I usually tend to, I could see where they would feel similar, but when you're passing a semi on the highway, it's nice to have that power in the higher RPM's.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 515
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From: Hillsboro, OR
I do drive hard, no question about that. And I was a salesperson at ford for a while, so I got to drive them hard to . I guess there is a difference in the upper end, but wasn't as much as I expected I guess, that's all. I thought '50 extra horses, this should be nice', and just didn't quite live up to my expectations. It's still a good engine, no question.
. I guess there is a difference in the upper end, but wasn't as much as I expected I guess, that's all. I thought '50 extra horses, this should be nice', and just didn't quite live up to my expectations. It's still a good engine, no question.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Everett, WA
I have a 98 with the 4.0L and I put in the K&N FIPK and have seen a tremendous amount of top end power. I haven't compared to the later models, so I am unable to give the comparison that way. My thought is if you can get by spending less and still get the same, why not do that? J.M.O.
Jeff
Jeff
New User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Sanford, Fl.
Tested both engines in the supercab Ranger. Our opinion was that the Ranger with the 4.0 sohc rode better than the 3.0. Plus the extra power, better resale and it does tow really well. We also get good mpg on the average, glad we purchased the 4.0.
04 Edge with 4.0L, auto, 3.55 limited slip, 16" wheels and towing package.
04 Edge with 4.0L, auto, 3.55 limited slip, 16" wheels and towing package.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: SW Va
I bought new, a 99 4.0L 5spd auto 4dr SC
factory tow package, with 4.10 rear end.
I use it to tow a 175 Bass Tracker accross the blue ridge mountains to the lake.
The old 4.0L push rod engine has a lot of low end GRUNT, just where you need it, the 5spd auto has it's upshift points right on the torque curve, such that she NEVER lays down on you, on the up shifts, just keeps on gettin it, does a great job doing this.
The 5spd auto makes towing effortless. So if your going to do any towing, the 4.0L & 5spd auto shure makes it nice.
I've gotten as high as 18.0 mpg towing with this rig. Best highway mpg was 24.8, both with Havoline synthetic 5W-30 motor oil, that I just switched to this spring.
It has 41K on it now. Body & insides are still tight, no squeeks or rattles.
So if funds are short, or you can't work a good enough deal at your local Ford store on a new one, don't hesitate to consider & seek out an older model with the 4.0L pushrod engine & the 5spd auto, is a very nice ride too, IMHO.
factory tow package, with 4.10 rear end.
I use it to tow a 175 Bass Tracker accross the blue ridge mountains to the lake.
The old 4.0L push rod engine has a lot of low end GRUNT, just where you need it, the 5spd auto has it's upshift points right on the torque curve, such that she NEVER lays down on you, on the up shifts, just keeps on gettin it, does a great job doing this.
The 5spd auto makes towing effortless. So if your going to do any towing, the 4.0L & 5spd auto shure makes it nice.
I've gotten as high as 18.0 mpg towing with this rig. Best highway mpg was 24.8, both with Havoline synthetic 5W-30 motor oil, that I just switched to this spring.
It has 41K on it now. Body & insides are still tight, no squeeks or rattles.
So if funds are short, or you can't work a good enough deal at your local Ford store on a new one, don't hesitate to consider & seek out an older model with the 4.0L pushrod engine & the 5spd auto, is a very nice ride too, IMHO.
Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: California Desert
No offense to any of you auto owners...but me buying an auto is a very last resort. I can't stand driving automatics. I keep reaching for the clutch and the stick that isn't there. I love my 5 spd manual trannies.
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2004
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Originally Posted by maticuno
No offense to any of you auto owners...but me buying an auto is a very last resort. I can't stand driving automatics. I keep reaching for the clutch and the stick that isn't there. I love my 5 spd manual trannies.
Last edited by RedRangerXLT; Jul 14, 2004 at 05:13 PM.