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  #1  
Old 01-04-2013, 09:00 AM
MadridRanger1994 MadridRanger1994 is offline
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Default Why does everyone despise the 3.0 engine?

I have both the 4.0L and the 3.0L and I think both are great engines, and neither of them have ever let me down,, what I don't understand is what makes the 3.0 so bad?
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  #2  
Old 01-04-2013, 09:09 AM
MadridRanger1994 MadridRanger1994 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MadridRanger1994
I have both the 4.0L and the 3.0L and I think both are great engines, and neither of them have ever let me down,, what I don't understand is what makes the 3.0 so bad?
Both 4.0 & 3.0
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  #3  
Old 01-04-2013, 09:10 AM
2008RangerSport 2008RangerSport is offline
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Default Re: Why does everyone despise the 3.0 engine?

4.0 and 3.0 get the same gas mileage despite the fact that the 4.0 has way more horsepower...wish I had a 4.0
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  #4  
Old 01-04-2013, 09:26 AM
03DJ 03DJ is offline
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3.0 is way underpowered compared to the 4.0. You may not really notice it if you are just driving it but when you start hauling with the 3.0, you'd have to step on the gas a lot harder and more often.
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  #5  
Old 01-04-2013, 09:42 AM
2008RangerSport 2008RangerSport is offline
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Default Re: Why does everyone despise the 3.0 engine?

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Originally Posted by 03DJ View Post
3.0 is way underpowered compared to the 4.0. You may not really notice it if you are just driving it but when you start hauling with the 3.0, you'd have to step on the gas a lot harder and more often.
this is true as well

after driving my 3.0 for a few years I finally got to drive a 4.0 FX4 I was looking at and the difference was amazing...the 4.0 was wayyyyyy better
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2008 Ford Ranger Sport 3.0L 4X2 "Stormtrooper"
Mods: Black window shields, Black bug shield, UWS Low-Profile Toolbox, Air Box Mod w/ K&N Drop-in, Blinker Mod, Throttle Cable Mod, Clear corners, OHC, DDM Tuning 35W 6000k HID headlights and fog lights, LED lights, Tow Hooks, 31" BFG KOs, Prekeys w/ Tbar crank, projector retrofit, RCI front skid plate, Pro Comp 7031, cherry bomb glasspack side exit exhaust, kicker door speakers, kicker 12" sub with 600 watt amp
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  #6  
Old 01-04-2013, 09:47 AM
03DJ 03DJ is offline
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Originally Posted by 2008RangerSport View Post

this is true as well

after driving my 3.0 for a few years I finally got to drive a 4.0 FX4 I was looking at and the difference was amazing...the 4.0 was wayyyyyy better
Same here. Unfortunately the dealership wasn't willing to drop the price 1,000. The next Ranger I get has to have a 4.0. The 4.0 is pretty nice... You could also squeeze out a little more horsepower out of it than the 3.0.
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  #7  
Old 01-04-2013, 09:50 AM
2004xlmiller 2004xlmiller is offline
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Default Re: Why does everyone despise the 3.0 engine?

plus the 3.0s have the hit or miss cam sync issue.. but regardless, i love my 3.0. with the proper gearing it can haul ass, mine gets up and goes alright. but yes, the mileage should be better on a small V6, im getting around 18 every tank. thats pretty evenly mixed highway/city driving.
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  #8  
Old 01-04-2013, 09:51 AM
2008RangerSport 2008RangerSport is offline
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Default Re: Why does everyone despise the 3.0 engine?

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Originally Posted by 2004xlmiller View Post
plus the 3.0s have the hit or miss cam sync issue.. but regardless, i love my 3.0. with the proper gearing it can haul ass, mine gets up and goes alright. but yes, the mileage should be better on a small V6, im getting around 18 every tank. thats pretty evenly mixed highway/city driving.
damn how are you getting that good mpg...im getting like 15 mpg lol
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2008 Ford Ranger Sport 3.0L 4X2 "Stormtrooper"
Mods: Black window shields, Black bug shield, UWS Low-Profile Toolbox, Air Box Mod w/ K&N Drop-in, Blinker Mod, Throttle Cable Mod, Clear corners, OHC, DDM Tuning 35W 6000k HID headlights and fog lights, LED lights, Tow Hooks, 31" BFG KOs, Prekeys w/ Tbar crank, projector retrofit, RCI front skid plate, Pro Comp 7031, cherry bomb glasspack side exit exhaust, kicker door speakers, kicker 12" sub with 600 watt amp
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  #9  
Old 01-04-2013, 09:55 AM
2004xlmiller 2004xlmiller is offline
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Default Re: Why does everyone despise the 3.0 engine?

