I am looking into getting a ranger in a couple of months here. The truck will mainly be used for work. I am a Low-Voltage service tech, so I need the space to keep my tools, parts, etc in the vehicle. During the winter, I am away at school in Fargo, so I need a 4x4. The winters up here are pretty crappy. I have been looking into the trucks, and have seen a lot of 3.0s for sale, and not very many 4.0s in the years and price ranges I am looking at.

I am basically looking for the skinny on rangers. Which motor is better, how is the mileage, any problems with either motor, etc. Thanks guys.

 

Both motors are very reliable; the 4.0 SOHC in the Ranger was vulnerable to timing chain tensioner issues up until roughly mid 2002 so if you're buying used be aware. The correction was addressed via a TSB so if you consider one run the VIN through OASIS to make sure this has been addressed. The 4.0 has considerably more power than a 3.0 and it shows when driving; the mileage penalty is about 1 mpg when compared to a 3.0. In my neck of the woods, the 3.0's take a noticeable hit on resale value. Ditto for standard cabs (ie, somewhat hard to sell and with a resale value penalty unless it's a stripped down, baseline vehicle). The vintage 4.0 OHV is quite reliable with the exception being that it's very succeptable to engine knock. There are three common reasons for this and all are very simple and inexpensive to address. There is no reason to be scared away over this common issue. There is a world of performance difference between the SOHC and OHV 4.0; if newer fits the budget get the SOHC.

Beware of the M5OD manual tranny as they use neoprene shift rail plugs that are prone to swelling and leakage. Such leakage can go undetected/unnoticed; the tranny looses fluid and, well, there comes a point in time where if the loss is not detected it'll eat the tranny. With that in mind, if you want that tranny simply inspect for leakage/low fluid before buying (if used) and check the tranny fluid level maybe every other oil change. The plugs are fairly inexpensive to replace; ideally they are a brass replacement or a small aluminum soft plug.

 

the 3.0 is the cousin of the 2.9 which was one of the most reliable motors. i could see myself getting 250,000 miles out my 3.0 no problem. the 4.0 is more powerful but does have a couple issues as said before. you can pick up a 4x4 ranger ext. cab for less with the 3.0 because of the power difference but i got used to the 3.slow. my automatic has been good to me also! the belt tensioner go on the 3.0 but thats all for me so far.

 

The 3.slow may be "related" to the 2.9L in terms of displacement being such a small difference, but the 2.9L and 4.0L are the direct relatives in the Cologne engine family.

The 3L is a seperate engine family altogether.

 

Engine knock on the old 4.0 OHV is a HUGE problem, especially on the '92's which don't have a knock sensor.

--van

 

The 3.0L engine is very reliable and has been used in a LOT of ford vehicles. Consider that Ford had placed this engine in their #1 selling car the Taurus for several years with a great track record. The 3.0L is from the Vulcan engine family.

 

The 3.0 is less powerful and doesn't get much better mileage than the 4.0, but the 3.0 is just bulletproof in terms or durability. Its a simple, cast iron heads and block pushrod that will last a long time with only basic maintenence.

 

I will be hauling a bed full of parts and tools and ladders for work, so it will have quite a bit of weight in the truck all the time. Will the 3.0 handle that, or should I just suck it up and spend the dough for the 4.0. I'm leaning towards the 4.0, since we had that in an explorer and it was balsy.

 

i bought my ranger with the 3.0 by mistake. i used to be a gm guy but got fed up with them and ditched my gp for a ranger since it was pretty reasonable and basic...v6, 4x4, black, cd, auto, air, tow and off-road package. it wasn't until i showed it to a friend of mine that is a hard core ford nut and he asked why i got the 3.0 instead of the 4.0. well you can imagine how i felt at the time. well after 86,000 miles of going back and fourth to work, muddin, towing a much too heavy boat, a jet-ski yadda yadda, that i am very proud of my little truck and the 3.slow. it will not impress anyone at first...but it'll payoff in the long run. its because of this simple design and well made motor that i will never buy any other brand especially gm ever again.

 

I love my 2003 4.0 sohc..I had a 2.9 for twelve years, no comparison...

 

You're right about the 3.0 and 2.9 having nothing of the same except displacement. The OHV 4.0 was a stroked 2.9. The SOHC 4.0 has nothing simillar to its older brother, when put on the market like any new engine it had a few bugs that have been fixed since then and has now found reliability. The 3.0 has always been a descent engine but not as reliable as a 4.0.
All that's left for you to decide is whether or not you need the extra power offered in a 4.0 which is simply a personal opinion of yours.

Madmike33