2.3L Engine Swap

[bathtub.toaster]

I've got a 98 ranger with a 2.3L L4 and an M5OD five speed transmission. It's got 450k miles on the engine and about 170k on the trans since it was replaced a while ago. Engine is definitely overdue for a rebuild, but I figure I'd like to spend the money swapping a V6 in instead.
Anybody got any suggestions on what would be a good "plug and play" option that's both reliable and relatively powerful?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

You will need to change both engine and transmission if you're going v6. The trans bell housing bolt pattern is different.
I like the 4.0 personally. Try to stay within a year or two is what I've heard is best as far as wiring.

 

[scotts90ranger]

Can't argue with that, not that it changes anything but a '98 would have a 2.5L not a 2.3 but that's just semantics as they're the same other than stroke...

That said the OHV 4L is likely a bit tougher but the OHC 4L has more power, like mentioned both will require a different transmission (although it's the same transmission between the two other than one bellhousing hole). The fuel systems changed starting in '98 so staying with that will let you stay with most of the same stuff, the OHC started in '00 I think. All of the V6's will have the PATS system where your '98 doesn't but if you get a donor truck or get all the related stuff it should be doable.