Looks like y'all have a great site here, I'm new to it. Well, here's my story. I'm having to sell my beloved '04 F-150 Lariat 4x4 S'Crew(as a result of an "expensive" relationship). I've been looking at a Ranger S'cab, probably a 2001 or newer. Most of the ones I've seen in the Trader are XLT models, with a V-6 (3.0L probably), and 5-speed auto. tranny. I've always thought the Ranger was good, solid little pick-up, and since I'm a single guy with no kids, it would probably suit my needs just fine. My main question is for people who have 3.0L mills. What kind of performance does it crank-out? What about gas milage? I never do any towing, and rarely have heavy loads to haul. My miles are mainly just back and forth to work. I'd love to find one with a 4.0L SOHC mill, but those appear to be few and far between, at least in 2wd form. Just like to have some input from Ranger owners.

Thanks!!

 

The 3.0L is a very dependable engine, I had zero problems for 6 years and 74,000 miles. My younger son drove a '94 3.0L from 80,000 to 145,000 and the repairs were minimal. The performance is not great. If you are looking to stomp on the gas and have it chirp, this is not the one but it is satisfactory. I checked the gas mileage for a 2 month period and came up with 18.8 mpg. This is central Florida, no hills or snow and it was the fall when the A/C was on about half the time. No highway driving to speak of, but not City. This was a 98 with a 4sp auto, I would hope the 5sp auto would perform a little better. Good luck in your search.

 

Welcome to FTE!

You sound like a pretty good candidate for a 3.0L Ranger. Many people, including myself, like the additional grunt that the 4.0L can provide, particularly if towing or off-road stuff is in the picture. Gas mileage b/t the two is actually comparable. Both are solid engines, but the 3.0L "vulcan" engine is particularly known for it's durability and low maintenance costs. And since the same 3.0L has been used in half a dozen or so applications since '86, there are parts all over the place if and when you do need them.

Really can't go wrong with either engine.

 

i have only had my 3.0L ranger for a year and a half now, but i am totally satisfied with it. The gas mileage started out around 20-22 hwy, in the 5 speed manual, and when i lifted it with 31's, it only dropped by like 1 or 2 miles. I reccommend getting a manual transmission, you will get the better gas mileage, faster acceleration, and just more fun to drive. Just by itself, the engine is not a very high perfomance one. It is not too fast, and not too strong. But, with re-gearing and other modifications, it can be a fast and powerful truck, along with having good gas mileage. All together, it is a good truck.

 

Purchased a 2000 XLT SuperCab 4x2 3.0 4sp auto on 8-26-04. Am retired, so don't do a lot of driving on the road, but am finikey about mpg, always have been. Running around town w/OD in the "on" position, first tank got an even 16.0 which is what the book says. However, on the second tank, only got 13.4 and was disappointed. No jump starts and coast as much as I can. But wouldn't take anything for the truck! :-) To be almost 5 years old w/just about 71k on it, drives just like new! Just an old man and his toy! :-)

 

bryan_1980,
Welcome to FTE

I have an 02 Ranger S/C with the 3.0 and auto. I can't complain about either the performance or the gas mileage. The stock 3.0 won't knock your socks off, but you'll have no problems getting up to highway speeds. I think it is a fairly comfortable vehicle for long road trips, and you can't beat the size of the trunk! LOL. On long trips I average 23.5, and thats running at 70-75 through most of NC. City, I get around 17-18.5 depending on traffic, etc. My only beef with the Ranger is that the gas guage is not all that accurate--it's a "Ford" thing. I think for the situation that you've described, you'll be very happy with a Ranger.

 

Whenever I hear people claiming standards are 'quicker', I just laugh to myself. I fell for that line when I was younger but finally quit buying stick shifts and I'll never go back. And taking off from a light beside some kid with a stick, he might lead by inches until it's time to shift and then he disappears in my rear view mirror as I keep accellerating.
4.0 automatic extended cab Ranger with 139K miles and it runs perfect. Best truck I've ever owned and the 4.0 is definitely worth the extra effort to find one. It took me 3-4 months to find this truck when I bought it in '97.

Here's a pic if the link works:
http://www.arboristsite.com/attach/15871.jpg

 

Just to offer a differing oppinion here. I have a "vulcan" 3.0, and also have a 4.0 in my Aerostar Cargo van, in a heartbeat I would opt for the 4.0 in my truck if possible. The added power on acceleration is worth it. Not to mention I sometimes feel like I have to get out and help push her up the hill on the interatate. If at all possible hold out for a 4.0, I do believe it is well worth the extra $$.

