hi guys, been a while. I'm currently selling my F-150 to get back into a ranger. i've regretted getting rid of my ranger since the day i did it. im looking to get into a 5 speed extra cab, but im torn between 4 cylinder or 4.0L. 2001 and up. what do you guys think? im looking for gas milage but i also need enough power. thanks!

 

4.0L hands down. i love mine and the fuel mileage isnt too bad even with 33s. its geat to have the power when you need it and not have to worry about it

 

what do you get on the highway? thats what i will mainly be driving. i have a corolla for commuting but i do mechanic work on the side, and i need a truck that gets over 20 on the highway. my old automatic 4.0 got right at 20/21 on straight interstate, so i would imagine a 5 speed would be a little better.

 

i get between 18-21 on the highway with my 4.0 5spd

 

and you're 4wd so 2 should be better i would think. but thats pretty good.

 

its really hard to find 2wd 4.0 rangers...theyre out there but theyre few and far between

 

I would def go with the 4cyl if it's 2wd and mileage is a concern.Having said that my first car was a Ranger 4.0 and it's a reliable engine with good power(218,??? miles outta mine).The 4cyl is alot better on gas.

 

My 92 model was.

 

If they were available with a 4 cyl Ida got my 2011 in 4wd.

 

the OP is looking for 01+ 4.0 lol

 

If it's mileage you want get the 4cyl!

 

Yea it will be 2wd. But the problem is finding a 4 cyl OR a 4.0 extra cab manual. All the xcab manuals I find around here are 3.0. Nothing against it I just don't want one. Now I know there are 3 different 4 cylinders. 2.5, and 2 different 2.3's? What's the difference?

 

3rd gen rangers used the 2.3 Lima(SOHC 8V), 98-01.5 used the 2.5 Lima(SOHC 8V) and 01.5 to present use the 2.3 Duratec(DOHC 16V) and the duratec is the perferred 4cyl

 

Awesome that's what I needed to know. Thanks for the info!

 

I would say go withe the Duratec 4cyl. You can mod them slightly to get plenty of kick out of them. (Turbo maybe?)

 

no problem...i will tell you this though usually the 4cyl rangers are pretty bare bones(no power options) but seeing how your DD is a corolla VE youre used to that(i work at a toyota dealer so i know how bare bones a VE corolla is lol)

 

Yea I'm actually looking for an xl. rubber floor, vinyl seats, crank windows. The usual stripped out pickup lol

 

FYI You can't get an extended cab 01+ 4cyl.

 

Really. Well looks like I'm Gettin a single cab lol

 

if you want an extended cab the 3.0 is the standard motor...if the 3.0 is in a 2wd ranger its not a bad motor...its when you add the extra weight of the 4wd that the 3.0 really struggles

 

If you are looking for an extend cab 2wd ranger. I would look at getting a sport or edge with a 3.0. I know a lot of people hate them, but I like mine quiet a bit. It was a 2006, bare bone, 2wd, manual, with 4.10 and I was pulling just shy of 25mpg on the high way. That was also with my foot in it all the time though.

 

20mpg outta a 4.0L can be done. I did it this weekend. As long as you don't lift it and you have to look for a truck w/ 3:73s. I'm sure the tune helps a little. but it can be done. Don't vote it out.

 

Well a 3.0 isn't out of the question I guess. But I did find 2 2002 xcab 2.3 manuals out there online. But I'm starting to see they are very rare

 

So my next question lol. Are there any differences in the 3.0s 2001 and after? Did they ever go to coil on plug?

 

no lol...the 3.0 went pretty much unchanged from its into in the late 80s up until ford dropped it after 08 lol