Originally Posted by Eric Smith
Originally Posted by brages
An old thread, but I did end up getting my 2.3 extended-cab Ranger. And yes, it is very slow. The 3.0 Ranger I had was not quick, but it was always seemed like it had sufficient power. The 2.3 often leaves you wishing it had more power, and can require a downshift into 4th on a big hill. Plus it gets a bit buzzy at high RPMs.
However, I find the level of power is adequate for all of my driving tasks. Merging requires a little more revs and noise than ideal, but it merges. And it can hold highway speeds on most terrain just fine. I don't live in the mountains.
It's a good bit faster than the NA Jetta Diesel (52hp when new) that I once owned. And I suppose it's faster on the top end than the ~80hp B2200 Mazda pickup I had as a kid, probably a bit slower off the line, though.
What year as your 2.3L and is it a auto? Had the 2.3L in a 06 Ranger with the manual and it would move. No problems at high rpms.
It's a 1996, manual.
The 2006 Ranger would be the Duratec 2.3, a Mazda-based DOHC engine with variable valve timing and 143hp. Mine is a Lima ("Pinto") engine with ~112hp when it was new 260k miles ago...
