SOHC Driveline swap..

[Time2SHO]

I have the chance to get a 2003 Ranger thats 4X4 and a 5-speed manual at a very low price from my uncle with low mileage on it. unfortunately that truck itself is not road worthy and only the driveline is still looks like its ok.

I was wondering if its possible to swap all the driveline from the "03 to something like a third generation truck? I know one of the issues is the front end on a third gen is different than the "03, but could it be possible to link up the third gen axle to the "03 transfer case?

Sorry if someone has posted this already, I might have over looked it.

But thanks for your time
Matthew.

 

[adsm08]

Wow. While those are all valid questions you are worried about all the wrong stuff. The transfer case to front axle connection is the least of your worries with the proposed swap. The 03 front drive shaft should bolt straight to the flange on your current axle.

The bigger issue is engine fitment. Namely that it won't. The 4.0 SOHC oil pan has a very different shape and depth than your pushrod 4.0. The engine will sit on it's pan on the engine cross member in your truck and not be engaged to the engine mounts correctly by virtue of being up too high.

 

[Time2SHO]

Like can I change the oil pan to fit around the engines cross member? An would the oil pickup possibly have to change as well? Or would the cross member have to be moved/modifided?

I know that it wasn't going to be a direct replacement, but just wanted to know if I can do it within reason. And some of the issues that I could encounter along the way.

I guess I should have worded it better, sorry.

 

[adsm08]

The oil pan swap is not going to solve the problem. The SOHC uses a Block/Bed pan/oil pan setup where the bed pan is a structural support for the block. The OHV just has a traditional oil pan.

The only option is to mod the cross member which is not easy because of the front axle.

 

[Snoranger]

Like Adsm said, the front crossmember will need a good amount of trimming. It has been done before though.

The heater box will need a LOT of trimming and will flow like sh!t.
The Y-pipe will need to be modified quite a bit.
If you're one of those "I'm no good at wiring" people, stop thinking about the swap now.
You will need matching 4.0 motor mounts and block brackets for a TTB truck.

 

[Time2SHO]

Like Adsm said, the front crossmember will need a good amount of trimming. It has been done before though.

The heater box will need a LOT of trimming and will flow like sh!t.
The Y-pipe will need to be modified quite a bit.
If you're one of those "I'm no good at wiring" people, stop thinking about the swap now.
You will need matching 4.0 motor mounts and block brackets for a TTB truck.

I'll be doing this work with a mechanic, I'm trying to get my apprenticeship and thought it might be a good experience. But I guess i'd be better off doing the swap on some newer model? Like finding a high mileage 01+?

 

[Snoranger]

Starting with a 98+ should address the problems I listed.

 

[Time2SHO]

Starting with a 98+ should address the problems I listed.

Would I be able to use do the conversation on a 2wd(If I found a 2wd truck?) From the parts from the 4X4? Or Am I getting myself further into things?

 

[Destroyer000]

i just did this swap... ive got a 3 inch body lift.. so heater box clearance wasn't a problem.. the oil pan did give me a hard time.. i ended up notching the crossmember to clear it, but i had already hacked the bottom of it to clear the d44 i put in. i ran 98 injectors, and fuel rail to get a return system, ran the sohc y pipe didnt have a problem there. i used my 95 engine harness and 95 computer and i used the 95 radiator, 95 4.0 engine mounts, frame mounts, and the 95 starter and tranny. so far its been a great improvement.. ive got a check engine light for the cam sensor. thats it. we wired it up according to the old sensor but the 2 arent close to being the same..

it is a do able swap.. starting with a 2wd you might be into it deeper than you thought.

 

[06RangerXLT]

may as well build a tube frame, drop a ranger body on it and build all the mounts for everything. its gonna be about the same amount of work.

 

[adsm08]

may as well build a tube frame, drop a ranger body on it and build all the mounts for everything. its gonna be about the same amount of work.

I was just thinking the same thing. If the body of the newer truck is all that is messed up you may as well just do a body swap. There were no major changes to the Ranger dash from 93 to 2011 anyway so just swap bodies, re-run the newer wiring to the old body, and make a truck of it.

 

[Snoranger]

ive got a check engine light for the cam sensor. thats it. we wired it up according to the old sensor but the 2 arent close to being the same..

I'm working on that. I'm going to machine a new cam sync body to fit the SOHC block and use the OHV cam sync guts.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The early third gens (IIRC 93 & 94) still used the older style heater box... so you could delete the A/C if applicable/willing and have a MUCH smaller heater box to deal with.

SAS and a custom crossmember would kill any problems with the stock crossmember if you are willing to go that route.

Never really delt with a SOHC much, do all applications use the same pan? (Ranger, Explorer and Mustang) Those are all pretty different engine bays...

 

[Time2SHO]

I was just thinking the same thing. If the body of the newer truck is all that is messed up you may as well just do a body swap. There were no major changes to the Ranger dash from 93 to 2011 anyway so just swap bodies, re-run the newer wiring to the old body, and make a truck of it.

That sounds like it would be much easier, I will check this out tomorrow to see if the frame is straight.

Just another question, If I was just going to swap the third gen body onto the 2003, does the body still need to be from a donor 4X4 ranger? or could I just pick up a 2wd?

Thank you so much for the help so far. And everyone one else too, thank you.

 

[adsm08]

I'm working on that. I'm going to machine a new cam sync body to fit the SOHC block and use the OHV cam sync guts.

Let me know if you succeed. I am still torn between refreshing the SOHC in my garage for use in my B2 or just doing the head gasket that it needs and trying to sell it for $500. If you succeed I may be interested in the purchase of one of those units.

Never really delt with a SOHC much, do all applications use the same pan? (Ranger, Explorer and Mustang) Those are all pretty different engine bays...

They do all use the same pan arrangement.

The Ranger and Explorer bays are not that dissimilar below the hood line. The big thing that all three of those engine bays have in common is that the bottom of it is quite open. The late Ranger/Explorers have a very low engine cross member and the Mustang doesn't really have one at all.

That sounds like it would be much easier, I will check this out tomorrow to see if the frame is straight.

Just another question, If I was just going to swap the third gen body onto the 2003, does the body still need to be from a donor 4X4 ranger? or could I just pick up a 2wd?

It still won't be a perfect bolt on swap, but yes, probably much easier.

As for the drive line question, 2wd or 4x4 doesn't matter much for the body.The biggest difference is that some of the 4x4 beds have decals that identify them as such.