im thinking about buying a 1998 ext cab 2wd with the 3.0 automatic. i know in the taurus the 3.0 wasw good little engine but i dont know to much about the 3.0 in a ranger. ive owned 2.3 and 4.o rangers and really liked both motors. so how well does the 3.0 perform in a ranger?

 

The 3.0l Vulcan engine has been used by Ford since 1986 and until 2008
Taurus used this engine but also used the 3.0l Duratec, which had much better power.

3.0l Vulcan is a very reliable engine, but not a power house
It is a high RPM engine, making it's best torque at 3,500RPM
2.3l and 4.0l made best torque at 2,500RPM

So if you drive it like a 2.3l or 4.0l it will be gutless as heck, lol
You have to drive it like a rental car, it is what it was made for, high RPMs are required for any power.
It rates 150HP but at 5,000RPM

 

thanks for the input

 

My 3.0 runs perfect.The only thing I've done is replace water pump at 91,000 miles.O problems otherwise.
I change oil every 3000 miles with full synthentic 5w20.I also give it a dose of Lucas upper cylinder,fuel injector cleaner,every fill up.
I know I go overboard with this maintenance,but it runs so smooth,you can hardly tell the motors running.
It also has plenty of power to get thru those pesky yellow lights,and get out the way of A-hole drivers.
I have no complaints whatsoever about the 3.0. It pays to take good care of trucks !!!
see ya,old retired guy

 

So is there really any point to putting 5w20 in? This is a very old engine design with non CAD tolerances, surely 5w30 would be more appropriate?

 

FORD calls for 5w20,in their 3.0s.
I'm sure you could put 5w30,in it.But I'm sticking to 5w20.