I want to swap my engine and trans in my 96 ford ranger 2wd to a 4.6 or 5.0. What year engine and trans would be good for swap and would be easy to swap

 

Can't used a 4.6l in Ranger easily its too wide, 90deg V with over head cams are just too wide, the 4.0l SOHC fit because it's a 60deg V engine

The 5.0l(302) OHVs fit, barely, they are just 19" wide
Best years are 1996/7 Explorer V8 models, no PATS(anti-theft), but 1998-2001 can be used as well, just a few extra wires for PATS
You want to buy the whole vehicle, a 1996 to 2001 Explorer V8, because you need alot of the extra parts, like exhaust
Can't use Ranger transmissions
If you want an automatic then get a 2WD Explorer V8, all V8 models were automatics, a 4WD trans won't work for you
If you want a manual trans then get a 2WD or 4WD Explorer V8 because you won't need the transmission and you can sell it
For manual trans you need an M5OD-R2(M5R2) model from a 1997 to 2003 F-150 with a 4.2l V6 engine, 2WD, the 4.2l V6 uses the same bell housing pattern as the 5.0l(302)