Which Ranger?
#1
05-02-2006
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Which Ranger?
Hey guys and gals. I'm new to the site but i've been reading over old posts for several days. Anyways to the point.. I trying to decide which Ranger I should buy. I've drove Rangers in the past through security companies and i've always loved them. Currently I have 2 small cars and a 00 5.4L F150, yes the insurance and taxes are killing me. I was thinking of selling the two small cars and trading the truck on a 4cyl. Ranger. Gas mileage is important in my decision. But I want a truck I can work on occasion, preferably pull a small-meduim trailers also. It seems the 3.0L would be perfect although in 4x4 trim but from what I've read it doesn't get to much better than the f150 (17mpg currently). I would like a regular cab but all I can find are the extended. If I could get 20-25mpg highway I would satisfied, probably keep one of the small cars for now. Also there doesn't seem to be much difference in mpg between the 3.0 and 4.0. I think i've narrowed it down to a 3.0L 4x4 extended cab since that seems to be the most plentiful and cheapest in the area, and in my mpg range. Do you guys think that would be a good fit for my needs or would the 4.0L be more sufficent in the long run? I'm only looking to spend 11-12k so it would be used.
#2
05-02-2006
#3
05-02-2006
Let me add this too, I used a 3.0 Ranger at work for a short time and it didn't have the get up and go my 4.0 has. I used to pull(with my truck) a 12' steakbed trailer w/ a very heavy professional grade lawn mower(60" Dixie Chopper) and it did pretty well. When the 3.0 pulled a trailer with a heavy load it took a while to get up and go. 3.0's just don't have enough uumph or power for me.
#4
05-02-2006
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#5
05-02-2006
if you keep you rpm's below 2K when not pulling a trailer, you should average around 18-20MPG. thats what I am averaging around since I have began driving under the 2K rpm mark in the past cpl of weeks. the 4.0 however, may seem like a reral pansy against the 5.4 v8 tho, but its pretty sporty for a lil truck... I personally, say got a 4.0 with 4 doors and the LS rear... the open rear kinda sucks. trusty me, i have one. tho i wish I had the 4 doors, that would have been uberly cool
#6
05-02-2006
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Well just dont expect 20 mpg (probably not even 15) on the highway either with that 4.0L when pulling a loaded trailer, heh.. If you look at the sticker it says that both the 3.0L and 4.0L get 17/22 which I think is BS, I hear 4.0L owners on here and other forums getting like 14 and 15? But then again 4x4 is always gonna get crappier milage. That 2.3 DOHC is pretty peppy and gets 24 city/29 highway.. but I see that you prefer 4x4.. hmm
#7
05-02-2006
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#8
05-02-2006
All the comments about power and all are pretty much true. However, I have a 3.0 and it's always been "enough" engine for the Ranger.
The main thing the 3.0 has going is that it's a much more trouble free and long lasting engine (or so it has been reported) than the 4.0 SOHC.
If you don't push the truck, you'll get about the same mileage in a 3.0, 4.0, and 5.0. Why? Because it takes about the same amount of energy to move the truck at a certain acceleration, lol. It's only when you push harder that the real differences arise.
Some 4.0's get BETTER gas mileage than the 3.0 though because the overhead cam configuration is inherently more efficient than conventional cam drive. DOHC would be even better.
Having driven 2.5, 2.3, 3.0, and 4.0 motors -- I would rank them in the order listed for power, with the 4.0 WAY out in front of all the others.
The main thing the 3.0 has going is that it's a much more trouble free and long lasting engine (or so it has been reported) than the 4.0 SOHC.
If you don't push the truck, you'll get about the same mileage in a 3.0, 4.0, and 5.0. Why? Because it takes about the same amount of energy to move the truck at a certain acceleration, lol. It's only when you push harder that the real differences arise.
Some 4.0's get BETTER gas mileage than the 3.0 though because the overhead cam configuration is inherently more efficient than conventional cam drive. DOHC would be even better.
