3.0 or 4.0 in a 94 Ranger??

[DieselHilux]

I have a 94 ranger with the worthless piece of shit 2.3 that is on its way out.

Since both engines came in the ranger, which is a better engine reliability wise and which has more low end torque??

I wanted to put a 302 in it from a V8 Exploder but that is out of the question ATM ($$$)

[Whitetrash303]

Well if you're going to buy a motor, why not buy the one you want. 5.0's are plentiful and fairly cheap. It' doesn't need to come out of an Explorer. Just get the right mounts , pan (truck pan) and exhaust manifolds. I'll even help ya out... I got your manifolds with new gaskets. Say $35, plus shipping.

[Dan76]

I have a 1994 ranger with the 3.0 with 270k on the clock, original owner. Its been an amazing truck. It starts up everytime, the only work i've EVER done to it has been a few clutches and a starter. That being said.... Itll run forever but don't expect much power.

[Chance B]

I've got the 3.0 in my 99 and I love it... horrible little roach that won't die (and trust me I thrash mine) and has very lil power. The 4.0 is more powerful but iirc some years are prone to cracking heads.

But if you're concerned about money... swap a carb'd 302 into it. For some reaon I'm thinking it would be cheaper...

[Totalled]

Well, the 3.0 has no torque, and the 4.0 makes good torque for a little v6.

[swamperford]

The 3.0L is not torquey by any means. Yet it seems to like high RPMs.

I believe if my 3.0L blew up that I would swamp in a 4.0L for the ease of it cause mine is a 98. But in your truck it might be easier to swap in a 5.0L

[demonranger]

if I was swapping one in for a wheeler I would go with the 4.0 for low end torque.

Check emissions/inspections regulations for NY to see about the legality of a 5.0 swap if your truck will see the road.

Oh and you need a double sump (car) oil pan to put a 302 in a ranger not the truck pan that whitetrash indicated. Easy donor vehicles are cars since you will get the intake & oil pans that will work with the hood space of the ranger. and motor mounts are just convertible mustang mounts used on the "wrong" side of the motor.

[Whitetrash303]

Good info there Demon. That's why you listen to someone who has actually done it! I had compared my Explorer's pan to the one that was in my old short bed. Come to think of it, I yanked that motor out of a fox body.

[DieselHilux]

So you think I should just go with the 302??

I hate carbs and if I were to go with the 302 it would be EFI but I would prefer OBDI for its simplicity and my truck is OBDI anyways.


What manual trans should I use behind a 302???

BTW the truck is 2WD so no transfer case involved.

I want a 5 speed manual if possible and if I had to mod the trans tunnel to make it fit that would be fine.

[HahnsB2]

The 4.0 makes great low end torque and is a great wheeler engine IMO.

[4x4junkie]

4.0l

[oppy]

So you think I should just go with the 302??

I hate carbs and if I were to go with the 302 it would be EFI but I would prefer OBDI for its simplicity and my truck is OBDI anyways.


What manual trans should I use behind a 302???

BTW the truck is 2WD so no transfer case involved.

I want a 5 speed manual if possible and if I had to mod the trans tunnel to make it fit that would be fine.

Up to you. The 4.0 swap is fairly easy, but the 5.0 isn't much worse.

Best choice for a 5 speed manual behind the 5.0 is a ZF5.

[jaginger]

What is the easiest way to tell the difference between the 3.0 and the 4.0 when viewing in the engine bay?