1987 Ranger 4.0 SOHC

[burner_123321]

Hey. This is my first post here, but since I've bought my '87 Ranger off the side of the road 4 years ago, I've been using this awesome site. It's been a huge source of information for every project on my truck. So here's my truck's introduction

1987 Ford Ranger 2wd
8.8in 31 spline rear (with discs) from a 1997 explorer
3.27 gears with Trac-loc

4.0 SOHC v6 from a 2001 sport trac

I've been thinking of doing a write-up of my engine swap. There's not a lot of info on this swap, everybody seems to think that it's useless and that I should have swapped a V8. But if anybody might find it helpful, I'd love to do a write up on it.

 

[RonD]

Welcome to TRS

I am sure people would like to see a write up

The reason 4.0l SOHC wasn't as popular of a swap is because the 1990-1994 4.0l OHV was almost a plug and play swap in a 2.9l Ranger, 1986-1992

V8 swap is the same work/effort as the 4.0l SOHC swap, and you have a "V8 Ranger" when its done, V6 Rangers are everywhere, made from 1983 thru 2011

But a labor of love is always worth the effort

 

[Ranger850]

V6 Rangers are everywhere, made from 1983 thru 2011

But how many 1987 Rangers came with a 4.0?
A Ranger that old with a 2001 4.0 would probably just as sweet as a v8 swap, IMHO

 

[burner_123321]

It actually turned out to be pretty "easy", the fm132 bolts up with a 2001 ranger flywheel and clutch, the original clutch slave cylinder works. The engine-mounts from the 2.9 bolt to the 4.0 sohc and it slips in with some trimming to the evaporator box, and it leaves the trans in it's original mounting location. I didn't have to change the dash. The engine is controlled with a Speeduino, and that was arguably the hardest part. Because no one has a fuel map, timing map, AFR map, or even an after start enrichment map for a 4.0 sohc. If there is a way to upload the TunerStudio file I will, or at least post pictures of the maps i made.

 

[Snoranger]

But how many 1987 Rangers came with a 4.0?

0... ‘90 was the first year of the 4.0L.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I think it's a pretty cool swap. Seems several folks out on the west coast have went this route.

200 horse reliably all day long.

If you want to put a detailed how to article... Hopefully with pictures...I feel there could be a place for the information here on TRS.

 

[RonD]

It actually turned out to be pretty "easy", the fm132 bolts up with a 2001 ranger flywheel and clutch, the original clutch slave cylinder works. The engine-mounts from the 2.9 bolt to the 4.0 sohc and it slips in with some trimming to the evaporator box, and it leaves the trans in it's original mounting location. I didn't have to change the dash. The engine is controlled with a Speeduino, and that was arguably the hardest part. Because no one has a fuel map, timing map, AFR map, or even an after start enrichment map for a 4.0 sohc. If there is a way to upload the TunerStudio file I will, or at least post pictures of the maps i made.

Yes, the mechanics of the swap shouldn't be an issue, if starting with a 2.9l Ranger, same block patterns as the 4.0l OHV and 4.0l SOHC

Does the Speeduino use the Knock sensor, i.e. can you run 87octane gasoline?

 

[Uncle Gump]

I had never heard of Speeduino... I had to look.

I went through the I/O list and don't remember seeing knock sensor specifically.

There were spare inputs though.

 

[Ranger850]

0... ‘90 was the first year of the 4.0L.

exactly.
That's at least 30 cool points