New to this forum and to Rangers. Just sold my full size truck and looking for an older Ranger to purchase. Was looking for a 4 cylinder but haven't found one I liked yet. Did run into a 2001 with a 3.0L. I know nothing about this motor. Can you guys fill me in as to its reliability and things to be concerned about with this motor?
Appreciate all the help.

 

There is a white 4.0L sport on 33" riding around in your neck of the woods.

 

I have a 02 with the 3.0 that just crossed 161k. It leaks a little oil but it sat for several years when my dad was sick. Seems like a solid motor and trans that hasn't given me much problem.

 

Bought mine twelve years ago with 42,000 miles. Now it has 207,000 and still going strong.

Things to look out for:
-Cam Synchronizer (Motorcraft is the one to buy, the cheaper ones don't last)
-Timing Cover will leak coolant and sometimes oil after 100,000 miles. Doesn't affect drivability, just watch the levels and keep them topped off.
-PCV hose on driver's side valve cover likes to collapse on the pre-06 models. Ford offered an updated version in 06 with more webbing.
-Heater Hose plastic tee fittings may leak on 2001-2003 3.0 models. They use a weird heated PCV valve setup that basically runs hot coolant around the PCV valve. Ford switched to an electric heated PCV valve in 2004, so the 2004-2008 hoses for a 3.0 are less likely to leak since they don't have the additional tee fittings in the hoses.
-2004-2006 3.0's had a bad run of cylinder heads that saw some premature valve seat recession. This won't affect a 2001.

Those are pretty much the top five that are specific to the 2001+ 3.0.