swap question

[pfar54]

I know this may have been asked before. I'm not new to forums and know how aggrivating it is when people don't search and you see repeating questions. I searched through the first 18 pages on here and then tried a few different kind of searches. A few threads helped a little, but wasn't really what I needed.

So with than in mind. I have a 94 Ranger with the 4.0 in it and it's automatic. I think I am possibly getting some piston slap and my truck has 173,000 miles on it I'm pretty sure( it is a 5 digit speedo, so it could possibly 73k but I doubt it) So if my truck holds up through this winter in the summer when I stop driving my truck for the most part I might look into getting a newer engine for it. I would definitly want something newer because I doubt I could find a 93-94 engine with 'low miles'. If I would bother even attempting this I would want to find something with under 100k miles. So I would look in salvage yards and craigslist to find something newer.

I know 2001 and up have the SOHC engines. Are these even able to be swapped into my 94 without great fab work? I know I would need a new wiring harness and computer. But would that be it? New long block, harness, computer? Would other things like the exhaust match up and would it work with my current transmission?

Then if I would happen to find a lower mile 93-00 engine would I need a new harness and computer for the 05-00's?

So basically I am asking two questions here.

What all would I need to do a SOHC engine swap.

What would I need for a 05-00 engine swap.

If all of this seems like too much I may consider just pulling out my engine and rebuilding it. I have never done that before though. I've never assembled the shortblock before. I've done all the rest though. Would rebuilding it be costly or is it reasonable?

 

[alaskan155]

there is an 1st gen running aroundon here who swap dashes to the 95+, believe the 4.0 and sohc share the same motor mounts and tranny bolt patterns(but the flexplate may be 8-bolt like the 97+ 4.0), ive heard of the regualar 4.0 computer being used(explorerforums) and i belive the guy used new injectors and had a custom flash for the sohc done, but there isnt no reason you cant get the 4.0 sohc computer and harness(obdII) and wire it into your trucks harness, which the only problem i see is the spedomer in a 94 is mechanical/vss, and the gen 4(98+) are electronic, so the 94 vss signal is wrong, unless the 01 sohc get them from the rear axle vss and not the tranny, then since the 95-09 updated dash, ford moved the heater box over, so on 94 down you have to modify it to clear the intake and stuff. then there is the PATS system, which the 94 column has no provisions to add

 

[pfar54]

So basically it is do-able? You are saying I could keep my computer and harness and just get it tuned? then the only thing that would be off would be the speedo and I would have to do something about the pats system?

Anyone have any ideas on rebuilding it and the prices for the parts and what not not?