2.7 XLT Sport or 2.3 XLT FX4 trying to decide

[burbansk]

The wet belt for the oil pump is an absolute no from me.

Rich, I understand your concern about the oil pump belt. My friends who still work at Ford are not seeing any issue with the belt in testing so far. I guess only time will tell. I just feel that if I am driving a real truck ( frame ) I want a V6 or a V8.

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[RichD]

Rich, I understand your concern about the oil pump belt. My friends who still work at Ford are not seeing any issue with the belt in testing so far. I guess only time will tell. I just feel that if I am driving a real truck ( frame ) I want a V6 or a V8.

I get that. I just hate any internal belt drives, including cams. I do hope they are super reliable.
My son has a focus RS and that little beast puts out 350hp. If I need more oomph, Ford already has a 320hp tune for the 2.3 ranger. Cheers!

 

[DanTheMan]

I'm new here, thanks for letting me join. I'm going to pull the trigger on a 24 Ranger today. My options are a 2.3 XLT Fx4 or 2.7 XLT Sport. I won't be towing with it or off roading. Just the usual truck stuff. I'm deciding on one of those two because they are giving me the best deal on my 2023 Lightning Lariet trade in. Do I really want the 2.7 or is the 2.3 good enough? Any recommendations or advice on which truck? Thanks in advance.

I was worried about the 2.3l as the 2.7 was not available when I ordered. Then I drove it. It has never left me wanting more zip. More power is always enticing. That being said, if you compare the acceleration performance between the two, it's negligible. You use more fuel and you lose some payload. You also put more stress(from the turbos) on a marginally larger engine. I'm sure you'll be happy either way. (If it isn't a lemon like mine )

 

[Jason B]

The wet belt for the oil pump is an absolute no from me.

If you are worried about the 'what ifs', then worry about 2.3L's water in plug well #4, which is a common issue in the Ranger.

 

[RichD]

Will do!

 

[RichD]

If you are worried about the 'what ifs', then worry about 2.3L's water in plug well #4, which is a common issue in the Ranger.

Man , you had me there for a second! My Ranger is a 6G….

 

[gapiel]

There is no bad choice here, I was very happy with the 2.3 in my 19 and the 2.7 in my 24 is a great engine as well. Sport mode in the 2.7 turns the truck into an absolute rocketship getting onto the interstate 🛻

 

[Jason B]

Man , you had me there for a second! My Ranger is a 6G….

Ah, but will that cover over the HPFP and #4 coil prevent water from getting into the well?
Or did Ford fix the real issue for the intrusion? 5G has a 2-piece cowl that allows water to leak were to two pieces meet.

 

[Davko]

Your options are a 2.3 XLT Fx4 or 2.7 XLT Sport. I’d worry less about which engine to get and more about the options on each vehicle. The Fx4 will have locking rear differential for example. You really can’t go wrong with either engine, what are the options you want and which truck has them?

 

[MJB4450]

Did they ever fix the cam phaser issue with the 2.7?

 

[MJB4450]

The wet belt is not as much a problem as people think. They are not a high-failure item. I asked the service manager at my local dealership about it and he said he has never had a failed one come through his shop.

I do believe that the wet belt is not an issue. But the last person I would expect an honest answer from would be a dealership manager. I've never heard one admit to any part with a high failure rate. I've even heard them parrot the same "never seen one with that problem" phrase even on well known high failure rate parts as their techs are working on them.

 

[PhoenixRanger]

Yes. Agreed. I was not basing my entire opinion on his failure to recall any wet belt issues. I’ve been known to frequent the YouTube and have seen many high-mileage engines with the belt completely intact. Once I realized that the material is unlike any of the dry v-belts/serpentine belts, I am a lot more optimistic of its reliability. And my 2.7 is one of the 2021 potential “bad-valve” engines, so I have 10 years or 150K miles to see how it does.

 

[Highspeedplay]

I have the 2.3L and seems to be just fine for daily use the 10spd really helps with it being peppy.
getting 21 in the city.

 

[RB205]

If you're going to off road a lot and want a base to build to modify, the 4x4 Sport could be the ticket. FX4 is just upgraded shocks that aren't even Fox or Bilstein and skid plates that won't be as sturdy as aftermarket. The off road drive modes can be flashed with Forscan but the locker will be expensive to add later.

Wet belts aren't a problem if you use synthetic rubber in the belt that can handle being submerged in oil. This isn't non standard, belts like this are common in a lot of manufacturing.

 

[Truckin]

I went 2.7 as I had one in a regular cab 150 and without tune could smoke the rear tires rolling at 25mph. After a 5Star tune was an absolute beast.
do I need the power? No, but sure comes in handy when I do!

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