3.0 to 4.0. Need help!

[3.0Wedge]

Hey guys. I have been searching all over the internet for info, but I can never find exactly what I'm looking for. I have seen tons of 3.0 to 4.0 SOHC swap threads, but I needed some more specific info.

I have a 2003 ranger with the 3.0, std. cab, 5 speed. I am looking into swapping in the 4.0 SOHC with the M5OD-R1HD tranny. I am looking for a donor vehicle, but I am having no luck.

I'm looking to keep the truck 2wd and make a nice little street truck out of it. From what I understand, the 01 models were the only std cab 2wd truck that came with the 4.0 SOHC.

Would a 4.0 SOHC work out of an explorer? I understand I would need to reprogram the PCM to have it work with a manual tranny, but does the M5OD-R1HD tranny bolt up to the 4.0 out of this vehicle?

My next question is if I find a 4.0 that is 4wd and has a transfer case, would that still work for a 2wd setup? I've never dealt with a transmission, transfer case etc so I'm completely in the dark about that situation.

My last question is what year model ranger/explorers should I be looking for? It would be great to find the drivetrain out of an '03 model, but anything else that will work would be awesome!

Thanks in advance!
As an extra note, I would appreciate it if nobody would suggest the 5.0. I want the 4.0 as this was a factory option for the Ranger

 

[stmitch]

Your existing trans will not bolt up to any 4.0. You'll need to find a 4.0 manual tranny (you may be able to just swap bell housings, but I'm not sure), and preferably an ecu from a manual 4.0 as well. Technically an ecu from a 4.0 with an auto would work, but you'd have to have a tuner eliminate the auto shift functions from the ecu.
If you find a 2wd ranger reg cab with a 4.0 SOHC and a 5 spd to use as a donor, I'd just switch trucks rather than going through all of the work switching the entire powertrain, wiring harness, exhaust, MAF, etc. Or you could always just boost the 3.0!

 

[3.0Wedge]

I was looking to go the boosted route. I parted out my DSM and everything to do the build...until someone offered me a pretty penny for all of it haha. I love boost, but the cops in Virginia are di**s. They see a vehicle that's been boosted that they know is not supposed to be, they'd be all over that. That's one of the main reasons I want a 4.0 swap. If I find a complete donor swap, it seems like the engine and tranny should bolt right up. That way I can increase my power output by at least 35 percent while still keeping a factory look to the truck

 

[3.0Wedge]

If I can't find the info I need on this, I might just end up going the boosted 3.0 route after all

 

[stmitch]

There may be a couple of guys on another forum wanting to sell their whipple kits if you decide to go with the boosted 3.0 (pm me, and I'll get you their info). The whipple supercharger was sold as a Ford Racing accessory, and was fully warranteed when installed by a dealer, so it's about as close to factory performance as you'll get. Most people who look under the hood wouldn't realize what it is anyway. And, it bolts on in a couple of hours for 01 and up 3.0's. Just need to get a tune.