1999 Ranger...engine search

[JDMengineDr]

Noob alert!

Okay, here's the story: After about 15 years of wrenching on import cars and trucks I have just bought a really nice 1999 Ranger off of a buddy.

The catch is the engine is gone...literally. It is in pieces in the back of the truck after being dismantled by the local Ford dealership. I guess the story was both head gaskets were leaking and my buddy kept driving and driving. Both heads cracked and he just didn't have the cash to pay the piper, so to speak.

I've done lots of engine swaps on Hondas and the such, but never on a domestic vehicle....(!)

So, a used 4.0L ohv engine is proving difficult at best to locate. I've found a 1998 Ford Explorer with a good running 4.0 L ohv engine (may or may not have EGR, and mine doesn't) at an excellent price. It's really the only lead I've found in 3 weeks of searching for an engine.

So besides the long introduction, I'm wondering if any of you knowledgeable Ford guys can offer advice on this, or any engine that will fit my new Ranger?

Cheers.

 

[cappin90]

well if you have to put in a new engine in it you could probably go big and swap in a 302 without too much difficulty and im not sure but didnt explorers get the SOHC 4.0 in 98? if it has a OHV 4.0 it should just be a bolt in swap though

 

[LittleBigFoot]

A dude on here is runnin a blown 5.0 but it took some work if i could remember.

Advance adaptors and such don't sell a 5.0 conversion kit four the IFS rangers due to that damn crossmember up front. I'm not sure but I'm guessing it's due to oil pan clearence issues.

I've heard a 3.0 and 4.0 use the same engine mounts so possibly? But a 3.0 ain't worth the time if you ask me.

 

[Southern3.0]

Try Car-part.com to track down an engine. Its where I found the engine for my F-150, worked out great for me.

 

[firefighter525]

I just put another 4.0L in my 2000 ranger. I found my motor using car-part.com and there was alot of motors available. But, it took some time for me because I was looking for a low mileage motor. I finally found one out of a 98 Ranger with 69,000 and got it for $450.

Your truck had the OHV 4.0L and the explorer you found would be a SOHC motor. For an easy direct swap, I would suggest finding another OHV 4.0 from a 98-00 Ranger.

 

[exbass94]

Your truck had the OHV 4.0L and the explorer you found would be a SOHC motor. For an easy direct swap, I would suggest finding another OHV 4.0 from a 98-00 Ranger.

That Explorer engine may be a SOHC, but it also may be an OHV. Ford offered both in the Explorer up until around 2000.

 

[firefighter525]

That Explorer engine may be a SOHC, but it also may be an OHV. Ford offered both in the Explorer up until around 2000.

Thanks for the info, I learned something new today. When I was looking for my motor I ruled out all explorers assuming all 97 and up would be SOHC. Now, I wonder how many were actually an OHV that I passed on?

 

[Fro_911]

JDM depending on where your located I have a complete 4.0 OHV engine with 96,000 miles in my garage. I bought a '98 ext cab 4x4 for $500 from a guy who had the headgasket replaced, but was still leaking. Anyhow, I swapped the 4.0 for another with less mileage, then pulled the heads off and replaced both gaskets. Now it's sitting on my engine stand and I need to make room for another 2.3t project...

 

[JDMengineDr]

Thanks for the info guys...It seems that there are lots of options, but 3.0L and 5.0L aren't the solutions I'm looking for. Anyways, I was as surprised as Firefighter525 o learn that the Explorer was sold with both the OHV and SOHC engines until 2000(!) Who knows how many were produced of the OHV engine, considering IMO people would opt for the SOHC given the choice. Why offer both anyways when there is a 3.0L and a 2.3L in the same platform already?

Fro_911....in Alberta, Canada for what its worth. I'm going to look at a good (I'm told) 4.0L in a 1998 Explorer near Edmonton on Sunday. The only thing is, the guy doesn't know if it has an EGR valve or not, and my Ranger doesn't have one. Does it matter or am I looking at a horror show when it comes to my ECU and the such?

 

[firefighter525]

I wouldn't worry about the EGR stuff since yours originally didn't have it. My original motor did not have the EGR but the replacement I found did have it. I removed it and used the plug that was on my original motors manifold to plug the hole. It came out fairly easy, but I soaked it with PB blaster for a few days. I also used the throttle body off my original because the one on the replacement motor had all the wiring and vacuum stuff for the EGR. I guess you could plug all that off, but IMO it just looked cleaner to use the original. Used my original wire harness also. Didn't have any problems with check engine lights.