Ranger Engine swap

[matterofsteel]

Howdy! My name is John. I'm a new guy. Tryin' to get the feel for the website, so forgive me if I am asking a previously answered inquiry. I looked around as best I could, but didn't have any luck, really.

This is my question:
Can I install (wait- of course I can) Does anyone know the specifics on doing a change over in the following? : I want to pull the SOHC 4.0 engine out of a 2003 Ranger 4x4 and install a 1998 OHV 4.0 engine. Anyone give me some pointers or know exactly what is involved in doing this?? I have a '98 OHV 4.0 and the ECM for it. This is possible to do isn't it?? Any help would be appreciated immensely. Thanks

 

[adsm08]

SnoRanger is the man to talk to. He put one in his 95 Explorer, which is about the same as what you are looking to do.

 

[Snoranger]

Get a 98 SOHC computer, engine harness, ignition tumbler and keys (only if they had PATS in '98), exhaust Y-pipe, and rad hoses.... swap the '98 motor mount brackets onto the '03 motor, then bolt it in and go.

I dont know if an '03 intake will work with the '98 air cleaner assembly, you're on your own with that one.

Power steering cooler may be different, the lines will definitely be different.

You may find a few sensors that need to be swapped out. My swap was a little different as I used an '01 SOHC motor and a '95 OHC computer and built a custom harness.

The existing fan, shroud, radiator, trans, etc will all work.


Honestly, if your OHV is still running strong and you dont buzz the motor over 3000 rpm often, you'll never notice the difference between the OHV and SOHC.

 

[2813josh]

The way I'm reading this he's wanting to do the opposite...replace a SOHC motor with an OHV.. Don't get it.

 

[adsm08]

The way I'm reading this he's wanting to do the opposite...replace a SOHC motor with an OHV.. Don't get it.

Yeah, so? It's still roughly the same swap. All the same parts have to be changed, all the same work has to be done.

 

[matterofsteel]

Thank you for the knowledge. I appreciate it very much. The reason I'm wanting to swap them out is for the fact that SOHC motor is toast and I can get the OHV motor for super cheap (Free!) and its a low mileage motor that runs perfect. The 2003 is my wifes rig so she had it towed to the dealer when it broke down.I have a 94 Ranger as well and have never had a problem with the OHV motor in it and have always favored that motor over the SOHC motor in several ways. I'm a fair wrench and fabricator , (not the best but I do alright), and I'm fairly confident that I can do it just fine. If I had the two trucks sitting side by side for an hour, I'm certain that I could list what would be required in dropping the OHV motor in the 2003 but unfortunately that scenario is non-existant. The dealer quoted me about $3100.00 to put a new motor in it, and I guess you can imagine my thoughts on that. (Bwaaahaahaaa!) The wiring harness is my main concern (ie; O2 sensors, ECM, etc..) and the air intake configuration as well. Isn't the Oil filler tube on the passenger side on the SOHC motor and its opposite on the OHV?? Wy wifes rig is still at the dealer so I'm just going by memory, so I very well may be wrong about that. lol I wasn't aware that the exhaust was that much different tho. That's a bummer but do-able I guess. If you know of anything else,i'm all ears bro. Thanks again. Ur da man. ~JB~

 

[matterofsteel]

That is correct. I am wanting to replace the SOHC motor with a OHV motor. A '98 Ranger 4.0 motor into a 2003 Ranger .

 

[Snoranger]

The way I'm reading this he's wanting to do the opposite...replace a SOHC motor with an OHV.. Don't get it.

Whoops, I didnt really read the post, just skimmed it. Most of everything I said still applies, just backwards.

Its not worth it.... Its not a weekend swap. There's a lot more time involved then you would think.
You would have to use the '03 comp and build a custom harness. If you dont know Fords wiring inside and out, you're F'ed. There isnt a shop out there that will touch that thing after this. (She had it towed to the dealer... that will never happen again.) Go get a low mileage Mustang 4.0l from the JY and be done with it.