First time posting on the forum, hope I'm posting to the right place. I have recently acquired two rangers, both 2.3L 5sp, one 2003 one 2005. The 2003 has 350K mi and a blown head gasket, the 2005 has a badly rotted frame, but a good drivetrain with 95k miles. My plan is to swap the 2005's engine into the 2003. Based on what I have read I know the intakes and thermostats are different, I'll be keeping the 2003 intake and use the 2005's thermostat while leave the 2003 thermostat plugged in. The engine is gonna be coming out with an engine hoist and I'm gonna keep using the 350k trans since it recently got a clutch and clutch slave. If there is any maintenance items I should do to the 95K motor while its out please let me know, its gonna be my first engine swap so any advice or things to look out for either general or specific is helpful. Thanks

 

Welcome to the forum

Yes, that will work with the changes you stated
I would change the PCV valve, and rear main seal, not expensive parts but hard to get to
Also the rear coolant line/fitting on the back of the head, its hard to get to when engine is in place and these often leak over time

When you lift an engine out almost all the weight on the front springs is removed so the front of the vehicle will come up quite high, often TOO HIGH, lol, so hoist won't lift engine high enough to clear the body
Be prepared to remove front wheels to lower the body, or make sure you have enough travel on the lift, use shortest straps/chains you can on the engine

 

Thanks for the tips, would have been annoying to realize the engine clearance issue as I was trying to get it out.