Hi.

I'm here to ask about my 2004 Ford Ranger 2.3L 5-Speed

My current engine just called it quits on me and I'm looking to do a swap with a few friends. So, what could I throw inside of my truck? What years are compatible? I'd love something with more power because I'm tired of barely being able to pass a mini-van on the highway lol.

So is it possible to drop a V6 4.0L in it? Or would it blow the rear end or is incompatible with my current transmission? I'm completely ok with putting a new 2.3L in it again because I'm looking at getting this thing back on the road as soon as possible I'm just curious as to what is compatible with my truck and if it's possible to put something in it that has more power.

Any suggestions or advice is greatly appreciated. This is my first ranger. Thanks!!!

 

The old 4.0l OHV, popular swap, only had 160HP, your 2.3l Duratec had 144HP, so not a good swap

Ford switched Rangers(1983-2000) from the Lima family of engines 2.0/2.3/2.5, 4 cylinder 119HP, to the Duratec 4 cylinder in 2001, first the 2.3l(2001-2010) then the 2.5l(2011-up)
Lima and Duratec engines are not related in any way, so you don't get confused when looking at engine info posts.

Swapping to a different size engine always requires swapping engine wiring harness and computer, Ford added PATS(passive anti-theft) to the Ranger computers in 1998 so that adds another layer of complications.
And yes, 4cyl trans may not fit or last with more torque from a larger engine, same with axles.

IMO, your best bet is to find a low mile 2.3l duratec engine and put that in.
Put vehicle up for sale and buy another Ranger with a 4.0l SOHC engine 207HP

 

Great! Thanks a lot.

It has rear end body damage so it's not likely I'll get much for a re-sale so i'm going to drop another 2.3L into it and just keep it as my daily drive. Even though I'd love a 4.0L 4x4

 

my 2004 2.3 l engine went after 265,000 miles. Otherwise the truck is good So far I have found and now own two other rangers, one with a good 4.0 and the other a 3.0 in an automatic with only 100,000 miles. I do not want install either of these but sell them or exchange them for the 2.3 I need and liked Bill

 

Well, all the dates I see listed seem to be ancient history but then, so am i.
I'm having the same problem as "Little Beauty".
My 2004 Ford Ranger, 2.3 ltr DOHC with 5 speed transmission has finally gave up and I have lost #3 cylinder.
I don't get these people that are looking for more horse power. For 16 years, this little truck has smoked most big block engines on the start and short run.
She would always just seem to be smoothing out and easing into the long run when the computer would cut her out at 92.5 mph. I always wanted to see what she woushedo if I could break past that barrier. Now, that day has passed.
I'm from another time, I learned my mechanics on my hotrod of the 60's.
These were the true Ford Mustangs. I had several 66's and a couple 69's. Engines included the 289 HP (my favorite), 302 Boss, and the 351 Windsor and Cleveland. Yep, those were the days and no computers. A handful of wires and a couple vacume hoses and you and the car to make the decisions.
Well, getting lost in the past.
I want to find the same engine to go back in my baby. I have read what has already been on this post and it has clarified some of the things I needed to know.
I guess my biggest problem is that my wife and I are old, elderly, soon to be pushing up daisy's and have little money to spend so I need to make a wise choice on a used engine.
Any advise you can offer would greatly be appreciated.

 

Welcome to the forum

2004 2.3l Duratec will be most easily swapped with a 2004 to 2011 2.3l Duratec from Ranger or Mazda B2300

There are Mobile Mechanics in most areas that can do the "heavy lifting" and crawling around at your location

 

Thank you. That narrows the search. I've already been looking based on advise you have given others.
I am hoping that I find a lower price as they seem to be in the $1700 - 2k range. Because we're on a fixed income, I took out a loan for this Friday. Unfortunately, I started without your advise and had estimated what I needed to borrow according to prices I had seen on later 90's 2.3 engines. Too late now but I do know now that those wont work.
Now, as far as hiring someone to do the labor. My wife got a laugh from that. I still work. I am a welder, a machinist and hydraulic specialist for ProTire in Chattanooga.
I specialize in building 200 ton presses that are able to press a solid rubber tire the size of my Ranger on a wheel at the same time as it forces the old one off.
My presses are all steel and up to 2" thick in some parts. i move that material around by hand mostly but do have a crane and a lift. I'll attach a photo if I can.
I said I was old, not dead (yet). I also build custom wheels. As far as the fixed income, this is my retirement job, my professional career is over and this job offers no opportunity to increase my pay.
My wife is disabled so her income is only for that.
Now having all my work equipment at my disposal, I could put anything in it, I just want to keep it simple.
You've helped a lot. Keep up the good work and I'll join in as time goes on.
Thanks so much.
Tony


A press

 

i got the ranger ecm to run the 60-2 wheel used on the focus model of 2.3s and the fusion/escape 2.5s, the 2.5s with the cam phaser removed should net you about 170hp and 165lbs tq or you can advance the intake cam to have a 170lb tq and 155 hp rating, can buy a 2.5 DTec for about 2 to 500 bucks running, and you will need to change oil pans, delete the balance shaft and use a oil plug kit and finally if you stick with the phaser would extend the EGR harness to the phaser to control phasing with my tune and remove the egr but if your in a location that emissions tests then you will have to remove the phaser and lock timing out with a normal set of timing gears, my 2.7 stroker if im easy on her runs 15:1 afr and avgs around roughly 42mpg on 86 pump gas, but thats at 55 mph, and broken in, the 4.0 sohc is good but has the weak link in the timing setup make sure to replace timing equipment before installing, all ford escape 2.5 i4s came with a forged crank per my dealership manual and hands on experience

 

01.5 to 03 2.3s came with imrc and an electric thermostat 04 up is a mech tstat and no imrc everything exchanges over with ease, the 2.5 also improves on the 2.3 design with better machining and seals expect about 33mpg with a 2.5 and 28 with a 2.3