I know most of you would choose 4.0 over a 3.0. I'm looking for a Ranger (2002+) and I'm having a really hard time finding a 4.0L, manual transmission with extended cab. There are lots of 3.0L, manual transmission with extended cab for sale in my area. I need the truck by February 21st and I'm trying to hold out for the truck I want.

My question is, will I really REGRET buying the 3.0L? Or is there a small difference between the two? Thanks.

 

oh gosh

 

i regret buying a ranger with a 3L... and auto tranny, and 2wd. wtf was i thinking

 

The 3.0 is a boat anchor. I would rather have the 4 banger.

 

keep looking

 

The 3.0 is a really dependable motor, but lacks power.

 

A thread from last week a guy was talking about not being able to find a 01'+ 4.0 manual in San Diego as well. Have you tried searching adds in L.A. as well?

 

That's because its the same guy.

 

I say hold out for a 4.0L I had a 3.0L when I was looking to buy the one I have now. I really hate the 3.0 I had nothing but problems and I get better gas mileage with my 4.0. Took a couple months for a 4.0 4x4 5 speed to pop up in my area.

 

Didn't look into it. good call.

 

the 3.0 is not a bad motor by any stretch, but its not ideal. Itll move when it needs to at the cost of 1/8th a tank of fuel lol

3.0 should be the base model for the ranger, the 4.0 should have been the normal motor size, and the 5.0 should have been thrown in a select few

 

It really depends an what you want to do with it. If you need more power, you should hold out for the 4.0. There is considerable power difference between the 3.0 and 4.0. The 3.0 is not a total slouch though. I know of many people that are very satisfied with the 3.0. They just don't care about having the extra power and like the idea of a very reliable engine that can get decent gas mileage. Having a manual transmission with the 3.0 will be a plus over the automatic.

I had to go to San Diego to find my 02 FX4 with a manual transmission. They were hard to find when I bought mine new.

 

Yeah, same guy. I STILL cannot find a 4.0L. I can only find 3.0L and I'm running out of time.

Yes, I've been looking at craigslist (San Diego, LA, Orange County and Inland Empire) AND Autotrader.com. Frustrating! I have no idea how I'm going to get around in two weeks without a truck.

 

My suggestion would be to see if you can test drive one and see if you like it or not.

 

500 dollar beater while you looking for the perfect truck that you want? No settling. In the end you might regret it.
Or would a cheap little car not be possible? As in you need the truck NOW!

 

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/esd/cto/2842713164.html
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/ctd/2842625920.html
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/esd/ctd/2842528242.html
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/ctd/2812498898.html
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/esd/cto/2842317885.html

I don't know what your looking for but that was a quick search and a wide range of price, all 4.0L.

 

I would stay away from that first one. I bet that truck had a rough 98,xxx miles.

 

My 3.0 experience
It moves you just have to drive it a little higher rpm than you would expect a 6 cylinder
Mine has 190k and still runs well
but it does get 19 mpg all the time in a manual regular cab 2wd, even when I drive easy
I havent driven a 4.0 so I dont know the difference

 

Get a 4.0. Even if its an auto. I know its "cool" to drive a manual, but big whoop.

 

* Even though I appreciate your help with the search on craigslist, they are all automatic.

I don't mind getting an automatic but I figured I'd save money if I get a manual because if the transmission needs repair, it'd be a lot cheaper. As a bonus, manual transmission saves "some" gas.

I'm curious, how reliable is the automatic transmission on the Ranger? I'm looking at probably 100-110k miles.

 

My 99 3.0 auto crapped out at 120K (the tranny, not the engine). I found out there were several TSB's on it - the reman Ford tranny seemed to be more solid which eventually replaced it. I had bad experiences attempting to have the original rebuilt. At 220K when I gave it to the BOL the engine still used less than a Qt of oil between changes.

I'm driving a 4.0 auto now. There is more power, but it's still a truck. The mileage is 2-4 MPG worse.

The 3.0 was pretty service friendly, I can't speak for the 4.0 yet. The engine bay seems to be tighter, not as easy to access. Time will tell.

I wouldn't be put off by the 3.0, it served me well. The transmission will probably need replacement though.

 

05 4.0 auto getting about 20mpg here.

 

Just do the 5 speed swap. Not that hard and about $1000 or so if you get good deals.

 

I'm seeing Plenty of 4.0 and very few 3.0 on San Francisco CL...usually. Seems like the late 90s all had the 3.0 and around here the 4.0 was more common.
The fx4 is rare...I got lucky and found an 08 fx4 black black 2dr extcab with 65k. I average 18mpg and spent a few days at my Alingment shop getting the vibration out at 75-85mph.
I still have to stick my foot in the 4.0 so if you're wondering like that 'I shoulda got aV8 commercial' then you better get what you want, these little fireplug trucks are gonna get harder to find.

 

Oh, you want a stick...that would be hard to find.
Why drive a stick...the auto is so much more chill as you young people like to say.