swapping a 1997 4.0 ohv into a 1987 2.9 ranger

[spudtruck]

Just asking for help with the swap and looking for any useful info. I plan on swapping a 4.0 and m5od from a 1997 ranger into my 87 with the 2.9 and fm145. I have heard that the m5od is longer and requires moving the transmission mount, but other than that, does it just bolt in? I would like to keep the transfer case and drivshafts I have. Also, I have heard it is easier to swap an older 4.0, like a 93 or 94, into my 87. Why is that? Another question I have is what upgrades or things I should do to the 4.0 to improve reliability before I put it in? It has 230,000 miles. I have a 1997 Ranger that was rolled as my parts car, so I was planning on using the wiring harness from that. Feel free to ask any clarifying questions!

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Ok, now that we have this thread in the proper section…

In 1995 Ford went from the EEC-IV computer system to the OBD-2 standard. The dash also changed. This is going to greatly complicate your work to swap. Pretty much nothing electrical will be compatible, and it’s all going to need to be swapped over or you will have a ton of splicing and re-wiring to do. Your speedometer cable may not be long enough either. The reason for 90-94 trucks being most ideal for the conversion of older trucks is that they are the most similar and the dash can be easily swapped to simplify things.

Your driveshafts may not work.

The 97 has better axles. The D-28 that was standard for the front axle in 87 will likely not like 4.0 power (I blew apart a well-maintained D-28 twice with my 2.9 in my Choptop before I went 4.0). All of the 4.0 trucks used the D-35 front and 8.8” rear.

Oh yeah, fuel sender will not be compatible too.

 

[spudtruck]

Okay good to know, do you think I could go get a 94 wiring harness and put it on the 97 engine?