1997 Ranger 4.0 engine swap

[moonbeam]

I'm new to the forum so please excuse what some may see as a dumb question. However, I think the only dumb question is the one that's never ask. I bought a 97 Ranger (great deal I hope) with a 4.0 that is locked up. I'm wondering what other 4.0 engines will fit my truck without mods. Thanks in advance for your time and help!

 

[bort]

96-99 should have the same wiring and all are OBD2, however in 97 the number of bolts from crankshaft to flywheel/flexplate changed. So if you find a 96 you have to get some of that stuff with it not sure what though. Any of the other changes I think can be salvaged off the old engine.

 

[pcollins]

'97 was also the last year for the OHV 4.0Ls...in '98 they switched to SOHC.

 

[97RangerXLT]

I believe the OHV was used in the Ranger until 2002 and the explorer until 2000.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

 

[pcollins]

Not according to this.

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/4_0_Page.html

 

[moonbeam]

Thanks for the replies. I am learning more as I continue to read and I know my vin is a X code which means an OHV engine. Also, from one of the posters, I need a 97 or later engine since they changed the bolt pattern at the crank in 97.

 

[rfingon]

I agree to disagree with the SOHC statement in that article. I have a 98 Ranger XLT with a vin X OHV engine in it.

 

[bort]

The OHV was used in rangers up until 2000, in the explorer the sohc was available in 98 but some were OHV some were SOHC. Vin X is definitely the OHV. I think post 2000 all were SOHC rangers and explorers not 100% on that though. I know for sure about the rangers till 2000 though. As said youre limited to 97-99 anyway without changing the flywheel for 96 or the wiring and computer for 2000.
Check car-part.com, while an individual is prone to error the overall group of results should give you the big picture of what will work. If youre really up to it, track down a junk 96 aerostar vin X with wiring and computer. They made more power than the others due to a ford changing their mind about discontinuing them at the last minute and giving them higher compression heads on the old pistons.

 

[moonbeam]

Found a 2000 model X VIN Explorer with a 4.0 OHV engine. Will this work in a 97 Ranger without replacing half the components? If I have to change things what will I have to change? Just looking everything looks the same including the intake.

 

[adsm08]

The OHV 4.0 was used in Rangers and was the base engine in Explorers until 2002-ish. The SOHC engine became available in 1998 but was an option.

I base this on personal experience as I have seen 98 Explorers with SOHC engines but have a friend with an unmolested 99 with the OHV version.

I have never seen a factory SOHC in a pre-2002 Ranger, nor have I ever seen an OHV in an IRS Explorer. 2002 was the last year for the Sport and the first year of IRS 4-doors.

 

[moonbeam]

The OHV 4.0 was used in Rangers and was the base engine in Explorers until 2002-ish. The SOHC engine became available in 1998 but was an option.

I base this on personal experience as I have seen 98 Explorers with SOHC engines but have a friend with an unmolested 99 with the OHV version.

I have never seen a factory SOHC in a pre-2002 Ranger, nor have I ever seen an OHV in an IRS Explorer. 2002 was the last year for the Sport and the first year of IRS 4-doors.

So are you saying the 2000 OHV from an Explorer will work?