3.0l Vs 4.0l
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
All of my research showed that the 2000 and later 4.0 actually gets better mileage than the 3.0 anyway.
More power and better mileage = better flexibility and to me overall better.
I got the 02 with a 4.0 and highway driving 70MPH I get almost 22MPG
I have 100k on it and nno problems ever, just a $15 DFPE sensor and 15 minutes of time to replace.
If you want mileage get the 4 banger, but you sacrifice it being a car, not a truck. With the 4.0 you can do all truck things, load her down and she will purrrrr.
More power and better mileage = better flexibility and to me overall better.
I got the 02 with a 4.0 and highway driving 70MPH I get almost 22MPG
I have 100k on it and nno problems ever, just a $15 DFPE sensor and 15 minutes of time to replace.
If you want mileage get the 4 banger, but you sacrifice it being a car, not a truck. With the 4.0 you can do all truck things, load her down and she will purrrrr.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 782
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
4.0 is awesome.
3.0 is crap.
Nuff said.
BTW....
The 2.3 SOHC is a beast. I get 26 mpg with 33" tires and haul 2500# of firewood in the bed. It may ride on the bumpstops but it aint no car. For sure.
3.0 is crap.
Nuff said.
BTW....
The 2.3 SOHC is a beast. I get 26 mpg with 33" tires and haul 2500# of firewood in the bed. It may ride on the bumpstops but it aint no car. For sure.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,437
Likes: 3
Go therangerstation.com u will hear a lot more about the 3.0 and how it blows up a lot more than the 4.0
My buddy had a 98 that blew a headgasket less than 150,000 miles and my mom's taurus 3.0 did the same thing less than 100,00 miles if i remeber correctly.
My buddy had a 98 that blew a headgasket less than 150,000 miles and my mom's taurus 3.0 did the same thing less than 100,00 miles if i remeber correctly.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 23,849
Likes: 20
From: McKenzie River
The 4.0 is without question the better motor. I know ive owned all of them, in fact IMO my rebuilt 2.8 in my 84 4x4 pulls harder than my last 3.0 did. The 3.0 is a great motor..........in a Taurus.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
hate to bust your bubble but this is my third 3.0 and no trouble from none of them. if i wanted power i would have bought a 150 which is my 2nd truck. i didnt buy the ranger for heavy work, just to get to work. which is at least 120 miles a day.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 761
Likes: 0
From: Southeast MI
Hmm, I've had '88 2.3L, 2.9's, 4.0 SOHC & now 3.0l & won't waste my time defending any but the 2.9L. To me, it's the whole truck that counts. And the 4.0L SOHC overall truck quality bugs me. At least the 2.9's main weakness is frugally fixed. If I had money to play with newer autos, I don't know what I'd think. Don't care too much for going all that quick though. Long as I get there in reasonable time frame without getting on my nerves, such as in unnecessary, wasteful gadgets. The Ranger's key root of success has been in being that simple, tough truck, which Ford has forgotten or ignored for some years now.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,147
Likes: 0
The 4.0 isn't fast, it's not a mustang, it's a truck. However it does have enough power to get out of it's own way. You can safely pass with it or get on an on ramp. The lowend torque is where it really shines in my opinion, couple that with the fact it gets the same or better mpg than a 3.0, plus it's every bit as dependable if not more than a 3.0, who needs a 3.0? I mean if you have one in your truck, fine. However I wouldn't go out of my way to get one either. Were talking choice here, anyone in thier right mind given the choice, would take the 4.0 over the 3.0, it's just common sense. The 3.0 should have been dropped after the duratec 2.3 came out in 01 as it was no longer needed. I hope ranger gets the duratec 2.5 next year, 170 hp will really make for a sweet 4 banger in the ranger. That would be the same hp if not more than the old push rod 4.0 had and still get excellent mpg. If they would put the 2.5 in a ranger with the 4wd option, I would concider that over my 4.0 because of mpg. However the 4.0 is still a fun motor off/road with FX4 package and the torson, it scoots in the dirt.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 23,849
Likes: 20
From: McKenzie River
Yes, I agree the 3.0 is pointless. it doesnt get the mpg. of the 2.3 or near the h.p of the 4.0, in fact ive left my buddys 3.0 ranger behind on a long grade with my old 2.8 carbed v6. ranger. the 3.0 really shines in a Taurus, where torque numbers dont matter.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,979
Likes: 2
From: central ohio
i'll have to try a 3.0 in a ranger chassis someday. its a good engine for the taurus, i'll give it that. the 2.3 is a grat economy motor but really lacks in tourque. the 4.0 is about the best balance you can get. id still like to have a 200 c.i.d inline 4 diesel though. that would be the next motor option id like to see be available.