Everything You Need to Know About Ford Ranger Engines

When it comes to midsize pickup trucks, you may have heard of the Ford Ranger, the iconic Ford F-150’s little brother. Unlike the F-150, though, it hasn’t had a consistent power plant setup over its lifespan where you could simply point to a specific, well-known engine and say, “That’s a Ford Ranger engine!” A lot of the time, the powertrains varied throughout the production run, which may throw some people off when they ask, “are there good deals on a Ford Ranger for sale near me?” Now, why would this be the case? Because each generation of the Ranger had a vastly different powertrain setup from the previous generation, and it’s something to keep in mind while truck shopping.

We’ll go through the engine history of the Ford Ranger and which engines came with which generation, so if you opt to buy new or used, you’ll know what you’re getting into. There are some shoppers out there who might prefer an older model, and there are some things you should keep in mind when it comes to what to expect under the hood. This will obviously change how you view maintenance, part replacements, and upkeep if you decide to get a used Ranger over a new one.

First Generation Ford Ranger Engines (1983 – 1992)

The first generation of the Ford Ranger was powered by the Ford Pinto 2.0-liter and 2.3-liter inline four-cylinder engines as the entry-level options and a Ford Cologne 2.8-liter V6 as the more powerful option. There was also a naturally aspirated 2.2-liter inline four-cylinder diesel and a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder diesel available during the first generation of the Ranger’s run on the market. Before the end of the first generation, Ford introduced larger 3.0-liter V6 and 4.0-liter V6 engines to the lineup.

The four-cylinder engines started at 73 hp and topped out at 100 hp. The 2.8-liter V6 offering started at 115 hp, while the 4.0-liter V6 managed 160 hp. The 2.2-liter naturally aspirated diesel engine only managed 59 hp, while the turbocharged diesel that arrived a few years later was able to pump out 86 hp. Ford ended the Ranger’s first generation run in 1992. Obviously, unless you’re scouting private sales, you probably won’t find many first-generation Ford Rangers available for sale near you.

Second Generation Ford Ranger Engines (1993 – 1997)

The second generation Ford Ranger narrowed down the powertrain selection and offered just three engines over the course of its run from 1993 through 1997. This certainly made it easier to pick out which version of the truck shoppers wanted and how much power they expected from the fully redesigned compact pickup. The trimmed-down engine lineup included the introduction of more powerful V6 variants for those who wanted extra horsepower and torque for their midsize truck.

The engine options included the return of a 2.3-liter inline four-cylinder that outputs up to 112 hp and 135 lb-ft of torque. Further up the chain was the 3.0-liter Vulcan V6 that––during the later half of the second generation––managed a top-end of 145 hp and 165 lb-ft of torque. Finally, there was the optional 4.0-liter Cologne V6 that output 160 hp and 225 lb-ft of torque. You might still find some used second-generation Ford Rangers every now and then, but these trucks are still considered ancient. However, the Cologne V6 had some good power potential for a midsize pickup.

Third Generation Ford Ranger Engines (1998 – 2011)

The third-generation Ford Ranger had a long run before being retired in 2011. The third generation Ford Ranger was outfitted with five different powertrains during its time on the market. It’s also not uncommon to find a used Ford Ranger for sale near you from the third generation, given that it’s the most recent generation before the current fourth generation. The power plants available for the third generation Ranger ranged from the Pinto inline four-cylinder carried over from the second generation all the way up to a beefy Cologne V6 with some impressive power gains for the Ranger.

The Pinto was buffed up to a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, increasing its output over the 2.3-liter in the second generation. Ford increased the numbers again a couple of years later to reach 119 hp and 146 lb-ft of torque. A more powerful 2.3-liter Duratec four-cylinder was also introduced that was smaller than the Pinto. But instead of using a single overhead camshaft, it used a dual overhead camshaft for better efficiency and more power output. The Duratec managed a top-end performance rating of 143 hp and 154 lb-ft of torque.

On the upper end of the engine options, the Vulcan V6 also returned with some tweaks. The model year of the Ranger determines what kind of power you can expect from the Vulcan, which finished its run in the Ranger with 148 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque. The Cologne V6 also returned for the third generation, topping out at 207 hp and 238 lb-ft of torque. Given that the third-generation Ranger isn’t that old, relatively speaking, you can still find a lot of them for sale.

If you’re thinking, “what’s a good third-generation Ford Ranger engine choice for me?” The Cologne V6 is probably the one worth aiming for if you’re looking for an older used Ford Ranger. It will give you the necessary performance for the truck’s size, and you’ll be able to tow and make good use of the Ranger’s bed and payload capacity. Obviously, you’re going to be giving up a lot in terms of performance and utility compared to the fourth-generation Ranger, but the third-generation trucks are still worth considering.

Fourth Generation Ford Ranger Engines (2019-2022)

The Ford Ranger was brought back for its fourth generation as a 2019 model after a nearly decade-long hiatus. The return of the Ford Ranger as an affordable, midsize pickup places it between the Ford Maverick and Ford F-150 in Ford’s lineup. It’s not as bare bones and modular as the Maverick but not quite as beefy as the full-size F-150. The Ranger is a middle-of-the-road midsize pickup packed with a more-than-capable powertrain and a lot of great practical functionality.

Interestingly enough, instead of fitting a wide variety of different engines into the Ranger’s trim lineup for the fourth generation, Ford opted to pack one very powerful, all-around performance-ready power plant into the fourth generation Ranger. That’s right, instead of four or five different engines to choose from like in previous generations, the Ranger now has one do-it-all engine in the form of a very capable turbocharged 2.3-liter EcoBoost inline four-cylinder.

The EcoBoost four-cylinder manages 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and can manage a max tow rating of 7,500 lbs with a payload capacity of 1,905 lbs. The performance capabilities of the EcoBoost nearly put the Ranger on par with its full-size counterparts, making it one of the more capable trucks in its segment. If you’re seriously thinking, “I want the best Ford Ranger for sale near me,” you need to consider a fourth-generation Ranger with the EcoBoost engine.

It can’t be overstated just how much more efficient the Ranger has become since returning to the market. Sure, you can opt for an older Ranger with a decent V6, but they still don’t quite compare to the gains you get with the newer EcoBoost models. It’s a world of difference in terms of what the Ranger is capable of and how much you can get out of the truck. You can also clearly see the gap in technology from older generations to newer generations when it comes to fuel economy, towing capabilities, and payload capacity. So if you want the best that the Ranger has to offer, the fourth generation is the way to go.