thinking of buying one just for a second car. how are these little 4 bangers? i was thinking about a 4x4 but hell i really dont need that. how are these 2.3s? i like the manual instead of auto on these little trucks. my 88 mazda has a 5-speed 4 banger and is fun to drive. thanks.

I have a 2002 and it's a good little truck. The 2.3 standard cab comes with a relatively high (numerically low) rear gear for a four banger, a 3.73. This means that you have to wind it out a bit if you want it to go. The positive tradeoff is it will go any speed you want down the highway and have no troubles. Also, when you do wind it out it will get right with it. Because of the high rear end, you do have to drop out of fifth on hills, but outside of that, no worries.

You can now get the four in the extended cab with a 4.10 also. I love my truck. Gets great fuel mileage, and is pretty trouble free.

One thing. If you drive the four and don't like it, go for the 4.0L as the 3.0L six isn't any more motor than the four.

agreed with above...the 3.0 gets the mileage of the 4.0 with the power of the 2.3...not exactly, but basically...but i've got an older 2.3, and its just fine for hauling me around...

I bought one over a month ago, just hit 1k miles. It's not really powerful, but yet, I dont whale on it. It'll go if you press the pedal, but by no means does it haul ass naturally. Otherwise, solid truck. Not too fond of the tranny, but the overall build quality is impressive. Gas mileage is pretty decent. Just depends on what you'll be using this second vehicle for. I'd recommend 4.10s unless you're planning on using it on the hwy.

I have an 06 and I love it! Peppy little truck for a 5 speed auto. I have no problems hauling somewhat heavy stuff and just getting on it on the highway.

Id certainly test drive a few different ones before buying. There seems to some quality control issues with the 5 speeds and the way they shift. Two were just terrible, one was fair. Dont buy into the "it will shift better in time crap", in time its yours not theres. The ones I drove were so bad that I ended up buying a used 6000 mile 05 with a 5 speed automatic in it. I was limited to only 3 that I could find out here to drive. Maybe its not that big a problem in the bigger areas

I have a 06 XL 2.3/5 speed also. I concur on pretty much all that has been mentioned. But with my 5 speed for the first 9k it was somewhat stiff... now it fairly loose and easy to shift. Can out the tranny fluid early though at 5k mine was nasty. And get the extended cab if you can. The regular is tight if you have alot of junk.

Yeah, quality control on the trannys sucks or maybe it's lack there of. I'll be taking mine back due to stalling issues. It likes to bog to 400 RPM when stopping, and if I happen to use the steering wheeel or turn on the air at that time, it dies. Idle air valve is not opening fast enough. Keeps happening more frequently.

Let us know what you come up with on that idle problem. I would be interested.

Sounds like a common issue. I'll probably be taking it in on the 27th after the holidays. I'm sure they'll say it's "normal", but I'll keep y'all posted.

Funny I sent him a pm on the same thing. I guess this is common among a few of us 2.3 owners?

The 2.3 standard cab comes with a relatively high (numerically low) rear gear for a four banger, a 3.73. This means that you have to wind it out a bit if you want it to go. The positive tradeoff is it will go any speed you want down the highway and have no troubles. Also, when you do wind it out it will get right with it. Because of the high rear end, you do have to drop out of fifth on hills, but outside of that, no worries.

You can now get the four in the extended cab with a 4.10 also. I love my truck. Gets great fuel mileage, and is pretty trouble free.

3.73 isn't high for a higher revving engine like the duratec 2.3l, that's the lowest numerically gearset you can get - most will come with 4.10's out back. I've ordered 3.73's and am happy - only the steepest of hills requires me to downshift out of 5th on the highway. I'd have to agree on the fuel milage - I love mine! :D No tranny (or any other) issues here, 2.5 years since I picked it up.

Sounds like a common issue. I'll probably be taking it in on the 27th after the holidays. I'm sure they'll say it's "normal", but I'll keep y'all posted.
Mine ran fine. I changed the alternator and I thought it was ok...but now it is doing exactly what you are saying..dropping down to 400RPM and not wanting to come back up. It's not stalling though. I am going to see what it's like in a few days.

A friend of mine at work has an '06 XL regular cab short bed 4x2 with the 2.3/5-speed manual and I have driven it a couple times. It is suprisingly peppy compared to the memories of the '94 2.3 I owned 10 years ago. It doesn't do too bad with the A/C on either.

the 3.0L six isn't any more motor than the four.
I run circles around my friends 2.3, low end, mid range and up top. The difference is like night and day. A guy I work with, the guy I bought my truck from actually, has an 05 4.0 sohc and he isnt much faster than me at all, and I get way better mileage than he does. The 2.3 is a good engine though, espically when turboed. Im just talking stock for stock here.

not to insult you, but your friend probably cant drive...

and what year is this 2.3 ranger, because the duratech's have much more power than the older DIS and EDIS (93-97) rangers.

austin

Mine ran fine. I changed the alternator and I thought it was ok...but now it is doing exactly what you are saying..dropping down to 400RPM and not wanting to come back up. It's not stalling though. I am going to see what it's like in a few days.

