I own a 1997 4.0 ohv 4wd. Family friend has a 01 eith the 4.0 sohc. Both have the 5r55e. Would i br able to swap the diffs and transmission with little work or would it be easier to buy a new sohc.(the transmission and diffs are only 2 years old on the 01 and the transmission and diffs in the 97 are going bad.

 

Id pay 300 for the 01 as thats what our local junkyard offered(the 2001 has 4.0l sohc timing chain issues)

 

Welcome to the forum

Yes, you can swap transmissions as long as both engines are 4.0l OHV or SOHC, and both vehicles are 4x4s, 3.0l engine transmission would not work
The 2001 transmission will have 2 extra sensors on the outside that are not needed/used with 1997 computer, so don't need to be plugged in

You need to use your 1997 transfer case as it has the Speed sensor needed in 1997 Rangers, these were no longer used in 1998 and up Rangers, 1997 transfer case will also have correct hook ups for front and rear drive shafts, they were different on 1998 and up

You can swap in the 2001 the rear differential as long as its the same ratio as the 1997's front/rear differentials

You can not easily swap the 2001 front differential into a 1997 as they used different front suspension(coil springs) and mounting
1997 4x4s used TTB(twin traction beam), 1998 and up used SLA(short long arm)

1997 TTB: https://www.therangerstation.com/wp-..._35_header.png
2001 SLA: https://www.therangerstation.com/tec..._sla_front.JPG


To see what front/rear axle ratios each has look on the back edge of drivers door for the Build Label
At the bottom under "AXLE" will be a 2 digit code number
Then look here: https://www.therangerstation.com/tec...ag-door-codes/

If 2001 rear axle has a different ratio than the 1997 then you can NOT use it as is