trying not to go over 68-70 on the highway, after that the mpgs fall harder than bricks. plus its a manual trans, that helps. im running 32s with 4.10s, K&N drop in, and i keep fresh oil in it. making sure everything is maintained top notch can help pull better mpgs, and just light driving.
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  #10  
Old 01-04-2013, 09:57 AM
03DJ 03DJ is offline
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Originally Posted by 2004xlmiller View Post
plus the 3.0s have the hit or miss cam sync issue.. but regardless, i love my 3.0. with the proper gearing it can haul ass, mine gets up and goes alright. but yes, the mileage should be better on a small V6, im getting around 18 every tank. thats pretty evenly mixed highway/city driving.
I love my 3.0 as well but it sucks when it comes to towing a 1,500 lb load over hwy 299. That and it takes a little getting used to after driving a Mustang for a while.
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2003 Ford Ranger FX4: 4.0L V6 | Auto | 4.10s | 265/75R16 BFG AT KO2 | Ion Alloy 174 | Pioneer radio | Alpine Speakers| 06 tails | Thunderbolt turn signal mirrors | Kobalt Toolbox | 22" LED lightbar | Blackout headlights | Headache Rack | 140K miles. DWB!
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  #11  
Old 01-04-2013, 09:57 AM
doyouquaxu doyouquaxu is offline
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Default Re: Why does everyone despise the 3.0 engine?

shit miles per gallon
shit horsepower/torque
shit for aftermarket support
complete shit when you actually want to use the truck
if you lift it/put bigger tires on, you're flooring it everywhere even when re-geared
re-sale is a lot harder
hell, even ford knew the 3.0 was shit and finally stopped putting them in rangers.
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  #12  
Old 01-04-2013, 09:58 AM
2008RangerSport 2008RangerSport is offline
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Default Re: Why does everyone despise the 3.0 engine?

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2004xlmiller View Post
trying not to go over 68-70 on the highway, after that the mpgs fall harder than bricks. plus its a manual trans, that helps. im running 32s with 4.10s, K&N drop in, and i keep fresh oil in it. making sure everything is maintained top notch can help pull better mpgs, and just light driving.
shit I run 80 on the highway...guess ill slow down haha...I keep the oil changed like it supposed to be and everything like that...ill be getting an alignment next week that may help cause im sure it needs it...and the manual trans would help a lot lol
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2008 Ford Ranger Sport 3.0L 4X2 "Stormtrooper"
Mods: Black window shields, Black bug shield, UWS Low-Profile Toolbox, Air Box Mod w/ K&N Drop-in, Blinker Mod, Throttle Cable Mod, Clear corners, OHC, DDM Tuning 35W 6000k HID headlights and fog lights, LED lights, Tow Hooks, 31" BFG KOs, Prekeys w/ Tbar crank, projector retrofit, RCI front skid plate, Pro Comp 7031, cherry bomb glasspack side exit exhaust, kicker door speakers, kicker 12" sub with 600 watt amp
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  #13  
Old 01-04-2013, 09:59 AM
2004xlmiller 2004xlmiller is offline
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Default Re: Why does everyone despise the 3.0 engine?

Quote:
Originally Posted by 03DJ View Post
I love my 3.0 as well but it sucks when it comes to towing a 1,500 lb load over hwy 299. That and it takes a little getting used to after driving a Mustang for a while.
i hear ya.. that highway sucks in general, couldnt imagine hauling something with my truck through there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by doyouquaxu View Post
shit miles per gallon
shit horsepower/torque
shit for aftermarket support
complete shit when you actually want to use the truck
if you lift it/put bigger tires on, you're flooring it everywhere even when re-geared
re-sale is a lot harder
hell, even ford knew the 3.0 was shit and finally stopped putting them in rangers.
this, although most of its power is at the top end. they love the high revs.
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  #14  
Old 01-04-2013, 10:00 AM
03DJ 03DJ is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2008RangerSport View Post

shit I run 80 on the highway...guess ill slow down haha...I keep the oil changed like it supposed to be and everything like that...ill be getting an alignment next week that may help cause im sure it needs it...and the manual trans would help a lot lol
Well max speed limit in California is 70. Haha. Just drive it more lightly.
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2003 Ford Ranger FX4: 4.0L V6 | Auto | 4.10s | 265/75R16 BFG AT KO2 | Ion Alloy 174 | Pioneer radio | Alpine Speakers| 06 tails | Thunderbolt turn signal mirrors | Kobalt Toolbox | 22" LED lightbar | Blackout headlights | Headache Rack | 140K miles. DWB!
Build Thread <-- Clicky

March 2015 TOTM

2016 Ford Fusion SE. 1.5L EcoBoost. 6-speed Auto. White Platinum Tri-Coat Metallic. 18" 5 spoke black rims. Daily Driver.

Quote:
Originally Posted by OhioMike View Post
One can never have too many detailing supplies.
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  #15  
Old 01-04-2013, 10:00 AM
2004xlmiller 2004xlmiller is offline
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Default Re: Why does everyone despise the 3.0 engine?

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2008RangerSport View Post
shit I run 80 on the highway...guess ill slow down haha...I keep the oil changed like it supposed to be and everything like that...ill be getting an alignment next week that may help cause im sure it needs it...and the manual trans would help a lot lol
yours an auto? look into a tuner, autos respond better than manuals to those due to changing the shift points for an economy tune vs performance tune. and yea a light foot will keep your wallet a lil heavier.
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