Since the beginning of the compact Ranger linup in late '82, there have been 3 basic engine families used with a myriad of different variations, all were good in their own right and have their own following, let's see which is more popular. And please chime in with what you voted for and why, and even what generation and transmission you prefer with it!

 

I'll start it off, I voted for the 2.3l/2.5l EFI, I love the simplicity and durability of it's design, and the little known buildability that can turn this little short-stroke 4 into a sleeper, both N/A and boosted. I'd put it behind either a TK5 or an M5OD R1 (or a T5 from an SVO), and put it in a Gen-1. There ya go, let the games begin!

 

2.3/2.5L Lima EFI.

Good fuel mileage, dead reliable, just barely enough power to do everything I need it to, but slow enough to keep me out of trouble most of the time. I have no experience with the carb'd version of this engine, but the EFI has been very good to me.

Plus, at 227k, it still uses less oil between 5k changes than my buddy's Caddy Deville with 89k does every thousand miles.

 

I had to vote for the 4.0 SOHC. I've had two now and one 3.0. The power upgrade of the 4.0 SOHC was so much better over the 3.0 I had it was unbelievable! The tourque, and passing power is so much better.

If I had never drove the 4.0 I'd be happy with the 2.3L because of its life span. But because Ive had the bigger engine, the 2.3L would seem like driving underwater to me(no offence, Ive just been spoiled in that regard.)

 

I had to vote for the 2.9L. I love the 4.0, but I don't like the maintenance issues and I know the 2.9 is very much upgradeable and can run hard all day long without fatigue when tweaked for good cooling and headers, etc. Much easier to work on than any of the newer trucks.

 

Voted for the 4.0L OHV, since that's what I have, and at 145K it's giving me no problems, doesn't burn any oil...does need a new rear main though.

We did this post a while back though.....

 

2.3L Lima EFI because these things run forever and have a huge aftermarket following for performance parts.

The carb'd 2.3 is my second choice because of the durability and aftermarket

My cousin wasted many Hondas in his '79 Pinto with a built N/A 2.3L.

I like the M5OD, or a T5 with my 2.3L.

I'm a fan of the '83-'88 generation, give me an '88 2.3L M5OD.

 

The 4.0 cammer motor or sohc, the power and torque are amazing compared to the ohv 4.0, the power is = to the old stock 5.0 mustang. The ideal motor for the 4x4, add in the M5OD tranny and 4:10 gears, it makes for a very capable offroad machine. I must also addmitt, I like the reg cab short bed with the 2.3 duratec and manual tranny for just cruisine the streets, it's sorta fun, like a p/u sports car. Now if you could get the sohc in a reg cab short bed with a manual, it would be funner yet

 

I've had a 2.5, a 3.slow, and two 4.0 SOHC's and by far the fours are the best of the lot. Sure they drink gas, but for power, pick-up, and hauling capacity you just can't beat them. Throw a couple mods on, and it's as peppy as a 150 for a ton less weight.

 

I say 3.0 Vulcan.. it's a very logical choice! hyuck.. get it? Vulcan? Logical?

Sorry.. I couldn't help myself.

Yes.. I'll be the first to admit.. it's a DOG.. but I tend to look at things from a more reliability perspective than performance.

Yes the 4.0 SOHC has more power... seems to run a bit smoother.. and doesn't get much worse fuel economy than the Vulc... but I've worked on enough to know I don't like working on them

I've never run into a 3.0 that needed mechanical repairs on the engine itself... not any with less than 250,000 miles anyway.

Just think.. any engine that can ping THAT much and never sustain damage... well it's got to be tough!

 

i had to vote for the lima 2.3 efi, my 92 with a the 94 motor is bullet proof, its very strong running and has lots of power for get-up-and-go and for towing. and if i really drive nice i get almost 30 mpg out of her.

the reason i didnt vote for the new 4.0 is because i got a 02 and i got stuck with one that had a trany problem that is apparently well known to happen and that kinda pisses me off, otherwise the 4.0 does have quite i bit of power but the 15 mpg is pathetic

 

i like the 3.0L in my little ranger. It's no performance motor, but I'd have to say it's faster than the little 4 door civic I used to have.

 

You forgot the 4.5L... Darn well in that case just the 4.0's but more specificly the sohc. I like my ohv, but i would like the better preformance of that one over head cam better than my rods. which btw i bent one, thats why i werent on much in the past two days...

 

4.0L OHV & 5spd auto tranny.

See my signature, just the overall "package" I needed, for room, power, comfort & light duty towing in the Blue Ridge Mountains & still yield acceptable fuel economy.

Makes it's hp & GRUNT low down, right where I need it, as I rarely require high rpm HP, or go fast freeway power.

The 5spd auto keeps the ohv right on it's torque curve, such that it never lays down on a up shift, just keeps on gettin it!!!! lol
The 5 spd auto also makes towing effortless, even a joy in the mountains, as I don't have to "row" myself to death!!!!
Nice in stop & go traffic too.

I looked at & drove trucks for 5 years, before I retired, trying to find just the right combination of engine, tranny, chassis, cab & equiptment, for my upcomming retirement fishing needs & finally setteled on & ordred the 99 Ranger in my signature.

The 4.0L, 4 dr, 5spd auto & front end chassis change, to the coil spring wishbone setup to improve ride, all came together, to make this combo "just right" for me!!!! I was sold as soon as I drove it, it sold itself!!!!

Ford got this combo mostly right imo!!!

I just love this truck to death, seven years later, it still puts a smile on my face every time I drive it!!!!!

 

I had to pick the 2.0, because I always side with the underdog...lol

Not only that, but I understand carburators, not efi. They're simple to understand, and if they break, you CAN fix it!

If one of the myriad efi computers mess up, you can't fix it, you have to replace it, for big bucks most likely...

Not only that, but it's the only engine I have expeirience with. And my dad had almost the same engine in his old tempo, and he had to run it home like 30-40 miles down a highway with no water! lol He had warped the head an 8th inch overall, and all the valves had 8 hairline cracks in them. He got a new head, and the engine started right up and purred like a kitten...

That is "built Ford tough" lol

The 2.0/2.3 is the "little engine that could"...