1994 Ranger 4x4 4.0 to ? swap.

[desertdog71]

I think I'm going to take the plunge to an extent anyways. Situation is I bought a 94 4x4 Ranger Supercab sight unseen. It had tons of receipts for recent work done on it. Including the heads, head gaskets, most of the cooling system, new AC components. So I took a chance that it would be in good working order. I was wrong, and given the tendency for the 4.0 to have it's issues with head gaskets, running rich, fried ECM's, main seal leaks and such. If I'm going to tear into this thing, I don't want to just rebuild the 4.0.

I'd prefer to do a V8 with carb and not have all the modern wiring and a manual trans. So I'm open to good suggestions along those lines. Point me to the right articles, posts or whatever. I have done some digging on here but haven't located anything definite. If I could keep the AC that would be a bonus but not needed. I'm not poor but not looking to drop a ton either, don't care about resale, don't need the vehicle at all, it's just a hobby/money pit really. Will likely be a backup to a backup vehicle and used to haul crap to the dump, pick up garden soil at the nursery, crap like that, but I'd like it to be semi cool and fun. Not looking to run the Baja, rock crawl or run 11's.

Thanks

 

[franklin2]

Did you read everything in here?

The Ranger Station - Engine & Fuel Systems Library

www.therangerstation.com

 

[desertdog71]

Did you read everything in here?

The Ranger Station - Engine & Fuel Systems Library

www.therangerstation.com

Not everything but being a 4x4 seems to be a problem that I don't want to deal with and not worth the expense for a few more HP. I think I will try to address the running rich issue and the running hot issue with what I have. If need be I'll rebuild the 4.0 and call it good. If it was 2WD I'd be more likely to do a swap. That's the big gotcha it seems.

 

[JoshT]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Whether you want to go EFI or CARB, if you want to go 302/5.0L start with an Explorer V8. Even if you're ditching the transmission and EFI, the FEAD of the Explorer 5.0 is the tightest of any factory SBF. It also happens to have the best cylinder heads that Ford put on a production engine.

The Explorer engine does allegedly have a few negatives.

1) The pistons are hypereutetic instead of forged like the Mustang, that means they won;t handle power adders as well. If you aren't adding boost or spraying that shouldn't be an issue.
2) Most performance oriented guys will say that the Explorer camshaft is a poor choice, but many people will also say that it is an excellent truck cam. If you've got the engine out and swapping to a carb anyway, it isn't that much more work to change camshaft and drop in a new timing chain set.
3) Valve springs. By most accounts they were barely adequate for the stock camshaft. If you replace the camshaft you'll definitely want to upgrade them. Be a good opportunity to install fresh valve stem seals anyway.


Never done or studied a swap in an older 4x4 truck. I did study doing one for an older 2wd, but never happened. It isn't really a bigger problem to do, just takes more parts. It's almost the same work except that you'll need the transfer case parts and a front driveshaft.

I wouldn't call it a few more power either. Sure the Explorer only put out around 60 more HP and TQ than the 4.0L in stock form, but that stock form was also choked on the exhaust side. Allegedly just installing a set of headers will give a good bump due to how restrictive the Explorer exhaust was, Torque Monsters Headers claimed a 20hp increase at the wheel with no tuning. Add a cam to that and tune for the changes, it'll probably be knocking on 300 hp and more torque too.

Having said all that, I also can't argue against getting the 4.0L fixed and working right.

 

[desertdog71]

This isn't really a project I aspire to do or really want to be honest. I want a beater truck to have around that works properly when I or a family member wants to use it. I don't have the patience or skill to deal with 30 year old early EFI nonsense either. More modern vehicles don't age well because of all the wiring and sensors.

That being said I think I tracked the running rich problem to the ECM which has a capacitor weeping out on the board. Apparently these control the AFR? So I pulled it, the label is half missing and I can't get a part number off it. It also has a REMFG tag on it, so I'm guessing it has been replaced before. Not sure exactly which one to order to replace it, 4.0 with automatic. I think it's the last 3 letters in the part number I need to narrow down. Any ideas?

 

[JoshT]

Can you post clear pictures of the labels/tags that you do see on it? Maybe someone can make out what you can't, or see other information that will lead you to the right one. I don't know if it will help, I've never ECU shopped, but I doubt it would hurt.

To be clear, you don't have to go EFI to use the Explorer 5.0L. At it's base it is still a Ford 302. Install a carbureted intake manifold, a carburetor, and a distributor and it's like and other 302 with a carburetor and HO firing order.

