Hello everyone, been much more of a lurker than a poster but felt it was time to get in on the fun. I bought an 02 ranger edge awhile back with a 3.0 and a bad transmission. Time got the best of me and I didn't get around to fixing it but just yesterday I came along a great deal and bought it before any research. After trying to do some research I've come up with a thousand different answers so I was hoping for some help here. I picked up a running 98 explorer with a 4.0 sohc and working transmission. Everything is there and I now have it sitting next to my ranger. I want to swap the engine and trans into my ranger but I'm not sure about how well everything matches up. If anyone has any experience or knowledge about it or knows of a thread about it that would be great!! Thanks everyone for the help.

 

Welcome to the forum

No, you won't find much info on that swap.

Reason being it is not a good swap for time and effort

It is the same work as swapping in a V8 only you don't get the benefit of a V8, just the same work, lol.
On paper the 4.0l SOHC shows similar power as 5.0l V8, but only on paper, lol, SOHC actually runs about 180HP, 5.0l 210HP and much more torque

But it is your time and effort so why not
1997 to 2004 4.0l SOHC engines need new timing chains so do that when engine is out, you can only do it when engine is out.
Also new rear main seal, thermostat and thermostat housing(they cracked and leaked)
New Knock sensor(wires broke on these)


You need the explorer computer and wiring harness(engine and trans) also the PATS Keys for the explorer and PATS module above Glove Box.
'98 and '02 used different type of PATS but as long as you have the WORKING explorer keys you should be fine.
You will need to have your ignition key cylinder re-keyed for explore keys, or better, is to have your Ranger keys added to explorer PATS system, costs more but then key works in doors as well as ignition

I assume the 2002 Ranger is an automatic like the explorer, or you will also need to swap steering columns

The motor mounts will be different but '02 Ranger should have holes for 4.0l SOHC mounts in the frame as that model engine was offered in '02.

Certainly not plug and play, only another 3.0l and trans would be plug and play.
Just alot of work

 

Thanks for the response. I understand that there was a lot of people who would just say to do the 5.0 swap and I understand that. But I got the whole explorer for 50 bucks and I had originally just bought it for the trans before I realized that they don't match up yet (still not 100% on that).

So now I have a perfectly good running 4.0 engine and trans and I figured why not just swap it all into there and really not even cost all that much if it's possible. I'm thinking the thing that i'm going to have the most problems with will be the PATS system as I haven't done too much research into that yet.

I'm glad you mentioned those things needing to be replaced as I have been looking as to what should be looked at/replaced while the engine is out. It's mainly just going to be a lot of time spent doing this but i'm looking forward to it.

Thanks for all the help.

 

No, the 4.0l transmission can't be bolted to 3.0l, also different models, 5R55E and 5R44E

I get the desire for the swap but I would look at selling the running 4.0l SOHC and trans and use that money for a 3.0l 5R44E trans or rebuild.

PATS has 3 parts on the 1998, Type B
Wand/transceiver-this is a metal ring around the ignition key slot
PATS Module, above glove box
PCM, computer that runs engine and trans

2002 just has 2 parts, the PATS Module was inside/built-in to the '02 PCM/computer, Type E

So Wand hooks to PATS module
When key is turned on PATS Module powers up and "reads" the ID number in the PATS key, thats what Wand is for.
PATS Module will have 2 to 4 Key ID Numbers in memory from factory programming, i.e. factory keys it came with
If it finds a match then PATS module sends a one time, "OK to Start" code to PCM
PCM then turns on fuel pump and allows fuel injectors to operate

No code/incorrect code = no start
Code number changes each startup, so no way to hack it, it uses RSA encryption, if you care, lol.
PATS is not used again until key is turned off and then back on, so once engine is running PATS has no effect on operation, it can't suddenly "kill the engine"

Your '02 ranger will have the wand already you just need to connect those wires to the PATS Module, the wiring between module and PCM will be part of the wiring harness you will be using

You can add more PATS keys to any PATS system, but only if you have TWO working PATS keys, add a 3rd or 4th PATS key yourself
If you only have 1 PATS key then you need a Locksmith with Ford software(or a Ford Dealer) to add more keys, keys can only be added while system is IN the vehicle, you can't take parts in to have keys added

 

I was under the understanding that my 3.0 had the 5r55e because I typed the vin into ford and it said it had that and also the door stamp was transmission D which from everything I've read is a 5r55e. What I missed was that they still had a different bellhousing.

 

5R55E was only used with 4.0l engines

4R = 4 speed
5R = 5 speed

5R44E or 55E use same trans code "D"
A4LD and 4R used trans code "T"

If you have a 4cyl or 3.0l then it is always 44E
4.0l 55E

Not that any of that matters just information

5R44E was used for 3.0l from 2001 to 2008

 

A lot of people say that yes but I also heard where people had a 55e on their 3.0 trucks and when I typed in the vin on fordparts.com it said it had the 5r55e in it. Although since there is no code in the vin that says that I'm still not sure how it would know but if you put in other vins it will say 44e for other 3.0 rangers... I also didn't come along where the trans code D was for both transmissions but once again I'm definitely no expert. Thanks

 

Yes, I get it, even Ford will say there is a 55E in it, there isn't, it was a 44E

One is not better than the other, the 55E's just have a few different parts for the 4.0l's higher torque

And if you get an actual 5R55E it will not bolt to a 3.0l engine, only a 4.0l engine
5R55E only came with 4.0l bell housings
5R44E came with either 4cyl or 3.0l bell housings

Ford, Transmission shops, Mechanics and pretty much anyone else will use 55E as generic model number for Rangers, mostly on the 5Rs since 55E reads more like 5-speed, lol
4R seem to be listed as 4R44E more often than the 5R