3.0 ranger to 4.0 explorer

[crash1433]

New to the site and looking for some help. I did read the 4.0 conversion stickies but I still have some questions about my particular swap. I have a 1994 3.0 automatic 4x4. I basically bought it for $1 from a customer of mine who passed away. I have done mostly small stuff to it to try to bring it back power wise. At this point I am seriously considering a 4.0 swap. I have been told that anything 92-94 will work. I have found a 92 explorer with a 4.0 but it is a stick. What kind of nightmare am I looking at? The stuff in the tacked threads was auto to auto swaps so that is why I am looking to you guys for advice and guidance. The ranger will be a second car. No heavy duty use/off roading. The donor explorer is a running driving vehicle so I will have all the harnesses and computers from that vehicle and the axles as well. The donor explorer is about 4 hours from me so I want to be sure I am buying the right thing before I go get it.Any help would be great. Thanks.

 

[RonD]

Well the 3.0l and 4.0l use different transmission bolt patterns and there are no adapter plates, so 3.0l trans can't be used.
I assume the Explorer is 2WD since you didn't mention 4WD like you did with the Ranger.
And the Explorer 4.0l computer will be for a manual trans so won't have the software inside to shift an automatic.

The 2WD trans also won't work in 4WD truck, it can't be bolted to transfer case.

The 3.0l is 145 horse power, 4.0l is 160 HP, only 15HP more.

Doing an engine swap has certain costs, in your case you have an engine, but will need transmission(assume automatic) from a pre-1995 4WD 4.0l, an A4LD trans, in 1995 Ford switch to 4R44E autos and a new computer type(EEC-V, OBD II), which you don't want because of the extra parts/sensors needed.
And you will need the computer(EEC-IV, OBD I) and wiring harness(trans wiring too) from a 1990-1994 4.0l, 4WD, A4LD automatic.

And what you end up with is a truck that has unmatching VIN, VIN includes stock engine type, so when selling or registering you can run into problems.
On V8 conversions Ranger buyers all know the VIN won't show V8.
But say you never want to sell it, you still have the issue of parts, '94 3.0l Ranger with '92 4.0l engine, '93 trans, and '91 computer, lol, well it can be a hassle a few years down the road when you need a part.

What you might consider is getting the 3.0l Ranger in good shape, and selling it, then use that money to get a 4.0l Ranger 4WD auto
Just a thought.

Or sell that 4.0l and get V8, 225HP so well worth, almost the same, effort as 4.0l swap
You still need the new trans, computer and harness and just a little more effort

 

[crash1433]

Sorry. I forgot to mention that the explorer is a 4wd. It is a running driving vehicle that has some body issues. AS far as the vin goes NY goes by the vin of the frame not the motor so that isn't a concern. I'm going to say that when the time comes for me to part with this truck, it will be a donor vehicle itself not a driver. I know its only a 10 or 15 hp gain but the extra torque combined with the stick will be good enough for me. is there anything else I need to think of? Will the transfer case from the explorer work in my ranger? I have manual 4x4 in the ranger now. I think the explorer is auto hubs. Thank you for your reply.