How to swap a 2000 Explorer 4.0 sohc into a 01 ranger 4x4
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From: Forest city N.C.
How to swap a 2000 Explorer 4.0 sohc into a 01 ranger Fx4 4x4
I have an 01fx4 4x4 ranger single cab I was using for parts to fix my wife’s ranger and I’m not generally a ford man but after investing all those hours into the truck and wondering what the hell these engineers were thinking I have decided to take the remains of the 01 and put a 4.0 sohc in it. Now I have a 2000 model Ford Explorer 2wd with an sohc in it and I need some advice on what all I need to do to put it in my Fx4 4x4 ranger. I’m used to working on my 93 f150 and this is all very new and confusing to me so any advice is very welcome thank you
Last edited by kentcraig11493; May 12, 2018 at 01:37 AM.
Welcome to the forum
2002 was first year of FX4 option for Rangers
2001 XLT did have premium Off-Road package option which was essentially an FX4
But in any case, the 1997 to 2003 4.0l SOHC engines had a bad timing chain setup, so that will need to be changed regardless when the engine is out, the new "kit" will come with 4 chains(4x4 used 4 chains) and guides and the new tensioners which were the original problem, 2004 and up had these newer designs so no longer an issue.
Also change rear main seal, just because.
2001 Ranger would also have come with 4.0l SOHC not the 4.0l OHV, but you don't mention 2001's engine size?
If its a 3.0l then you will need transmission for the 4.0l as 3.0l trans won't bolt up to 4.0l SOHC engine.
Explorer trans can be used if you want an automatic.
If you want a manual trans then M5OD-R1 from a 1990 to 2012 4x4 4.0l Ranger will work.
Use your current transfer case, it has correct speed sensor, and will bolt to auto or manual 4x4 transmission
You need a 4.0l SOHC computer and engine wiring harness, explorer computer and harness will work but........it will be for an automatic so won't work well with manual trans.
1999 and up Ranger would have PATS(passive anti-theft system) as will Explorer.
This means you need correct PATS keys for the computer you use, so the explorer keys if you use that computer.
You can have explorer computer changed to manual use, delete automatics software, and delete PATS at the same time.
If 2001 Ranger doesn't have a 4.0l SOHC engine then this swap would be a "labor of love" not a practical swap.
Swapping engine sizes requires exactly the same work regardless of engine size.
So swapping in a V8 takes the same effort as swapping in a 4cyl or V6.
Engine, trans, computer and wiring, plus bits and pieces, i.e. exhaust changes, cooling system, drive shafts, ect............
And you can go out and buy a stock 4.0l SOHC Ranger, but you can't buy a stock V8 Ranger, because they never made one
2002 was first year of FX4 option for Rangers
2001 XLT did have premium Off-Road package option which was essentially an FX4
But in any case, the 1997 to 2003 4.0l SOHC engines had a bad timing chain setup, so that will need to be changed regardless when the engine is out, the new "kit" will come with 4 chains(4x4 used 4 chains) and guides and the new tensioners which were the original problem, 2004 and up had these newer designs so no longer an issue.
Also change rear main seal, just because.
2001 Ranger would also have come with 4.0l SOHC not the 4.0l OHV, but you don't mention 2001's engine size?
If its a 3.0l then you will need transmission for the 4.0l as 3.0l trans won't bolt up to 4.0l SOHC engine.
Explorer trans can be used if you want an automatic.
If you want a manual trans then M5OD-R1 from a 1990 to 2012 4x4 4.0l Ranger will work.
Use your current transfer case, it has correct speed sensor, and will bolt to auto or manual 4x4 transmission
You need a 4.0l SOHC computer and engine wiring harness, explorer computer and harness will work but........it will be for an automatic so won't work well with manual trans.
1999 and up Ranger would have PATS(passive anti-theft system) as will Explorer.
This means you need correct PATS keys for the computer you use, so the explorer keys if you use that computer.
You can have explorer computer changed to manual use, delete automatics software, and delete PATS at the same time.
If 2001 Ranger doesn't have a 4.0l SOHC engine then this swap would be a "labor of love" not a practical swap.
Swapping engine sizes requires exactly the same work regardless of engine size.
So swapping in a V8 takes the same effort as swapping in a 4cyl or V6.
Engine, trans, computer and wiring, plus bits and pieces, i.e. exhaust changes, cooling system, drive shafts, ect............
And you can go out and buy a stock 4.0l SOHC Ranger, but you can't buy a stock V8 Ranger, because they never made one
Last edited by RonD; May 12, 2018 at 09:43 AM.
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From: Forest city N.C.
Ok thank you for the info it is very helpful now the 01 ranger originally had the 4.0 sohc in it but the previous owner blew the motor dropped a 3.0 and trans in it and decided he wasn’t going to use a 3.0 wiring harness and butchered the sohc harness trying to rig it and make it work I still have the original trans but I’m not sure if it will hook up the the explorer sohc or if I should just use the one in the explorer, my only other questions are besides getting the correct harness for the motor what should I pull from inside the explorer since I have no idea if the computer is the original one in the ranger or if the previous owner put in the one for the engine he tried to drop in it again thanks for all the information
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From: Forest city N.C.
