Need Help with decision- is 2.3L durable engine?

[JT58Bronc]

I need help making a decision- mainly hinging on the durability of the 2.3L engine used in the Bronco and Ranger. I own a Bronco with 2.7 but thinking of buying a Ranger with the 2.3. We need a truck to go with the Bronco and the issue is I already just bought a 2023 Chevy Colorado- mistakenly with the light duty L2R 2.7 engine. The 3LB 2.7 is the much more durable engine with better forged internals. I initially thought the difference between the two was only a tune. I bought the Colorado at my local Ford dealer. They will take the Colorado back and give me the full purchase price towards a new 2024 Ranger within 14 days of the purchase. But the Ranger is 5K more expensive than the used Colorado- a lot of extra cash to come up with in my very tight budget. If I trade the Colorado for a new Colorado with a 3LB engine it will cost me over 10K- I priced one out yesterday. Huge hit on the 2023 I just bought. So it’s either keep the Colorado with the weak engine or get a new Ranger and come up with 5K.

How is the 2.3L- is it a durable engine that will last hopefully past 100K miles? The Colorado LR2 engine will last only up to 100K and need new timing chains and other parts.

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[Fordified1]

Yes.

 

[Boostedblues]

2.3l are great! my bronco is a 2.7 but I have a Focus RS, and believe it or not the 2.3 in it is closely related to the rangers. Mines got 70k miles so far so good. I beat on it a lot too.

 

[ChrisB351]

My bronco is just over 2yrs old with 32k miles and its been a great little motor. Other than the fact its a 4cyl and they naturally have some vibrations I love it.

 

[JT58Bronc]

How's the gas mileage? The Bronco I know is more of a brick in the wind, the Ranger a little more aerodynamic. And I would get a base 2WD Ranger. Is it efficient if you keep your foot out of it? I drive very light footed- I get 22.7 with my Bronco with the 2.7. I get 33 with the Colorado with the weak version 2.7.

 

[FourHorses]

My wife had an Explorer with the 2.3 and I now have the Bronco with the 2.3. I've been very pleased with them. From my experiences, less troublesome than the 2.7, 3.0 and 3.5L Fords.

 

[Tdub0527]

I love my 2.3 auto and was hesitant to pick it up version the 2.7. I've never looked back. I have Sasquatch and get between 17-19 depending on city versus highway. Average is about 17.8 right now but I drive mostly city.

 

[mjp2]

That 2.3 has been in the Mustang since 2015 and does a great job moving the Bronco. It's a solid engine.

Paired with the manual transmission it's a blast to drive. Granted, I have the 4.7 differential gears but I don't see it having any issues with taller gears, which I'm sure would improve fuel economy over the 18mpg I typically get. With the point-and-shoot automatic it'll just be smooth power. I often forget it's only 4 cylinders under the hood.

 

[Brian_B]

I'm not a mechanical engineer, and I'm not sure the guys writing this article are either, but for what it's worth:

https://www.slashgear.com/1358832/every-ford-ecoboost-engine-ranked/

Also this, which runs 2 2.3's side by side up to 500k (simulated) miles to illustrate the difference between synthetic and conventional oil (note - conventional oil isn't approved for these engines, but they did it anyway). They tell what broke along the way and do a full teardown of both

 

[dgorsett]

I'm not a mechanical engineer, and I'm not sure the guys writing this article are either, but for what it's worth:

https://www.slashgear.com/1358832/every-ford-ecoboost-engine-ranked/

Also this, which runs 2 2.3's side by side up to 500k (simulated) miles to illustrate the difference between synthetic and conventional oil (note - conventional oil isn't approved for these engines, but they did it anyway). They tell what broke along the way and do a full teardown of both

OP watch the video!!

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