Buying 2008 Ranger
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New User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: michigan
Buying 2008 Ranger
Has anyone have any feedback on the 2008 Ranger w/4.0 engine. I know on a different site someone said that they think Ford had worked out the bugs on the SOHV 4.0 engine. I know they had alot of trouble with the cam timming chains & tensioners. I'm thinking about ordering one but I don't want to get into a mess. Is the 3.0 a better design? Any feed back will be a big help.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Rhode Island
4.0 SOHC probles were cleared away in 2002-2003 I think. From what i've read, mos people seem to say the 3.0 is not a very good engine for the ranger
Last edited by Lead Head; Jan 5, 2008 at 06:19 PM.
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the 3.0 is pretty rock solid, however you get pretty much the same mpgs but much less power...might as well stick with the 2.3 4 banger and get better mpgs. The 4.0 has been around since '97 in the explorers and 2001 for the Ranger. 01-03 or so the 4.0 had a timing chain rattle issue, but that has since been solved. The 4.0 SOHC is a very well built engine...
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,542
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From: Murphysboro, IL
The 2.3 has an aluminum block and aluminum heads. Overheat it once and it's cooked, I think in the long run the 2.3 will not last as long. Not available on 4wd models
The 3.0 has a cast iron block and heads, same 3.0 of yesteryear and they last along time. A little more economical than the 4.0. The only way it is available on 4wd models is with a reg cab.
The 4.0 has a cast iron block and aluminum heads. Good engine, have not heard any complaints about it pwerwise or durability. Gas mileage varies but all reports I have heard is it is not any better than an F-150 with a 4.6V8.
I have a 2007 Ranger reg. cab 4wd with the 3.0 and the 5 speed auto. I wish I had the manual trans instead of the auto because with the manual I think I could gain another 1-2 mpg's. Only downside to the 3.0 reg cab is it is only available with a 4.10 rear end and I wish I had either 3.73's or 3.55's as I am on the highway in between places and I'd like to see those rpm's drop a bit more on the highway. I am getting about 19-20 mpg with my truck, 21-22 if only on the highway about 60-65 mph.
The 3.0 has a cast iron block and heads, same 3.0 of yesteryear and they last along time. A little more economical than the 4.0. The only way it is available on 4wd models is with a reg cab.
The 4.0 has a cast iron block and aluminum heads. Good engine, have not heard any complaints about it pwerwise or durability. Gas mileage varies but all reports I have heard is it is not any better than an F-150 with a 4.6V8.
I have a 2007 Ranger reg. cab 4wd with the 3.0 and the 5 speed auto. I wish I had the manual trans instead of the auto because with the manual I think I could gain another 1-2 mpg's. Only downside to the 3.0 reg cab is it is only available with a 4.10 rear end and I wish I had either 3.73's or 3.55's as I am on the highway in between places and I'd like to see those rpm's drop a bit more on the highway. I am getting about 19-20 mpg with my truck, 21-22 if only on the highway about 60-65 mph.
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The Pacifier
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Cloverdale, BC
The 3.0 ain't bad. It isn't great, but it isn't bad. I don't really regret my decision, but if I were doing it again, I'd get a 4.0 stick 4x4. The auto really ticks me off.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: SW Indiana
I agree with Joe. The 3.0 is the only, and I mean only, complaint I have about my truck in 5 1/2 years and 96k miles. I'd go up to the 4.0 or down to the 2.3 depending on what your power/torque vs. mpg needs are.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2001
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From: Florida
I had an 02 with the 4.0 and loved the engine, but hated the gas mileage. It was very quick to rev up and was quiet, but i averaged 16 mpg no matter if i was on the highway or around town. It was an AUTO with 4wd
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New User
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From: michigan
Great to hear your opinions on the newer Rangers. It sounds like Ford has the major bugs worked out for the 4.0. I was on the Chevy Colorado site and thay all were complaining about all the trouble they are having with their engines. I know there is no pefrect truck for everyone but I just want to get something I can depend on. As far as gas milage goes I plan on getting a 2wd and besides I will be going from a 2001 Excursion w/V-10 so there is a big window for improvement there. I hope Ford comes back out with some incentives again on the 2008 Ranger.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Streamwood,IL
Bought a 07 Escape for the wife with the new 2.3(twin cam) what a scream this engine is. I like to have one in my 99 Ranger(2.5). It revs like no redline without labor, and moves the Escape nicely down the road, and quickly if you don't take your foot off the floor...There's a little more vehicle to move than my Ranger, and I assume its the same engine, except its FWD.....
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Ishpeming Mi.
I have an old '94 4.0 M5OD XCab 4x4 and I get around 21mpg on the highway. Not too shabby for a vehical that has 177xxx mi. on it. Burns some oil, but, for only the price of an exhaust system [it was shot], I can't complain. Plenty of zip, even w/out the gas pedal mod. A free vehical, darn near, and NO RUST!!! For da yooper it is quite a nice machine.
Post Fiend
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The 3.0 has the power of the 4 cylinder and the mpg of the 4.0, so it's sorta worthless, but very dependable. The 4.0 is awesome engine and by far the best choice in a ranger. The 4.0 has allways had great torque, but the sohc 4.0 has hp to match. They redesigned the chain tensioners in 03.