Anyone put a 4.o SOHC Explorer eng in an 88 Ranger?

Fordace · Apr 9, 2008

Hi Guys,

Thinking of doing this swap, a 1997 SOHC Explorer engine into my 85 Ranger.
I was wondering if this was a common swap for some people on this site.
It will be going into a 2 wheel drive 85 ranger with an original 2.3 liter and 5 speed.

Thanks for any and all answers........Rich

Will · Apr 9, 2008

I don't know of any. It's an awesome engine if the chains aren't rattling. If any 4.0 SOHC will have/had the chaim tensioner disintegration problem, that's the buggy.

It's very wide with those massive heads.

odie1969 · Apr 9, 2008

in the middle of the swap as we speak. I'm done with inside. and no switching the motor mounts now.

Fordace · Apr 10, 2008

It is a great engine, we had some trouble with them back in the late 90's with intake/plenum gaskets leaking vacuum and timing chain cassettes, but I have new cassettes in mine and it runs strong. I just was wondering how it fit under the hood and the motor mount alignment etc....

Odie1969, do you have any pictures you could share?
Or any tips about this swap?

Thank you, Rich

odie1969 · Apr 10, 2008

Well the 4.o I'm using is out of a 04. I have pics but I haven't loaded them yet. I was waiting to place the motor. but the first thing I did was take all the wiring from front to back out, dash, A/c blower box, steering colum, gas tank and rear axle. I then started by instaling the A/c box first to get dash and all the wiring done. then I had to find the ECU box that goes in the fire wall. after that I placed the new brake pedal and master cylinder. (old one had to go for clearance of the dash and the old one was shit.) now I'm working and placing the the newer motor mounts now so I can sit the motor in to find the placement for the gas tank and the t-case.

suggestions would be Don't be afraid to cut big ass holes that why god gave us sheet metal.

But the other thing is that it not hard just time consuming alot of test and fit.
I post pics as soon as I get a photobucket or car domain acount. I have plenty of pics.

Bent Bolt · Apr 10, 2008

The 03 and newer have much improved cassettes. I have contemplated the SOHC swap myself but keep going back to the 5.0l swap as much easier. But I think the SOHC engine with a doubler would be killer.

Mind you , I haven't even had time to start the D35 swap.

.

odie1969 · Apr 11, 2008

I was going to do a v8 swap. but with having to go through emisions it was just easier this way. so now my 87 will have ob2 in my truck.

Anyone put a 4.o SOHC Explorer eng in an 88 Ranger?

Fordace

10+ Year Member

Will

Forum Staff Member

odie1969

15+ Year Member

Fordace

10+ Year Member

odie1969

15+ Year Member

Bent Bolt

15+ Year Member

odie1969

15+ Year Member

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