Yeah, mine wont stall unless I just happen to use the steering or turn on the air when it decides to bog, which is about every 5th stoplight. If I go out of town Wednesday night, I am going to pull the batt cable and reset the computer during work to see what happens. 400 miles of mountains should reprogram it. Not to jack this thread, but what RPMs do your guys' usually idle at? Think mine's usually 825, which I find outrageously high. My 02 Pontiac 2.2L was only 450, and our Hyundai is about 675. Wastes a lot more gas when I have to sit at this one light for 10 mins every day.

I'd definitely take it to the dealer if it's stalling, especially that often. Something isn't right and needs to be fixed.

Yeah, mine wont stall unless I just happen to use the steering or turn on the air when it decides to bog, which is about every 5th stoplight. If I go out of town Wednesday night, I am going to pull the batt cable and reset the computer during work to see what happens. 400 miles of mountains should reprogram it. Not to jack this thread, but what RPMs do your guys' usually idle at? Think mine's usually 825, which I find outrageously high. My 02 Pontiac 2.2L was only 450, and our Hyundai is about 675. Wastes a lot more gas when I have to sit at this one light for 10 mins every day.
I pulled the battery cable and reset everything and it is running fine except for the A/C cycling at idle, why I don't know. What also helped out was taking the IAC Solinoid/valve and spraying it out with some throttle body cleaner.

Well, I really can't say much for the 2.3 as I don't know... However, I do know people usually learn from the past so with that in mind. My 2.5L is easy to drive and pretty good on gas... given it should be much better. I'm still willing to give up a few MPG for a few ponies. With that said, when I take off from a light... I start to notice if I'm the first in line on a 2 lane street at a light I end up passing the person on the right. With very little throttle pushing. When I say that I mean I push it down about 1/2 inch or so and away I go. I love the low end torque these things have. It's not often you find a 4 banger with torque period. As for the 2.3L well it offers much better HP and torque numbers as well as MPG numbers.... what's more to wish for? Just remember, they're not race trucks so they won't be the fastest thing on 4 wheels. :P

not to insult you, but your friend probably cant drive...

and what year is this 2.3 ranger, because the duratech's have much more power than the older DIS and EDIS (93-97) rangers.

austin

His ranger is an 01, and its an automatic. Not sure what gear ratio he has, but I have a manual with 4.10s. Kind of hard not to be able to drive an auto. Hell, I give him a huge head start and still catch up and pull away like its nothing. I think most of it just has to do with me having a manual, and the 4.10s. Im sure if I was an auto, with his gear ratio Id be much slower.

agreed with above...the 3.0 gets the mileage of the 4.0 with the power of the 2.3...

:confused The 3.0 has the 2.3 beat by only about 6 HP but it has a sizeable advantage in torque. There is no way on earth a 2.3 can keep up with a 3.0, and I've owned both.
The 3.0 is a pig as far as fuel economy goes.

I love my '05 XL. It's an Auto and it gets pretty good gas mileage while still having pretty good pep.

:confused The 3.0 has the 2.3 beat by only about 6 HP but it has a sizeable advantage in torque. There is no way on earth a 2.3 can keep up with a 3.0, and I've owned both.
The 3.0 is a pig as far as fuel economy goes.

IMO they should just remove the 3.0 all together... It's not very cost effective.

His ranger is an 01, and its an automatic. Not sure what gear ratio he has, but I have a manual with 4.10s. Kind of hard not to be able to drive an auto. Hell, I give him a huge head start and still catch up and pull away like its nothing. I think most of it just has to do with me having a manual, and the 4.10s. Im sure if I was an auto, with his gear ratio Id be much slower.

Keep in mind Standards have better response than a automatic tranny does. I don't know how many times I've passed up automatic rangers in my standard. Every once in a while I'll hot rod it up to the speed limit.

I've got a 2.5 5spd. and im happy with it, I dont ever think its slow........I think it has plenty of power for a daily driver.

I have an 02 2.3L 5spd. If I was to get another Ranger I would get the same thing, but with a Supercab.

His ranger is an 01, and its an automatic. Not sure what gear ratio he has, but I have a manual with 4.10s. Kind of hard not to be able to drive an auto. Hell, I give him a huge head start and still catch up and pull away like its nothing. I think most of it just has to do with me having a manual, and the 4.10s. Im sure if I was an auto, with his gear ratio Id be much slower.

so what you said doesnt really make sence. you said yours is faster, but they you say that if they had the same setup, one with the 2.3 and one with the 3.0 his would be faster? that would make me think that a 3.0 is a waste of money.

for the record, ive 'test' driven the 2.3/3.0/4.0 last year, and my friend drove my ranger. we... played a bit, and my ranger only lost to the 4.0. MY 1994 ranger 2.3 5spd paced the 2.3 duratech, and beat the 3.0 standard. the 4.0 was an auto, and aside from it being able to hook up better, it was way more power than my little 2.3, and it pretty much left me behind, but at 5500rpm, i burned half the gas, so w/e

austin

I have an '04 Duratec w/5speed auto. I get 27mpg with my mods. (I drive roughly 150 miles/day). I'm right at 50k miles (a little more actual due to my bigger tires). Can't say enough good things about it. The autos have 4.10 gears, the Supercab Duratecs are Manual only also with 4.10 gears. The Manual reg cab Duratecs have 3.73 gears.

