Hello everyone, I am a long time stalker of these forums, and am just getting to the point where I can do something significant. I have the 1995 extended cab with the 4.0L engine and 4WD. I really like the truck for looks, stability, and utility, but I really have no love at all for the engine. It seems a bit on the whimpy side (for a 4.0) and I get 14 MPG if I am lucky. I really would like to put a V-8 in it and have wanted to for a long time. Some people tell me to "go buy a real truck" or that it is not worth it, but it is to me. I really want to accomplish this and drive something I have put work into making awesome!

I do want a V-8, but I really don't have the time/money to build this from the ground up. I have been researching, and it seams like the easiest/surest to work solution is to find a wrecked 1996 - 2001 explorer with the 302 and pull out the tranny and engine as a pair. (I have heard the 4R55 in my ranger is okay, but that the explorer has a much stronger one + more gears) The advantage I see is that I don't have to get a special ECM, I don't have to worry about mating a tranny and engine that weren't made for each other, and that the engine mounts in the ranger can be used (with some modification to the engine?) as well as radiator, alternator etc.

Basically I am looking for something that will at least get me over 20 MPG (I heard that is doable with this engine in a ranger) as well as enough engine power and transmission strength to pull my '18 boat (I will address braking later as well). Suggestions are much welcomed and appreciated, and realize this is something I really want to do. Thank you!

 

I believe for your year you should actually use the previous gens v8 expo drivetrain.

Mine is a 2000 so I pulled my drivetrain from a 1999 expo. Google the ranger station tech section, they have some good write ups for you.

 

Can't really offer any advice on the swap but if nothing else do it to spite the "go buy a real truck" full size crowd

 

If for nothing else, I want to do this out of spite and a sense of adventure!

Anywho, I found a swap on therangerstation Here where a guy put a 96 into a 96. Looking at his build there is very little that needs tweaking and all within my capability. My ranger is a 95, but it was a late model 95(I think), as it has a full working OBD-2 system. I want to pull it out of a mid to late year 1997, and here is why:
- In 1997 they put the 5R55E transmission in the explorers, giving me an extra gear and the availability of better economy.
-1997 is the year they started putting the higher performance heads on the V-8s. I like 215 over my current 160ish :)
-1997 is the year before they started using RFID keys. I dont want RFID keys...
-Looking at additional purchases this swap has fairly few. I need: mustang oil pan, remote oil filter kit, electric fans, a drive shaft adapter, and a line re-crimped.

Is there anything I am missing? Were there any changes between the 96-97 that may cause me significant problems? I know the tranny is different, but it is supposed to be mainly changes in sensors and controls to my understanding.