4.0 Debate... Keep or junk...

[harwood39]

Ok guys... here is the situation... I have a 96 ranger with the 4.0. I have just over 200k on her. It ticks like crazy, i know its a lifter and it wont hurt anything. The exhaust manifold gaskets leak, the exhaust leaks before the cat, the tranny shifts hard(auto), and its throwing too many codes to even list. I got this truck from my brother, who for the last 4 years has driven about 2000 miles a year. put 800 into the motor for an intake mani and few other little things. Than gave it to me. Now that i drive it daily i have put 3000 on it in the last 2 months and shes fallin apart. Motor leaks, tranny has been gone through once and they said it was fine but still shifts hard, and its gettin weak and loose.

Should i rebuild her, mod it and keep her, or swap in a 302 with AOD behind it.

 

[Ranger44]

If you want a reliable Ford tranny, a manual shift is the way to go.

What would you be using this truck for? This is important for a good answer.

 

[harwood39]

daily driving and off roading. I would perfer to keep it an auto. but if i need to go 5 speed i can, its just if i go 302 i already have an aod with it.

 

[Ranger44]

Slow Crawling or Faster?

A 4.0 with the right gears can perform better than a 302.

A 4.0 has a lower powerband. A 4.0 with the right gears can perform better than a 302. Do a search. This has been dicussed somewhere on here before.

Plus your truck is already set up for a 4.0......

 

[dzk007]

Tranny shifts hard? Please elaborate. This could probably just be a modulator valve and or a vacuum leak.
With the high miles on it I would say just fix the minor things like exhaust leaks and vacuum leaks then see how it runs and what codes it throws.
Probably due for an O2 sensor and maybe an engine temp sensor for the computer. I have an extra top end gasket set I can sell cheap if you want to fix the leaks.
My thought is to keep the 4.0L and give it some TLC but you should make sure it hasn't cracked a head or something serious first.

 

[bottledgt]

**** pushrod 4 liters...and a4ld's...302 AOD that bitch. you will love it. and you dont have to manual shift an auto to make it reliable. mine shifts hard and great. you can do a lot with aods ...or 4r70w's for that matter

 

[harwood39]

If i go 302 it will be coming out of a real early 80s LTD thats carbd. Which doesnt bother me i would just like to build it and switch it over to hydro roller lifters, how hard is it?

 

[Hahnsb2]

If i go 302 it will be coming out of a real early 80s LTD thats carbd.

Why bother? Fix the 4.0 and get a 5 speed.

 

[bottledgt]

because a 5.0 is way more fun

 

[dzk007]

The amount of work to go backwards to a carbed 302 and not get much if any gain is stretching it a bit. Then again, Wheeling a "Small Block" is a lot of fun with the RPM's and all...... I had a Bronco II with a 3.0L in it that was a bunch of fun.
I can understand going to an EFI 5.0 or a newer Crown Vic motor maybe......

 

[Ranger44]

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16277&page=2

Here's the link. It's already been discussed. Allan D knows what he's talking about. V8's really aren't that cool and you'd be more different NOT to swap one in. Everybody has done it.....

 

[Evan]

**** pushrod 4 liters...and a4ld's...302 AOD that bitch. you will love it. and you dont have to manual shift an auto to make it reliable. mine shifts hard and great. you can do a lot with aods ...or 4r70w's for that matter

What's wrong with a 4.0L pushrod engine??

 

[Ranger44]

The only thing that's really wrong with the OHV 4.0 is it's "slight" upper oiling issue. Other than that......what is wrong with the 4.0?

It is an amazingly torquey engine for it's size. Even better, that tourqe is down low, where it's best for off-road.

 

[rickcdewitt]

a 5.0 will make your truck a front heavy gas hog.crap if you plan on driving it every day.

BTW the roller cam conversions are junk, you should start out with a roller block if thats what you want

 

[Hahnsb2]

because a 5.0 is way more fun

Not a carbed smogger from the early 80s...