I have an 05 FX4 with the 3.0L 5 speed trans and I'm wanting to swap it with either a bigger V6 like the 4.0 or total engine and transmission swap to a V8. I heard it's easier to go with the 5.0 than the 4.6. Any input on this? What else would need to be swapped out for this if I were to go with V8 and would I have to swap motor mounts if I were to go with, say the 4.0 and would my trans be compatible and hold up?

 

3.0l trans won't work with either 4.0l or 5.0l, only another 3.0l Vulcan engine, won't physically bolt up, so swap is the same for either, engine/trans and computer with wiring harness.

Since you can go out and buy a 4.0l Ranger swapping in a 4.0l doesn't make alot of sense.
Selling the 3.0l Ranger and using that money to buy a 4.0l Ranger is much cheaper and less work.

4.6l is much wider(29") and taller(28") than 5.0l(19"w x 21"tall) or even a 351w V8 so wouldn't fit in Ranger engine bay without extreme modification.

5.0l swap can be worthwhile since you can't buy one, well if you look around you can often find them for sale and that is often cheaper than doing it yourself.

But if you plan on keeping it a long time then the 5.0l swap can be a labor of love.

Because of your year, 2005, you will run into a few electronic issues, and may need to swap out the dash and wiring as well, the computer runs most gauges and when you change computers..................there in lies the problem with the later models.

Good read here on what is needed to start with: MudSlanger's Explorer 5.0 Swap In A 2000 Ford Ranger

There are always year specific issues that can't be dealt with until encountered.

If you have emissions testing in your area then that adds a complication as well, when changing engine size it needs to be same year or newer engine, and it must meet that years emission levels, you often also end up with a title change, "rebuilt" or "salvage" to denote changes were made and VIN no longer matches, VIN has engine size in it.

 

I am wanting to keep the ranger as the body frame and suspension are in excellent shape. This will make ranger #5 for me and very happy with it. I don't have a problem with going anywhere I want in it and it's just an all around great truck I've had 3 99's and 1 90. I understand that there will be work in my future to get it where I want it but I've got my idea the way I want it and I would love to swap it with the V8 and the 4.0 swap I though as well would be pointless. I've ran across a few 5.0's with less than 100,000 miles. I've seen them with the 5.0 but not as new as mine.

 

Thanks for that link I'm going to do a little digging around and pricing on the swap and I'll post the average price I come up with.

 

Yes, when you get past 2002/3 model year you start getting into full electronic dashboards, they have a microprocessor inside.
They got rid of the GEM but replaced it with Smart Junction Box which can be as much of a pain as GEM.

It can all be dealt with, just adds extra layers.

Just as a heads up for trans/transfercase.

In 1997 F-150 came with the new 4.2l V6, which just happens to have the same bolt pattern as 5.0l for trans.
And in 1997 they moved the Manual trans M5OD-R2 shifter back a bit, so matches Rangers M5OD-R1 location.
So the 4x4 M5OD-R2 with transfer case from a 1997 to about 2006 F-150 4.2l is a good choice, same trans and transfer case were used on the V8 models for those years, so it can take the power and while a tight squeeze it does fit between frame rails.
There were some manual shift transfer cases in those years as well but hard to find like any years after 1980, lol.