Having driven 2.5, 2.3, 3.0, and 4.0 motors -- I would rank them in the order listed for power, with the 4.0 WAY out in front of all the others.
#9
05-02-2006
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As far as the weight of towing shouldn't over 1500lbs on the rare occasion. I might get a small boat someday but even the 2.3L should be able to pull it. The F150 I have currently has the limited slip and thats the thing I like the most. Never got it stuck. I'd almost rather have a ls than a 4x4 but that options hard to find.
#10
05-03-2006
Back when I gave a hoot about gas mileage, I tracked mine for months. It didn't seem to matter how I drove, it got about 17 mpg. I towed a Honda Accord from SC to VA. Got the same mileage, but I wasn't setting any speed records and spent a fair amount of time in 4th rather than 5th.
Be advised, that just because the truck is 4wd DOES NOT guarantee that it has a limited slip rear. When I bought in 2000, MOST of the 4wd's on the local lot were NOT L/S. I ordered my truck for that very reason. It all depends on what sells locally, that is what they order for the lot.
I like my 2000 XLT Off Road 4wd l/s 3.0 5 speed manual. Gas mileage is not "good" however. My drive to work is 3.8 miles, so it really doesn't matter to me.
Be advised, that just because the truck is 4wd DOES NOT guarantee that it has a limited slip rear. When I bought in 2000, MOST of the 4wd's on the local lot were NOT L/S. I ordered my truck for that very reason. It all depends on what sells locally, that is what they order for the lot.
I like my 2000 XLT Off Road 4wd l/s 3.0 5 speed manual. Gas mileage is not "good" however. My drive to work is 3.8 miles, so it really doesn't matter to me.
#11
05-03-2006
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#12
05-03-2006
3.0 works great for me. If you aren't a speedracer you don't really need the 4.0. I promise you, the 3.0 doesn't bog down at all. I've pulled a big truck that slipped off a hill into a graveyard in a winter blizzard, and the 3.0 has good *****. Sometimes it takes good RPMS, but in NO WAY does the engine actually NOT have enough performance to get the job done. If you want a fast truck tho, go 4.0 also.
Aaron
Aaron
#13
05-03-2006
Join Date: Dec 2005
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I've owned both the 3 Liter and the 4 Liter. I had a '93 4x4, standard cab, automatic trans, 3.0 V6 and 31x10.5 BFG ATs and a 2005 extended cab, 4x4 automatic, 4.0 V6 and the same tires. The fuel mileage differences are negligible. With the 3.0 I got about 18.2 miles/gallon all around (70% city), with the 4.0 I get about 17.6 miles/gallon (also 70% city). Now on to the performance differences, I feel the 4.0 has much more torque at lower RPMs. The 3.0 has enough power for most things but I'd definatly get the 4.0 again. With the 31 inch tires there is a noticable decrease in performance inn the 3.0, whereas the 4.0 doesn't even seem to notice. Lastly, with the automatic and the 3.0, the towing capacity isn't very high. In short, if you can steal a 3.0 get it, but if a 4.0 comes around that you like grab it, you will be very happy with the 4.0 and you'll be able to live with the 3.0. Welcome to the site, your life is over as you know it, now 
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#14
05-03-2006
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I found a 02 3.0 5sp regular cab Edge that really caught my eye. It wasn't a 4x4 but i've never had a 4x4 and made it this far so maybe I don't need it. I'm sure if I can get 17mpg on the current truck I can get over 20 easily on a ranger with the trim level. As far as power I drive a 65hp car everyday.. I don't imagine a 3.0L could be to much worse. Plus I find around the kc area your not going anywhere fast, idiots and traffic lights. I drove a 4.0L reg cab about year ago, was that truck ever fun to drive. But I don't know if i'd want to drive it everyday. Won't be able to go by and check out that truck this week hopefully next week they'll still have it. I'll have to test drive a couple though.. I bought this truck thinking it's what I needed and regretted that decision. And my life was over about a year ago and i'll be a goner in august.. getting married 
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