The current Ranger is a huge improvement over the last gen when it comes to that 

My city bought the Explorer's with the 3.0L and love it, well the mechanics loved it as well, said the engine was great, it was just "other things" were annoying.  Then they switched to Tahoe's because they are cheaper, cheaper to insure as well.

6.8 never made sense to me in a 3/4-1 ton, figured they were doing that to justify eventual use in F150 or mustang given the megazilla crate engine... but iunno. Simplifying the process and builds makes sense. HO and standard engines don't make sense to me either when it's just a tune and couple small parts, just put it on everything and up the price a little.

people don’t realize just how much it shares with Bronco. Everything from the firewall forward is shared with Bronco, save for some different bracketry on the crash rails and rad supports. 

The whole point of T6 Ranger was a truck designed for up to 125 international countries in RHD and LHD, some of that will lead to a less than ideal American product.   Its just horses for courses, and Everest joined at the hip complements that.

While. SD is not subject to CAFE, I think the 6.8 probably sent the wrong message to those buyers, noting that Ford now under scoring that the 7.3 is once again the base engine again. standardise production for 7.3 and build a heap more, could be very good for business    Such a pity that the 6.8 seems to be a waste of time, Ford got it right first time with the 7.3?   and so much for those internet rumours  of a new 7.0

The 3.0eb has almost exactly the same power as the coyote in truck form.   Departments have a lot of vehicles that aren't used for patrol so that's why it's offered.  If they're too cheap to get the hybrid or 3.0 that's on them.

End of CAFE enforcement probably has something to do with it.

I plead old age (and yes I did look)...

Or it was a temporary supplier issue.