 

Thanks for all of the feedback! I'm not really concerned with neck-snapping acceleration, but like droptop said, I want to be able to get to highway speeds in a reasonably short time. I have driven a '97 Ranger with the 2.3L and automatic, and I'm sure the 3.0L is much better than that! That 2.3L I drove would slow down just by turning the A/C on! I'll try to find a 4.0L, I've got some time. Still have to sell the old truck, anyways. I know one thing, anything beats shelling-out over $40.00 a week for gas for my F-150! It'd be one thing if I actually needed a truck that size, but I don't anymore. Another question about the Ranger; What kind of insurance rates are you all getting? My F-150 is ridiculous! I've got five more months until I turn 25, but I'm sure the Ranger will be a little cheaper, since it's a cheaper truck. Overall, I think the Ranger will be much more practical for my uses.

 

I just test drove a brand new 2005 Ranger 3.0 yesterday and I can tell you that it is rather pathetic compared to my 10 year old 4.0 Ranger. Heck, just walk into a dealership and drive a couple of them so you can see for yourself. Coming out of a full size, I'd suspect nothing less than a 4.0 extended cab will be acceptable.

 

I have had two Ranger Edges and nobody on this whole entire forum has put them through the abuse I have. The first one was an 02 3.0 and I would stick in any whole anywhere. I would'nt care if I was going to get stuck. I always had it tached out in 1st or 2nd gear. Knowing it would probably tear up. I never had any problem of any kind out of my truck. I highly suggest you just test drive the 4.0 and 3.0. Coming from someone who has drove 4.0s in the past they are fast but, now that they are making performance parts for 3.0s gas mileage is key.

 

My '02 Ranger Edge (2WD, 3.0, reg cab) was my first NEW truck - I'd always bought used, low mileage stuff before. I've had it going on three years now, and recently decided to trade for a car to get more room. Cleaned the truck up real good one afternoon to get the best trade I could and decided (with the help of my seven year old) that I couldn't part with it. Fixed the need for more storage with a tonneau and put the idea of trading to bed.

When I bought it I was single with one child, fresh off a divorce. At times I've needed more room for "stuff" but not so much that a small toolbox didn't suffice. Just recently I pulled the box and added the tonneau which will give me plenty of space. With myself, my seven year old, and my fiance - we do fine. Not cramped, but not as comfy as we are in the fiance's Sedan Deville, mind you LOL

I drive my Ranger about 45 miles per day commuting, all interstate, about half of it thru rolling hills, and I have always averaged about 19mpg. I might get a boost with the tonneau but I don't expect anything noticeable. I have a motorcycle for when I want great gas mileage anyway.

I regularly pull a golf cart trailer, and on weekends I pull a 24' pontoon boat (added the class 3 hitch after I bought the truck). My truck doesn't know the golf cart is behind me, at any speed. I only pull the boat about three miles to the river, then back, so I don't need speed. Only time the tires have spun on the ramp was when I relied on my fiance to drive, and she got the tires too wet. People literally will line up to watch my Ranger get the job done with this boat and it's never let me down. Meanwhile my buddy, with his Jeep Cherokee had to trade up to a 4WD Tahoe to get his boat out of the water reliably LOL

The Ranger should get'r done for you too - 3.0 or 4.0 either one. Buy with confidence.

 

Ditto. I have the same two vehicles (except extended Aerostar) and I rue the decision not to keep looking for a 4.0 version. I settled for the 3.0L mostly because the Ranger was in superb condition and I was interested in better mileage. I was shocked to find the '98 Ranger 3.0 5 speed at 21 mpg manages only 1 mpg better than my old, trusty 4.0L Aerostar with 235,000 miles. While the Vulcan 3.0 may be reliable, I find it a very busy sounding engine at anything approaching or above 3000 rpm. The 4.0 by comparison, is much quieter and seems as effortless at 90 mph as it does at 30 mph. The 4.0 has more of a smooth, torque-y V8 feel to it while the 3.0 does not. Between the two, the 3.0 requires a lot more gas pedal feathering to maintain a constant road speed than the 4.0. (Non cruise control Ranger). It still strikes me as a gritty, tough little pickup that will eventually win my complete affection.

 

Aero, very good anology. I could not agree more. I love my Aerostar EXT 4.0. As far as I'm concerned that motor is all but bulletproof (knocking on wood). Creeping up on 200,000 miles and the only major problem I have had is changing the water pump. I have heard the 4.0 have had some issues with blowing head gaskets, but I have yet to see that firsthand, and I put my cargo van through plenty of HARD HARD work. Anyhow, just my 2cents worth.

 

my b3000 xcab 6cl 3L 2x4 dual sport, ie:looks like a 4x4, is really a ranger especially since i took the decals and hard plastic mud flaps off.
mileage is horrrid, it lack horsepower of which i assume is to make the engine last longer as it covered for 7 years. on interstate hills i shift in to 4th and turn off ac. mileage is 14 city 25 freeway with tailgate down ac off, but at under $15,000 + 7 year coverage. $4,000+/- less then the ranger buys 2000 gallons of gas that would be about 40,000 miles of driving i think