Should I go 302 or 4.0L swap?

[baddad457]

Looking at the engines, stock to stock.



I'm talking about torque below 3,000rpm, and 68ft/lbs of torque is almost comparable to going from a 2.3 to a 3.0.

I'll put my stock to stock 5.0 against yours anytime , bumper to bumper and I garanteee you mine will pull yours around the parking lot at an idle. Your trying to compare peak torque here, that's not an indication of the torque output in the rest of the powerband.

 

[Totalled]

Yes, but at a higher rpm.

Low torque is better for a towing/offroad truck.

If he is, however, looking for a "fast" truck, then a 5.0 may be more of what he wants.

Mine certainly doesn't. It's out of breath at 4,000 rpm. I daily drive a 4.0 and while it makes great torque, it does not have more low end than my 302.

These are both with a comp cam, since the software doesn't have a stock option..

 

[rickcdewitt]

heres some swap threads to get you thinking-
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6522
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22150
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23460
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21701
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22405
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21779
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21841
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21536
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20826
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16712
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17087
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17806
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15737

some of them aren't complete but there are some good questions asked in every build.yours would be like the other 89-92 swaps-pretty easy.

you will need a 4.0l torque converter,throttle cable,ecu,its harness and the engine harness.i used the headlight harness too and did the re-pinning(you can move around the wires in the plug easy) at the firewall plug and tranny harness connector.i'm not an auto tranny guy so i don't know if your flexplate and spacer will work.i'm probably forgetting some stuff too.

you pretty much need to empty both engine bays and swap it over.take lots of pics of how the stuff is laid out so you don't need to rely on memory.


ranger 44-don't pic on their precious 302,they have a hard enough time justifying it to the wifey's. J/K

 

[Ranger44]

ranger 44-don't pic on their precious 302,they have a hard enough time justifying it to the wifey's. J/K

I'll leave it alone. I know what works best for ME, I was only here to share my opinion. The 4.0 is a good tourqey engine and makes it down low. It's a more bolt in swap than the 5.0. I'll leave it at that.

 

[baddad457]

you pretty much need to empty both engine bays and swap it over.take lots of pics of how the stuff is laid out so you don't need to rely on memory.


ranger 44-don't pic on their precious 302,they have a hard enough time justifying it to the wifey's. J/K

Wow, You pretty much have to empty the engine bay for a 302 swap too. Where's the benefit of a 4.0 swap then? And the REAL men don't have to justify anything to our wives.

 

[Spdrcer34]

You guys are arguing the good and bad points of the MOTORS at hand....but you are failing to bring up the MOST IMPORTANT failure point....TRANSMISSIONS!

The 4.0L has VERY FEW transmission options. And to be honest, there is only 1 'good' option of them. And that is the `05+ V6 Mustang T-5.....

The 5.0L on the other hand has everything the 4.0L doesn't have...More Torque. More Torque Potential. More HP. More HP potential. And MANY Transmission options. Top Loader, T-45, T-5, T-56, M5OD, TKO, 3550, 3560, C4, C6, AOD, AODE/4R70W....And those are just the ones I can think of right now that BOLT RIGHT UP...

Ryan

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

You guys are arguing the good and bad points of the MOTORS at hand....but you are failing to bring up the MOST IMPORTANT failure point....TRANSMISSIONS!

The 4.0L has VERY FEW transmission options. And to be honest, there is only 1 'good' option of them. And that is the `05+ V6 Mustang T-5.....

The 5.0L on the other hand has everything the 4.0L doesn't have...More Torque. More Torque Potential. More HP. More HP potential. And MANY Transmission options. Top Loader, T-45, T-5, T-56, M5OD, TKO, 3550, 3560, C4, C6, AOD, AODE/4R70W....And those are just the ones I can think of right now that BOLT RIGHT UP...

Ryan

Actually the 4.0 has the M5OD option from the factory in Rangers, a manual truck 1989 or newer has one.

2.8's had a C-5 that will also bolt to a 4.0, the C-5 is similar to a C-4. I actually have a C-5 with a C-4 bellhousing for my V-8 swap. It takes a little hunting around but they are out there.

The OP wants to go with a 4.0 now, further debate isn't really needed.

 

[skinner]

Right on...M50D is a damn good transmission.
The 5.0 has a few good ones too.
I do wish people would move on to newer and more interesting motors. The 5.0 is alright...but i'd like to see the new lincoln motor in a ranger...that thing looks like it'd haul ass AND get good fuel economy.

 

[stevenf]

Right on...M50D is a damn good transmission.
The 5.0 has a few good ones too.
I do wish people would move on to newer and more interesting motors. The 5.0 is alright...but i'd like to see the new lincoln motor in a ranger...that thing looks like it'd haul ass AND get good fuel economy.

Ive been doing a little research on the 4.2L v6 and it sounds awesome. 202hp and 252ft.lbs torque. From what I understand, that to will bolt in just like the 4.0L. This is a good thing for me because there are tons of 99-03 F-150s sitting in local junk yards. Any input?

 

[baddad457]

The 4.2 V6 is as wide as a 302 and nearly as long. It does use the same transmission bell as a 302, not the 4.0.

 

[baddad457]

Actually the 4.0 has the M5OD option from the factory in Rangers, a manual truck 1989 or newer has one.

2.8's had a C-5 that will also bolt to a 4.0, the C-5 is similar to a C-4. I actually have a C-5 with a C-4 bellhousing for my V-8 swap. It takes a little hunting around but they are out there.

The OP wants to go with a 4.0 now, further debate isn't really needed.

My 89 had an M5OD behind the 2.9. It had issues from day one. Mainly leaks.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

My 89 had an M5OD behind the 2.9. It had issues from day one. Mainly leaks.

Every once in awhile they goof up from the norm, just like how my parents have 170k miles on their A4LD...

 

[BlackBII]

My 89 had an M5OD behind the 2.9. It had issues from day one. Mainly leaks.

You just gotta get rid of the rubber plugs...

There is no replacement for displacement. So, if your lookin for big power and torque via a more 'buildable' motor, go with the 5.0. (more costly, more work)

If you just have a DD or weekend warrior that needs some more 'oomph' so that you can actually use 4x4 high, go with a 4.0. (less costly, less work)

Pretty simple.

 

[Totalled]

Ive been doing a little research on the 4.2L v6 and it sounds awesome. 202hp and 252ft.lbs torque. From what I understand, that to will bolt in just like the 4.0L. This is a good thing for me because there are tons of 99-03 F-150s sitting in local junk yards. Any input?

Eh, no. The 4.2 is a stroked 3.8. They have the same head sealing issues plus they like to eat crank shafts..

 

[rickcdewitt]

I'll leave it alone. I was only here to share my opinion. I'll leave it at that.

come one man i was trying to joke WITH you not at you.

Where's the benefit of a 4.0 swap then?

all the stuff to go back in bolts in and is much cheaper to obtain.plus it serves the role of putt around idling gas waster (work truck) much better.theres just no need for a v-8 unless its a toy.

There is no replacement for displacement. So, if your lookin for big power and torque via a more 'buildable' motor, go with the 5.0. (more costly, more work)

If you just have a DD or weekend warrior that needs some more 'oomph' so that you can actually use 4x4 high, go with a 4.0. (less costly, less work)

Pretty simple.

exactly,you can't compare these motors apples to apples when they are better at filling different roles.when someone with a DD comes on and says "which is better" i know exactly what to say.

if my truck ever gets one tons i'de swap to the beautiful music of a small block otherwise i am still looking for a diesel that will get me into the mid 20's mpg