Hey guys, I wanted to see if any of you have swapped a 2.3l out with a 4.0l before. Any tips that you can give me would be great. I have a 1996 with a blown 2.3l and a 5 speed standard. I'd like to swap it out with something more powerful, and keep the standard transmission and RWD.

 

Would be better to swap in a 302(5.0l) V8, same work better results

To change engine size you have to swap engine AND transmission, also Computer and engine wiring harness
Your 2.3l trans can't bolt to any other engine except another 2.3l, same for all other manual transmissions 1988 and up, must match engine size to fit
3.0l trans won't bolt to a 4.0l engine or visa versa, or a 5.0l or 2.3l

So 4.0l or 5.0l is the same work, no benefit that the 4.0l is a Ranger model, 5.0l Explorer fits nicely since they had same engine bay size as Rangers 1996 thru 2001

You would want a 1995-1997 to match fuel system, but 1998-2000 will also work, 1998 and up have PATS so...............extra layer of work

 

Are there any kits that I will need in order to swap the engine to a 5.0?

 

No, not really

Most people buy a rusted out or otherwise damaged 1996-2001 V8 Explorer, it has most of the parts you will need

Good article to read thru here: https://www.therangerstation.com/tec...-ford-rangers/

For Manual trans look at M5R2 model from a 1997 to 2003 F-150 with 4.2L V6
The 4.2l V6 engine in these years has the same bolt pattern as the 5.0l(302) engines
M5R2 is the larger version of the Rangers M5R1, its made for V8 power
And its shifter comes up thru the floor at the same place as M5R1 so good fit