4.0 SOHC or 5.0 Swap?

[CatBee]

I have a 1993 Ranger 4x4 manual with the 4.0 OHV. I don't plan on doing anything major to the engine soon because it's got enough power for right now and runs perfectly. I do in the future, when it's not my daily, want to engine swap it. I'm considering the 4.0 SOHC from a later ranger or a 5.0/302 from like an explorer. In my mind, the 4.0 would take up less space, be lighter, and maybe more fuel efficient. The 5.0 definitely has more after market support and it's a V8 so it's cool, but I feel like it would make the engine bay cramped and I would like to retain heat, power steering, all that kind of stuff. I also wonder how well the 302 would clear things like 4x4 and I don't think the 302 bolts up to my M5ODR1. What do you guys think?

 

[rubydist]

The sohc will not be enough different in performance to justify any effort.

 

[SenorNoob]

Only reasons I can see to do a SOHC swap is you can't find a OHV junkyard engine to replace a bad one (or already have it) or you can get a Moddbox kit.

 

[fastpakr]

Another vote for keeping the OHV or considering the 5.0.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

So, the SOHC is a more complicated motor that produces not a lot more power and as crazy as it is, all three motors (OHV, SOHC and 5.0) get about the same fuel economy on average.

The 5.0 makes v8 noises.

If you want more power and better fuel economy and aren’t afraid of making things work, a 2.3 Ecoboost would be a viable candidate.

 

[CatBee]

Well I've been doing some research. The 4.0 SOHC would let me keep all of my stock transmission and tcase. The 5.0 would be cooler and give more power but from what I've read I would have to get an M5R2 out of a V6 F150 and then a BW1356 out of an older F150 and then might have to do some modification to work which I'm not really against that but it is a lot more work than just the SOHC swap.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Well I've been doing some research. The 4.0 SOHC would let me keep all of my stock transmission and tcase. The 5.0 would be cooler and give more power but from what I've read I would have to get an M5R2 out of a V6 F150 and then a BW1356 out of an older F150 and then might have to do some modification to work which I'm not really against that but it is a lot more work than just the SOHC swap.

This may help if you haven't come across it yet

https://www.therangerstation.com/tech/4-0-ohv-to-4-0-sohc-v6-engine-swap/#gsc.tab=0

I wouldn't go out of my way to put a SOHC in much that it didn't come in originally. And honestly I would be tempted to find something else rather than replace one.

5.0's are getting long in the tooth and it is getting hard to find one that doesn't need rebuilt. It feels as though amidst a sea of LS's and Coyotes they are becoming the new flathead.

If it was mine and I didn't want to mess with the driveline I would find another pushrod 4.0. To me the SOHC isn't worth it.

If you do go SOHC for the love of god replace the rube goldberg timing chain system BEFORE you put it in.

 

[Shran]

You already have the best engine ever born in a Ranger! SOHC 4.0 is a step backwards in every way.

V8 swap it if you want, that's been done a million times. I like mine, it's fun to drive, my only advice there is to do a bunch of reading - way more than you think you need to - because there are ways to do it where it works well and fits, and ways where it doesn't fit well and has frustrating quirks.