I have no trouble keeping up with traffic even on the highway. These 5R44e trannys skip shift (2nd or 3rd??)under light throttle, but WOT it shifts through all five (and pretty damn quickly and crisply, almost as if there is a shift kit:steeringw )

On aside about the 3.0 vs Duratec thing. The Duratec is all aluminum and the Vulcan is all cast iron. I bet the Duratec weighs less than half as much as the Vulcan...

I've work at a Ford dealer for about 9 years and when I heard they were making a nice 4cylinder I was kinda worried. I was hoping it wouldn't be another head gasket eating, #3 piston melting dud. Boy was I susprized! Its a nice little motor that has enough power to get out of its own way. Ya its lacking the 4.0L power but you get great gas milage. Granted the 3.0L are slugs but I can't complain about the how strong they are, my 93 has 205K on it. If I can get that reliablity out of the 2.3L duratec I'll be a happy guy. I can say thow that my wife has a 03 focus with this motor and that thing moves. I jus wish there were more aftermarket goodies for the motor, header, intake..etc.

I run circles around my friends 2.3, low end, mid range and up top. The difference is like night and day. A guy I work with, the guy I bought my truck from actually, has an 05 4.0 sohc and he isnt much faster than me at all, and I get way better mileage than he does. The 2.3 is a good engine though, espically when turboed. Im just talking stock for stock here.

You get way better fuel mileage than a SOHC 4.0 with your 3.0? :lame:
The 4.0 isn't much faster than your 3.0? :lame:

:confused The 3.0 has the 2.3 beat by only about 6 HP but it has a sizeable advantage in torque. There is no way on earth a 2.3 can keep up with a 3.0, and I've owned both.
The 3.0 is a pig as far as fuel economy goes.

Get real. My 94 2.3L (LIMA) can waltz all over my bosses 99 3.0 Auto.

And i test drove a 06 2.3L (Duratec) and an 06 3.0, both 5 speeds, and the 2.3L screamed compared to the 3.0.

thinking of buying one just for a second car. how are these little 4 bangers? i was thinking about a 4x4 but hell i really dont need that. how are these 2.3s? i

I don't think you can get a 4 banger with 4 wheel drive.

I've work at a Ford dealer for about 9 years and when I heard they were making a nice 4cylinder I was kinda worried. I was hoping it wouldn't be another head gasket eating, #3 piston melting dud. Boy was I susprized! Its a nice little motor that has enough power to get out of its own way. Ya its lacking the 4.0L power but you get great gas milage. Granted the 3.0L are slugs but I can't complain about the how strong they are, my 93 has 205K on it. If I can get that reliablity out of the 2.3L duratec I'll be a happy guy. I can say thow that my wife has a 03 focus with this motor and that thing moves. I jus wish there were more aftermarket goodies for the motor, header, intake..etc.

Damn, our 93 Splash 3.0 went to 235k when we sold it. Had a little noise on the bottom end, but everything was original and unmolested. Had a bit of an overheating problem, but a 4.0L radiator fixed that. Is your Focus the ST? As far as I know, only the STs get the 2.3L. Our 2007 Focus SE has the smaller 2.0L Duratec. Basically the same power wise, but nonetheless, not the same.

My 2.5l 5spd. 0-60

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i232/Southernmudslinger/th_paint058.jpg (http://s73.photobucket.com/albums/i232/Southernmudslinger/?action=view&current=paint058.flv)

No its the 2.0 duratec also. I like the 2.0 better than the 2.3 because of the shorter connecting rod length so it holds up better to boost. Im getting my new ranger monday hopefully.

00RangerBullitt try to stay on topic - the older Lima engines have nothing to do with an '07 Ranger. If you want to post a video about your truck going 0-60, I'd suggest you just put the link in your signature or start your own thread instead.

For everyone else that may not understand, a SOHC 8-valve 2.3l/2.5l lima doesn't = DOHC 16-valve 2.3l duratec - they are completely different engines so please don't chime in comparing 4-cylinders before '00 when the duratec was put in the rangers mid-year replacing the 2.5l lima. It's apples and oranges, and so far the duratec is not an easy engine to turbo, unlike the limas were.

Indeed it is off topic, but I must say, these Duratecs would make that 0-60 look pitiful.