Im in need of some opinions!!

[twisted064]

OK, so i have a 2000 ext. cab 4x4 with the 3.0 flex fuel motor, recently had a small fire from the headlights that require a new engine bay harness which is about 450.00$.
my question is this to get her running again i have to replace a few things (all plastic) that melted in the fire.
ALL that said here is the question... is it worth it to just fix what was and i assume still is a good 3.0 or should i just swap out to a 4.0 SOHC ? i dont think i want to go to the 5.0 just because it involves a litle more home engineering than i want to. i really just want to maintain the factory reliability i do pull a trailer regularly but the 3.0 handled it ok so im thinking the 4.0 would be great.
OK guys gimme your best info. and thanks in advance for any help and expierienced opinions.

 

[strvger]

iirc, you'd have to replace the motor and tranny as the 3.0 bell housing has a different pattern than the 4.0. i guess if you could find a complete donor ranger or explorer with a good drivetrain, that might be a good option for you as you do tow regularly.
if that's more involved than you feel comfortable with, then just fix up what you need to on the 3.0 as long as it is still in good shape.
just my $.02.

and Welcome to TRS !!!

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[Robert_1967]

you would need a new computer, a new wiring harness, a new transmission,new transfercase, maybe two new drive shafts.

If you was going from a 2.3 to a 4.0, I would go for it, but a 3.0 to 4.0, I don't think it would be worth it, Unless you have a good donor that has a badly rusted out body.

 

[The_Dealer]

5.0 xploder, get the radiator, y pipe, engine, trans(4r70w with 4wd, use your t-case) ac lines, airbox, maf, intake tube, all sensors and complete wiring, radiator hoses, fan shroud, and i believe thats it. not as hard of a swap as people make out. i was gonna do it in my 00 2.5 when it did this

but i wasted my money on a 2.3 instead. by the time i got a new clutch and some gaskets and stuff i coulda hada v8

btw when i pulled the pain on shown motor, i never found the rest of the rod. guess its in I-75S somewhere lol

 

[superds]

you would need a new computer, a new wiring harness, a new transmission,new transfercase, maybe two new drive shafts.

If you was going from a 2.3 to a 4.0, I would go for it, but a 3.0 to 4.0, I don't think it would be worth it, Unless you have a good donor that has a badly rusted out body.

You're right about the computer, wiring harness and transmission but I don't think swapping from a 3.0 to 4.0 would require new driveshafts or a transfercase.