I have a 2002 ranger edge 4.0 4x4 one of the timing chains is going bad. I have been told it would be easier to just do an engine swap. I have also been told I could put a 5.0 in my truck and it would bolt right in. But will this require a lot of work what all would I have to do trans and rear end or no or just fix the timing chains just needing some advice on the best and cheapest route to go with this

 

Welcome to the forum

You have a 4.0l SOHC engine in a 2002 Ranger

Yes, the 1997 to 2004 4.0l SOHC engines did have timing chain tensioner issues, which caused guides to break and chains to rattle.

The newer design tensioners and cassettes(guides and chains) have been fine, they started to install theses in 2003/4 at the factory, so problem was fixed.

To swap an engine you have to pull current engine out and put the other engine back in
To install the new timing chains you have to pull the engine out and put it back in.
So that part will cost the same and take the time it takes, shouldn't effect the decision

So look at the cost of new timing chains vs the cost of another engine

And if it is a "used" engine, you could be buying other problems, warranty doesn't cover installation or removal.
Rebuilt engine has the same warranty, free replacement but no reimbursement for labor

Fixing your current engine, in my opinion, is less costly and you know the rest of the engine is good, I assume.
And with new design no more timing chain issues

V8 is not plug and play in a Ranger
You need the V8 engine and transmission with transfer case, can't use Ranger trans and transfer case it won't bolt to V8 block
Also need the V8 engine wiring harness and computer to run the V8, V6 computer, of course, can't operate a V8
And exhaust changes and drive shaft changes

So "bolt right in" is leaving out a bit of labor and cost, lol.
It has been done many times, just not as simple as you were led to believe

 

I would suggest just doing the timing chains.
Look at it this way, you buy a used engine, it will probably need chains and guides in the future. So you should do them while its out.
Or pull and engine you know the history of, and just do the chains on it.

That said, with all the room under the hood of these, why the hell do you need to pull the motor?

 

Rear timing chain requires engine removal to change
And rear chain is usually the one that rattles first

 

Ah, I was unaware there was a rear chain. That seems like a bad design. lol

 

I knew there was going to be a lot of work to swap an engine just didn’t know if it would be worth the headache in the long run since the engine has to be pulled anyways but after careful consideration with the wife I have decided to send it to a shop and just fix it it’s beyond my mechanical abilities to do the timing chains

 

Should be about 8-10 hours labor to remove and replace an engine

2-3 hours for timing chains, 4x4 often has 4 chains, 4th chain is for a balancer shaft used to counter-act vibration from front driveshaft rotation which is always rotating in 2001 and up Rangers
This 4th chain was never an issue so changing it is YOUR choice, I would ask the shop to just leave it and used the 3 chain kit, which comes with new tensioners and cassettes

You should also ask them to install a new Knock Sensor, not expensive but hard to get at after engine is put back together, and the wires on these did break.

Also new rear main seal but most shop just do this automatically.

Have them check thermostat housing, these tended to crack and leak on this model engine, and replace thermostat in any case