4 cyl engine in 2003 ranger

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Feb 14, 2003 | 05:43 PM

fordxxx

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From: Calgary

4 cyl engine in 2003 ranger

Is the 2003 ranger 4 cylinder engine the same as last year? The HP rating is 143 vs 135 for last year and they describe it as DOHC, 4 valves/cylinder. Would it be built by Ford or Mazda?

Thanks

Feb 15, 2003 | 11:33 AM

Skunk Boy

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From: San Diego

4 cyl engine in 2003 ranger

I don't know if this year's engine is the same as last year but I do know that it will be made by Mazda. I had a 00' ranger with the 4 banger and a 5 speed and man was that thing fun to drive. That truck would rev to the moon. The 4 banger and the 3.0L V6 are going to be made by Mazda. In my opinion the 4 banger would be ok because you are supposed to rev all 4 bangers. I would only opt for a 5 speed with the 4 banger though. I would not waste your time with the 3.0L V6. I think that V6's should have torque and horsepower. Agree? The 3.0L only has horsepower which means you get NOTHING until you get the rpm's up around 5000. I drove one up to the mountains with a automatic and I couldn't pass anyone because it had no power. In my opinion the 4.0L is still the best engine offered. You get tons of torque and a good amount of horsepower. I know there is a huge price difference between the 3.0L and the 4.0L but the difference in power application far outweighs the difference in price. Just my opinion. Oh, by the way I am pretty sure that the 4.0L is still "Made in the USA". If anyone disagrees let me know. Sorry reply is so lengthy.

Feb 18, 2003 | 03:18 AM

DainBramage

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4 cyl engine in 2003 ranger

In late 01 (I believe), they switched from the old Lima 2.3 to the Duratech 2.3. Different motors. The Duratech is a much free-er revving, higher output motor, used in many other applications in Ford cars. Definitely a large improvement over the old one, but we'll see how it does in long term durability..
Any changes in HP from year to year are the result of tuning, as this is still a pretty new engine, and is still being refined.

Feb 18, 2003 | 06:06 AM

ranger pat

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From: Elk River, MN

4 cyl engine in 2003 ranger

Actually, the 4.0L is made in Germany by Ford. The 3.0L is made in the US by Ford. The early 2.3L's in 2001 were made by MAZDA in Japan, but now they are made by Ford in the US. The 2.3L motor is a Mazda design, but made here. It is not a bad motor, if you like a high reving engine. All the HP and torque are an high rpm, unlike the 4.0L which I consider to be a low reving torquer.