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  #1  
Old 04-21-2014, 03:55 AM
mrmoerder mrmoerder is offline
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Default Pros and Cons of the 3.0 vs. 4.0

I currently have a 93 2.3. In the future, perhaps this summer, i want to trade in for a bigger v-6 4x4 ranger. Whats better, 3.0 or 4.0? I know people who have had both, and the 3.0 died around 120xxx.
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  #2  
Old 04-21-2014, 04:00 AM
ranger024x4 ranger024x4 is offline
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Default Re: Pros and Cons of the 3.0 vs. 4.0

I wouldnt even consider a 3.0.

with that being said, both motors are reliable as long as you/previous owner keeps up with the maintenance.
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Old 04-21-2014, 04:02 AM
96_4x4_XLT 96_4x4_XLT is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mrmoerder View Post
I currently have a 93 2.3. In the future, perhaps this summer, i want to trade in for a bigger v-6 4x4 ranger. Whats better, 3.0 or 4.0? I know people who have had both, and the 3.0 died around 120xxx.
4.0

Good power
decent mpg

3.0

Bad power
bad mpg
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  #4  
Old 04-21-2014, 07:49 AM
SB03Ranger SB03Ranger is offline
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4.0

The 3.0L is such a dog compared to it. I have a 4 and my brother has a 3 and it's night and day.
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Old 04-21-2014, 08:00 AM
lone_bull lone_bull is offline
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As someone who owns a 3.0, this time listen to the haters lol. Its better than my old 4 banger but im still left wanting. Theyre right in the aspect that the mpg is about the same but youll find more hp & much needed torque in the 4.0. The real question here is sohc or dohc.
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  #6  
Old 04-21-2014, 08:05 AM
ranger024x4 ranger024x4 is offline
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Default Re: Pros and Cons of the 3.0 vs. 4.0

no such thing as a dohc 4.0

you probably mean sohc and ohv
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Old 04-21-2014, 08:14 AM
lone_bull lone_bull is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ranger024x4 View Post
no such thing as a dohc 4.0

you probably mean sohc and ohv
Yea that sry. Im still waking up lol
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  #8  
Old 04-21-2014, 08:28 AM
pk9298 pk9298 is offline
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Default Re: Pros and Cons of the 3.0 vs. 4.0

3.slow
4.power

Nuff said. You will regret the 3.0 unless your an elderly man who does not go above 30.
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  #9  
Old 04-21-2014, 08:50 AM
Jatoman23 Jatoman23 is offline
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4.0
More power, more torque, same mpg as 3.slow.
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  #10  
Old 04-21-2014, 09:04 AM
Keto Keto is offline
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Exclamation Re: Pros and Cons of the 3.0 vs. 4.0

4.slow, or 3.slower...

Isnt a big difference. Theres no such thing as a stock or near-stock Ranger with good power or mpg.
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  #11  
Old 04-21-2014, 09:19 AM
Lariat Lariat is offline
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Default Re: Pros and Cons of the 3.0 vs. 4.0

4. oh my god

3. oh no

biggest issues with the 4.0's is the lifters on the ohv's (tend to make noise) and the timing chain tensioners on the sohc.

3.0 issues are the cam sync, and that's all i know.
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  #12  
Old 04-21-2014, 09:23 AM
Scooterjr Scooterjr is offline
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I have a 3.0 and you won't be happy with it. Get a 4.0 if you can.
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  #13  
Old 04-21-2014, 09:33 AM
Himecraig Himecraig is offline
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Default Re: Pros and Cons of the 3.0 vs. 4.0

for me the engine size, gearing, tires and suspension all depended on what I expected out of the truck at the time.
when I was working and putting on 150 to 200 miles a day my single cab stock 2.3 5sp worked out great...plus it was zippy and had plenty of power if left unloaded and if it was loaded down then for safety sake I'd be going slower anyways.
Now that I retired I have what I consider to be a 4.0 gas burner that looks good...but no way I'd ever consider using it as my DD.
you are what you drive and if you need to say I gots me a 4.0 then by all means get it.
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  #14  
Old 04-21-2014, 10:08 AM
Boris Boris is offline
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Default Re: Pros and Cons of the 3.0 vs. 4.0

Mileage and power all depends on what the driver needs it for and how they drive. For me the 3.0 is best. If I were just drive back and forth to moms then a 4 banger with a 3.45 gear would be best. If I wanted to tow the most I could then it would be 4.0

Right now I have a 3.0 and driving the same roads doing the same work I did with my 2.5 with 4.10 gear, the 3.0 actually does better on gas just driving AND gets way better mileage hauling stuff with the 3.73 gearing. I can also use E85 in mine, and in my parts right now the price to mileage ratio comes out to me saving money. E85 also adds power, not much but 5-7% more, I can notice it not needing as much pedal to keep it at 60 and mileage hauling or driving stays the same. While 87 mileage drops a good bit hauling, that means I spend even less on gas.

The OP will not be happy if they get a 4.0 and just drive to the party store for bread, and thats all the hauling it will do. they will also be unhappy if they get a 3.0 and try to haul the most the Ranger can haul.

Make an educated choice OP. figure out what it will be used for. If it is not hauling super heavy or any load at all then go for a 4 banger. If it will haul a few 1,000 to 1,200 pound loads a week and thats it then go for the 3.0. If you plan on hauling 3,000 pounds plus then regularly then you need a 4.0. Dont judge your purchase off from others opinion, you need whats best for you!
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  #15  
Old 04-21-2014, 02:25 PM
Devon H. Devon H. is offline
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Default Re: Pros and Cons of the 3.0 vs. 4.0

4.0 no question
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