I'm new to this forum and relatively new to Rangers so excuse me for my ignorance. Anyways, I bought a used 2004 3.0 2wd with roughly 95,000 miles and some change on it.

The thing runs beautifully with no problems and normal maintenance is performed on it.

My only problem is, I would like a little more power and maybe some gas mileage.

So my questions are.

Is it worth the money or would it just be a waste of my time?

If it is worth it, what brand/chip would you recommend?

Also, I know these engines have a reputation for being pretty bullet proof but I was just thinking maybe 95k might be a little much to go ahead and do this. What are your thoughts?

Again, sorry if I come off as an idiot. I'm pretty new to "modding" so I just want to get my head around the idea before I go and do something that'll hurt it more than make it better.

Last thing, What are cheap engine mods I could do to help performance a little bit?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

bump

 

The only thing the "performance chip" will do is alter the timing table, advancing the timing so you have to use premium fuel. The increase in MPG will be negligible, so
you just end up with a lighter wallet. The OEM setup is optimized for efficiency, due to CAF standards, so don't throw your money away. The best way to increase your MPG
is by changing your driving habits.

 

You can get more timing without using premium fuel, oem tunes are for the worst engine and combinations of parts possible. Every engine is different and some will knock, some will not. OEM tunes will be safe for even the lesser performing engines. I would tune it by modifying the rom without a chip if the ecu is your basic eeprom. You can advance timing and lean out mixtures without increasing fuel octane I've been paid to do it for years.

Driving habbits will make the biggest difference though.

 

A FLASH memory is usually used.

 

You can do alot more than just play with fuel and spark maps if you have the right software. I've actually completely reprogrammed the XML on my IX to not fail any test for any emissions related component (parts that I've completely removed, catalyst, egr, carbon canister), Force OBD2 readiness, adjust knock strategy, and a bunch of other goodies.

 

im no expert on the subject but i own a 04 edge 3.0 w/ 90000 on it and i added a superchip programmer and the difference was very noticable i run it on the performance settingand adjust for my 285/75/16 and run regular gas and it will now chirp the tires in second and third and my milage went up about 3 mpg. if i had it to do over again though i would go with a bamachip

 

I'm having Fred at Rogue do me an xcal3. I was going to go with a livewire but he said an xcal3 and a scan gauge2 would be a cheaper but excellent choice. Search the forum, there are a thousand threads on this topic.

 

I would imagine the diffrence in changing the shift pressures alone would make a tuner worth it.