Engine replacement

[Tavis V]

Hello,

I am currently looking at replacing my engine on my 1993 manual 4x4, 3.0 V6 ranger. I'm hoping somebody could help on what engines from what years will be a direct swap. Just looking to get the truck running with hopefully no work, just an easy drop and plug in engine. I've heard that an engine from an Explorer from the same year and same size would be an exact fit.

Thanks for the help!

 

[superj]

did explorers come with a 3.0?

welcome to the site

 

[Tavis V]

Thanks! Im not to sure, I am having a hard time finding information. I think they might have only been a 4.0, but I thought I heard of people saying it was a direct fit into the rangers of the same year. Sorry im a bit new to all of this.

 

[CorbinsRanger]

Thanks! Im not to sure, I am having a hard time finding information. I think they might have only been a 4.0, but I thought I heard of people saying it was a direct fit into the rangers of the same year. Sorry im a bit new to all of this.

Theoretically you would want the exact year and motor to yoursif you want plug and play. There is a section here on the site which will tell you more about your motor and when changes were made.

1991-2009 Ford Ranger 3.0L V-6 - The Ranger Station

The Ford Vulcan V6 is a 3.0L, 60° V6 engine that replaced the 2.9L V6. It was used in the Ford Ranger from 1991-2009.

www.therangerstation.com

 

[rang-a-stang]

It also sort of depends on what you mean by "easy drop and plug in engine". If you just do the long block and swap all the EFI, sensors, etc. you will have a lot more options. If you want to just pull one engine out by disconnecting the exhuast, harness, and cooling hoses, it will be much trickier.

 

[Curious Hound]

Easiest, by far is 93 3.0l. 93-95 would be the ideal years. After 95, the ecu and wiring harness changed for the introduction of the OBD II architecture.

If you use a different sized engine, 4.0l, 2.9l, 2.3l, 2.5l, etc. Then you will need the attached transmission because the bellhousing bolt patterns are different.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I'm pretty sure the 3.0L used in the Ranger was only used in Rangers, explorers never had the 3.0L. The only other vehicle you can look for an engine out of is a Mazda B3000 of similar vintage. Unfortunately I don't know enough about the 3.0L to tell when anything was changed

Just adding Scott's comments on you duplicate post that I removed.

 

[Shran]

4.0 will not fit.

I believe you can use a Taurus or Aerostar engine. You want to stick with something pretty close to your truck's year.

 

[Tavis V]

Thank you all for the help.

From what I am understanding a 3.0 from a 1994 should have the same wiring harness and connections because in 1995 they switched to OBD II ? So its safe to say a 1993-94 3.0 would be fully interchangeable without having too many issues. I've also read that some models of 1995 were OBD I and some were OBD II, so if I found a 1995 3.0 OBD I it would be compatible?