4.0 OHV Swap

[3ncrypt3d]

Currently have a 97 2wd 2.3 Ranger. Engine runs amazing but it’s lacking torque and power. I know if I do the swap I’m gonna need basically a while donor vehicle for the engine trans harness and ecu. I’m not worried about that, because there’s tons of these at my local junkyards. The few questions I have are will I need to pull the 4.0 crossmember or will the 2.3 one work, but with the 4.0 motor mounts? Will the tranny still use the stock mount, or would I need the 4.0 one? And lastly I’m assuming driveshaft lengths are different? I have a single cab shirt bed so I’m fairly confident in finding something that’ll work. Any thoughts or help would be appreciated!

 

[BeeCee]

What's up man, I think I can shed light on some of your questions. I had a '97 2.3L 2WD, and I now have a '96 4.0L 2WD, I've had the trans out of both of them, and am familiar with both platforms.

The front left/right motors mounts are different between the 2.3 and the 4.0. The trans mount however is the same between both the 2.3 & 4.0. As for the crossmember, I'm not 100% but from looking at them both I'm pretty sure they are the same.

As for the driveshaft, from what I remember I'm pretty confident they were different between the two engines.

 

[RonD]

Couple of things
Manual or automatic?

The 1995-1997 transmissions had speed sensor on the tail shaft, 1998-2000 did not
But you can swap tail shaft housings if you end up with 1998-2000 4.0l
Automatic has drive gear machined into output shaft, manual needs drive gear added, from 2.3l trans

There was also a fuel system change in 1998, Rangers went to a Returnless system, so only one fuel line was needed from filter to engine, return line was on the 3 port filter on 1998 and up Rangers, so not really "returnless", lol
You would need to change fuel pump assemblies and fuel filter, and cut and put a new connection on return hose, and possible a new connection on the engine end of fuel line
1995-1997 4.0l would have same fuel system you have now on the 2.3l

1994 and earlier used different computer, 60-wire EEC-IV, which I wouldn't recommend for a swap into a 1997, possible but best to go with 1995 and later EEC-V computers

You need to change exhaust of course, and new radiator, NOT used


It is not a simple swap, selling the 1997 2.3l Ranger and buying a 4.0l Ranger would be cheaper overall

Swapping in a V8 would be EXACTLY the same work, engine/trans, wiring/computer, so IMO a better swap because you can't buy a factory 5.0l Ranger

 

[3ncrypt3d]

What's up man, I think I can shed light on some of your questions. I had a '97 2.3L 2WD, and I now have a '96 4.0L 2WD, I've had the trans out of both of them, and am familiar with both platforms.

The front left/right motors mounts are different between the 2.3 and the 4.0. The trans mount however is the same between both the 2.3 & 4.0. As for the crossmember, I'm not 100% but from looking at them both I'm pretty sure they are the same.

As for the driveshaft, from what I remember I'm pretty confident they were different between the two engines.

Ok, that’s actually really useful. I was planning on swapping from a 97, because then I can still have OBD2 and it’s just an easier swap I think.

Couple of things
Manual or automatic?

The 1995-1997 transmissions had speed sensor on the tail shaft, 1998-2000 did not
But you can swap tail shaft housings if you end up with 1998-2000 4.0l
Automatic has drive gear machined into output shaft, manual needs drive gear added, from 2.3l trans

There was also a fuel system change in 1998, Rangers went to a Returnless system, so only one fuel line was needed from filter to engine, return line was on the 3 port filter on 1998 and up Rangers, so not really "returnless", lol
You would need to change fuel pump assemblies and fuel filter, and cut and put a new connection on return hose, and possible a new connection on the engine end of fuel line
1995-1997 4.0l would have same fuel system you have now on the 2.3l

1994 and earlier used different computer, 60-wire EEC-IV, which I wouldn't recommend for a swap into a 1997, possible but best to go with 1995 and later EEC-V computers

You need to change exhaust of course, and new radiator, NOT used


It is not a simple swap, selling the 1997 2.3l Ranger and buying a 4.0l Ranger would be cheaper overall

Swapping in a V8 would be EXACTLY the same work, engine/trans, wiring/computer, so IMO a better swap because you can't buy a factory 5.0l Ranger

I honestly would prefer a 5.0 swap, but as far as I know I’d need a custom trans crossmember and some other goodies to make it actually bolt up properly. That’s why I’d rather do a 4.0. Less power yeah, but parts are readily available. At least in my area. Put thought into selling it, but I haven’t been able to find a cleaner ranger with a 4.0 and a 5 speed. Junkyard has a few, so that’s why I was wanting to swap.

 

[3ncrypt3d]

Couple of things
Manual or automatic?

The 1995-1997 transmissions had speed sensor on the tail shaft, 1998-2000 did not
But you can swap tail shaft housings if you end up with 1998-2000 4.0l
Automatic has drive gear machined into output shaft, manual needs drive gear added, from 2.3l trans

Apparently I didn’t read this part. I have a manual transmission.