Hello I have a 2003 3.0 V6 automatic Ranger Edge and I wanted to know why when I am driving at a cruising speed or even slower if I step on the gas to the floor let’s say for an overtaking the engine does rev up (3500 -4500 RPM) and it sounds as expected when you accelerate however It does not seem the truck is going faster nor pulling harder, it basically lacks of power. The tranny works smoothly under normal conditions; to this day I have never experienced shifting problems with this truck nor abnormal behavior. Still, I do believe this situation could be related to the transmission as not long ago when the trans fluid was replaced I was advised by the mechanic that there was debris coming out with the old fluid and mentioned I should start thinking about replacing the transmission before it gives me trouble but the transmission still works just fine on everyday driving.

 

You're going 85mph.. that is hardly "cruising speed". You have a 3.0 and want to gun it to overtake someone going 85mph.. you're almost to the max speed of the truck.. you're not going to have much left, as you're in 5th gear already. If you weren't an automatic, you could just downshift or something to try to pass.

Don't go replacing your transmission.. replace your engine with a 5.0

 

Assuming 27" tires, 3.73 axle, .75 OD(5th gear) ratio, then at 85MPH you should be at about 2,950RPMs

If you floor it and it kicks down to 4th gear you would see 3,950rpm at 85MPH

2003 3.0l is rated as 152HP @ 5,200rpm
And 180ftlb torque @ 3,900rpms

So yes you should have a little more "get up and go" even at 85MPH, but torque is what you want and that peaks at 3,900rpm, so above that you only have the HP keeping you going which does add speed but slowly.

You have the 5R44E 5-speed automatic, which is generally a good transmission.
It is controlled by the computer.
Shifting is based on RPM and speed, along with throttle position(gas pedal).
WOT(wide open throttle, foot to the floor) should cause torque converter to lock up.

One thing you can check is if you get WOT using the gas pedal, Rangers are known for stretched throttle cables.
Open the hood, engine off
Have someone push the gas pedal to the floor
Then see if you can open the throttle any more manually

If you can then cable has stretched.
Google: ranger throttle cable mod

Basically you need to put a zapstrap(ziptie) on the end of the cable inside the cab, this shortens the cable so you get full throttle back.

 

Thank you both for your input, I greatly appriciate the info.