 

[desertdog71]

Can you post clear pictures of the labels/tags that you do see on it? Maybe someone can make out what you can't, or see other information that will lead you to the right one. I don't know if it will help, I've never ECU shopped, but I doubt it would hurt.

To be clear, you don't have to go EFI to use the Explorer 5.0L. At it's base it is still a Ford 302. Install a carbureted intake manifold, a carburetor, and a distributor and it's like and other 302 with a carburetor and HO firing order.

I just took a stab at it and ordered one from Rock Auto for a 4.0 with automatic trans. None of the chains had them available any faster and they wanted considerably more money for them.

I'll revisit the 5.0 question if this doesn't solve some of the problems with the current engine. The cost involved with adapting a new trans to a 4x4 is giving me pause. Plus I know if I start tearing into this thing further, I'm going to find more things to repair and replace and it's quickly going to be a money pit for something that does not excite me at all. There are other vehicles out there that I would rather be my toy. Truth is that I bought this on impulse without inspecting it from photos off an auction site locally, the Ranger reputation and the receipts shown for $3000 worth of work done to this thing in the last couple years kind of suckered me in.

I did reawaken something in me that wants to tinker with old cars again though. I have the time and income to do it now, so there may be something else on the horizon. I do not however want to spend that time in the spaghetti jungle of wire looms and sensors of vehicles made since the mid 80's to now. Yes, it's more efficient, more power, more whatever but wiring and electronics does not age well at all. The Malaise era may be the last hope for budget projects that are somewhat simple, and I do love those old Dentside Fords.

 

[desertdog71]

Good news, I'm back from being out of town and the new ECM seems to have solved the rich running and getting hot problems. Installed the new ECM, started and let it run and get up to temperature. Took it for a test drive with the AC running, it's a hot day here today 90 degrees. The temp never creeped up above the O in normal, the exhaust was not offensive smelling like before. The rear antilock light and brake light have also went away. I'll call it a win for now, until I drive it some more and everything returns.

Moving on to some steering issues. It's toads wild ride right now, a lot of play in the steering. Receipts show the steering gear had been replaced recently so I'll see what I can find. That and repaint the hood and it might end up being a nice little beater to have around.

 

[bobbywalter]

good. hopefully it stays good for a bit.





when it goes down....maybe take a look at these...

EZ Bundle Kits - Air Intake & Fuel Delivery - LS Carburetor Conversion Kits - SK Speed Racing Equipment

www.skspeed.com

 

[desertdog71]

good. hopefully it stays good for a bit.





when it goes down....maybe take a look at these...

EZ Bundle Kits - Air Intake & Fuel Delivery - LS Carburetor Conversion Kits - SK Speed Racing Equipment

www.skspeed.com

Yeah this is exactly what I need. I can think of other vehicles I'd rather LS swap than this thing though.

 

[bobbywalter]

they are cheap. but the gen 3 coyote i have a feeling will be the new LS here in the next 5 years or so..


your starting with more then 100 hp over the windsor doing it this way for the same dollar.

 

[desertdog71]

they are cheap. but the gen 3 coyote i have a feeling will be the new LS here in the next 5 years or so..


your starting with more then 100 hp over the windsor doing it this way for the same dollar.

I had a 2019 F-150 with the Coyote, it was pretty strong. I have a 2022 now and it has the small turbo 6 and it's just as strong to be honest. The 10 speed transmission came a long way in those few years though. Not sure if it was software or what but the 2019 never felt right, even with reflashes. Plus the market was so stupid in 2022 I got more than I paid for it in 2019 and bought the 2022 without any markup, so I made out pretty good on the deal.

Looks like I need to replace the lower steering shaft on this thing, is the whole assembly just unobtanium now? Seems like you could use damn near any ford lower steering shaft and it would work. I don't think they had that many different ones. Online searches didn't give me anything except that they are discontinued. I think PN F69Z-3B676-FA would do the job though? Not 100% sure.

 

[bobbywalter]

i tend to cut up and fit jeep shafts

Amazon.com

 

[desertdog71]

i tend to cut up and fit jeep shafts

Amazon.com

That might be the right idea. This one is ridiculous looking, I'll yank it out later and see what it up with it. Looks like 2 rag joints and a U joint? I didn't look that closely. It seems over complicated though.

 

[bobbywalter]

waaaay back in the day....with gen 1 trucks i would just use the aerostar shafts.


good luck finding one of those critters in the junkyard. as to the rangers and explorers.... there are a few different shafts starting with the plastic headlight trucks. i would have to see what you have.

the 94 grand cherokee style is workable. you have to cut em up sometimes. just depends on what you actually have. i dont like rag joints...prefer u joints.