I just took a look at my title I misread it is an 2002 Fx4 and it is an auto and I looked over the last bit of your info for me so disregard my last questions as you awnsered them already would I need the ignition switch ?
Last edited by kentcraig11493; May 12, 2018 at 11:31 AM.
2002 FX4 is a rare model, it is an FX4 LEVEL II , Ford just didn't use that designation until 2003, when they had FX4 Off-Road, and the full load FX4 Level II
Too bad PO did that swap, probably pissed off about the timing chains.
On the dash there will be a THEFT light, when key is off doors closed it should flash every few seconds, thats the PATS system.
If you haven't seen that then it has a pre-1999 computer, and it would be 3.0l computer not original 4.0l computer, assuming it ran.
2000 Explorer will have Type B PATS that means it has a separate PATS module above the glove box that connects to Key cylinder and Computer.
Good read here on that swap: https://www.ranger-forums.com/8-cyli...llation-48794/
PATS module and Computer are "married" so you can't swap computers or modules they must stay together.
You you turn on the key the "key wand" reads the unique PATS ID number embedded inside the PATS key
The number is sent to PATS module, PATS module compares that number to a list of 3 or 4 keys it was program with at the factory(you can add more keys)
If a match is found the PATS module sends a unique data string to Computer, that tells computer its OK to start Fuel Pump and Fuel injectors.
This all happens in under 1 second
The unique data string PATS module sends to computer changes each time key is turned on, so can't be "captured" and reused by car thief.
And thats the "married" part, they share an encryption key, RSA type setup, very secure.
Too bad PO did that swap, probably pissed off about the timing chains.
On the dash there will be a THEFT light, when key is off doors closed it should flash every few seconds, thats the PATS system.
If you haven't seen that then it has a pre-1999 computer, and it would be 3.0l computer not original 4.0l computer, assuming it ran.
2000 Explorer will have Type B PATS that means it has a separate PATS module above the glove box that connects to Key cylinder and Computer.
Good read here on that swap: https://www.ranger-forums.com/8-cyli...llation-48794/
PATS module and Computer are "married" so you can't swap computers or modules they must stay together.
You you turn on the key the "key wand" reads the unique PATS ID number embedded inside the PATS key
The number is sent to PATS module, PATS module compares that number to a list of 3 or 4 keys it was program with at the factory(you can add more keys)
If a match is found the PATS module sends a unique data string to Computer, that tells computer its OK to start Fuel Pump and Fuel injectors.
This all happens in under 1 second
The unique data string PATS module sends to computer changes each time key is turned on, so can't be "captured" and reused by car thief.
And thats the "married" part, they share an encryption key, RSA type setup, very secure.
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From: Forest city N.C.
I checked the numbers on the inside of the door the trans that was originally in it belonged to an sohc and it came separately with the truck so I’m not to worried about putting one back into it and I had a stroke of luck today I found a Mazda b3000 06 model at the junkyard today it has the motor harness trans fuse box and computer still in tack could I possibly make all that work in my ranger?
Look up your VIN number here: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech...IN_Codes.shtml
8th digit will tell you what size the stock engine size was, just to be sure
U - 3.0-Liter 6-Cylinder gasoline only
V - 3.0-Liter 6-Cylinder Flex Fuel
E - 4.0-Liter 6-Cylinder - SOHC
Not sure where you are going with the 3.0l engine/trans, computer and harness???
If there is an older 3.0l in truck now then the newer '06 3.0l harness won't be an exact match, you would have to change some wiring connections and connectors
And yes you would need that computers working PATS keys
8th digit will tell you what size the stock engine size was, just to be sure
U - 3.0-Liter 6-Cylinder gasoline only
V - 3.0-Liter 6-Cylinder Flex Fuel
E - 4.0-Liter 6-Cylinder - SOHC
Not sure where you are going with the 3.0l engine/trans, computer and harness???
If there is an older 3.0l in truck now then the newer '06 3.0l harness won't be an exact match, you would have to change some wiring connections and connectors
And yes you would need that computers working PATS keys
Last edited by RonD; May 13, 2018 at 10:26 AM.
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From: Forest city N.C.
I checked the vin it was an original 4.0 I already took the 3.0 and trans out the wiring harness is still a 4.0 but the po destroyed it by trying to make it work for the 3.0 but I just gutted a Mazda this morning so I want to put all that in the fx4
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From: Forest city N.C.
RonD ive run into a problem the truck is a 4x4 but the motor from the explorer is 2wd what is my next step, I’m mainly concerned about the timing chain and balace shaft
Last edited by kentcraig11493; May 21, 2018 at 09:59 PM.
In 2001 Rangers all got Live Axles, so front drive shaft was always spinning when truck was moving.
Engineers thought running a balancer shaft in the 4.0l would off-set any vibrating caused by the Live Axle change, I think AWD 4.0l Explorers got same balancer shaft
But...........they didn't do that with 3.0l engines in same Live Axle Rangers??
Or the V8s in Explorers??
So not a concern, no negative reports in using a 2WD 4.0l SOHC in a 4x4 Ranger.
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