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Anyone have experience with the 3.0L V6 in early-2000s Rangers?

b00sted

TCG Elite Member
TCG Premium
Oct 6, 2010
7,834
23,515
Haha, yeah a 5.3, 4L80, and 8.8"(if it doesn't have one already) would practically fall right in.


I'm looking for a daily driver that I can also use to transport the dirtbike and occasionally move random stuff. I'm not looking to tow anything more than a small utility trailer.
 

Dasfinc

Ready for the EVlution
Sep 28, 2007
20,919
1,321
Wheaton, IL
Only Emerson tagged me.... Really???

1998+ rangers have these known 'problem points':

Front suspension wear:
the upper ball joints are not replaceable
Control arm bushings go causing inner camber wear
Whole front rebuild cheap and easy (sub $200 in parts + an alignment) just a thing to be aware of

'the ranger lean':
They all lean to the left, the fuel tank strictly sits on the driver side... As does the 300lb delivery driver that used it the 10 years before you bought it.
If it bothers you, replace the leafs, reasonable cost, but you will break lots of rusty bolts.

4.0 SOHC:
Steer clear of early trucks, they like to eat timing belt tensioners

4.0 OHV:
Near bullet proof, very thirsty (MAYBE 15mpg in 4x4 trim)
Coil packs are prone to fail
3.0 OHV:
Gutless, also nearly bullet proof (surprisingly have a dead on in my garage)
Camshaft Syncros are prone to fail
4 bangers:
The OHV ones are gutless but reliable. The newer OHC ones are actually quite nice
Transmissions (auto) are prone to failure.

Manual Transmission V6 trucks - M5ODr2:
Very easy to bend shift forks, do not shift like you are imitating fast and the furious and it won't happen.

Rear spring shackles and hangers-
They rust BAD, super cheap to replace, and can be done with the bed on, but will be a rust-in-eyes filled event.

Pre-2000 4x4 front hubs- are Vacuum operated, and known to be problematic/finicky

Lastly, 5.0 SBF damn near bolts in from the 1996+ V8 explorers, which is the motor is should have come with from the factory.... I'm working on my SECOND V8 ranger right now.
 

Dasfinc

Ready for the EVlution
Sep 28, 2007
20,919
1,321
Wheaton, IL
Haha, yeah a 5.3, 4L80, and 8.8"(if it doesn't have one already) would practically fall right in.


I'm looking for a daily driver that I can also use to transport the dirtbike and occasionally move random stuff. I'm not looking to tow anything more than a small utility trailer.

most rangers have a 7.5, the 8.8 was optional. It was standard on some flavor of 4.0 4x4 trucks, but most Rangers don't have many options to begin with :-(.
 

boostedguy05

not well known
TCG Premium
Dec 18, 2010
34,175
25,505
Only Emerson tagged me.... Really???

did you really want a million tags? it was the second post, no need to tag you again. but if it makes you feel warm and tingly inside
[MENTION=126]Dasfinc[/MENTION]
[MENTION=126]Dasfinc[/MENTION]
[MENTION=126]Dasfinc[/MENTION]
[MENTION=126]Dasfinc[/MENTION]
[MENTION=126]Dasfinc[/MENTION]
[MENTION=126]Dasfinc[/MENTION]
[MENTION=126]Dasfinc[/MENTION]
[MENTION=126]Dasfinc[/MENTION]

:rofl:
 
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