4.0 or 5.0?

[jowen79]

I picked up a 1996 3.0 Ranger with no engine for a few hundred bucks a while back. I have a 4.0 that I was planning on putting in it, but I need to pick up a few things including trans, flywheel, and computer. I have also considered a 5.0 swap, but I have having trouble determining exactly what I need. It seems that most posts on this are for 1998 and up? Will the drive train from a 96-97 Explorer drop in fairly easily? I don't want to work on this for the next year. I'm currently driving a 3.0 that's nearing the end of its life, but I only paid $300 for it 3 years ago so no complaints. Thanks ahead for any advice or links

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[85_Ranger4x4]

4x4 or 2wd?

Most Ex's are AWD but you can use a fullsize t-case to make it 4wd.

If yours is 2wd and unless you snag a rare 2wd 5.0 Ex you will probably need a different trans.

Otherwise aside from driveshafts you should have a lot of the stuff on the Ex to make it work.

If you need a trans for the 4.0 I would rehome it and go 5.0.

 

[RonD]

Welcome to TRS

Well you can just go out and buy a stock 4.0l Ranger, which is why the 4.0l swap isn't that popular.
Same same labor and parts doing a 5.0l swap which you can't go out and buy because they were never made, which is why it is a more popular swap.

Best bet would be to sell the 4.0l engine and find a 3.0l vulcan engine and use it, needs to be complete and from a Ranger or B3000 since you don't have current engine to swap over parts from.
1995-1997 would be best match for current wiring and fuel system.

Or a V8 swap, motor/trans, computer and wiring

 

[jowen79]

4x4 or 2wd?

Most Ex's are AWD but you can use a fullsize t-case to make it 4wd.

If yours is 2wd and unless you snag a rare 2wd 5.0 Ex you will probably need a different trans.

Otherwise aside from driveshafts you should have a lot of the stuff on the Ex to make it work.

If you need a trans for the 4.0 I would rehome it and go 5.0.

It's a 4wd. I've read some about having to deal with the PATS if I get an Explorer newer than 97. Is it that big of a deal to swap the steering column? If I can't find a complete Explorer, can I just piece together the 96 Explorer components?

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[willy]

96 / 97 explorer would be the best option or a 98 motor with 97 computer works also but you have speed sensor issues if you use a 98 trans and wiring