I got a 1993 ext. Cab 4x4 ranger with the 3.0 auto, trans. And id like to replace the 3.0 with a 4.0, is the swap worth the time involved

 

For most people, probably not. You'd have to swap the transmission while you're there because the bolt pattern doesn't match, and then you have to deal with the computer/sensors/wiring. If you have a donor truck to provide all the parts, no big deal at all. Depending on what you're looking for and how much time/patience you have, at that point you're not all that far from the work involved in a V8 swap.

 

No, not a good swap

Sell the 3.0l Ranger and buy a Factory 4.0l Ranger

Swapping engine sizes is the same work regardless of the size
Engine, transmission, exhaust, cooling
Computer and wiring harness
Interface wiring between computer and vehicle

So Explorer V8 swap would be the same work as the 4.0l, difference is that Ford never made a V8 Ranger, well not many, lol.

The fact Ford made both the 3.0l Ranger and the 4.0l Ranger doesn't mean the swap would be any easier, Ford also made the V8 Explorer