any suggetions or comments on how or where i could go 2 get the info 2 do this engine swap from a 2.9l to a 4.0l????????

 

its possible and one of the easiest to do... what tranny do you have now A4LD auto?

 

For good info on that swap go to therangerstation.com lots of good info on early rangers like ours most on this board deal with newer than 98 rangers

 

If you dont mind me asking. Why 4.0?

 

considering they did come with a 4.0, it wouldnt be hard

 

The question no one has asked is do you want the older OHV 4.0 or the newer SOHC 4.0? The OHV would be the easier swap but has less HP than the SOHC. TQ ratings are similar between the two 4.0s so the OHV would still be a good choice

Specs:
Engine/Max HP/Max TQ
2.9 / 140 @ 4600rpm / 170 @ 2600rpm
4.0 OHV 1990-1991 / 155 @ 4200rpm / 220 @ 2400rpm
4.0 OHV 1992-1996 / 160 @ 4200rpm / 220 @ 2400rpm
4.0 OHV 1997- / 160 @ 4200rpm / 225 @ 2800rpm
4.0 SOHC 2001-2004 / 207 @ 5250rpm / 238 @ 3000rpm


Link to TRS Tech Library on 4.0 swap:
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech...onversion.html

 

but with talking to my ford mechanic friends the ohv is alot more reliable and a better built engine. the newer 4.0s arent nearly as good as the older ones

 

OHV are simpler designs with less parts. They are also not high reving engines. You can see the HP output on the OHV vs the SOHC. The OHV (though lower HP) generates its max HP 1,000 RPMs lower than the SOHC. More importanly (in terms of offroad and driveability) it generates nearly the same max TQ at a slightly lower RPM.
Lower RPMs is going to play a role in longevity and reliability. Look at diesels. Though on a different combustion cycle (Diesel vs Otto), they do their work at low RPMs and last a lot longer.

Sidenote: You hot-rod 3.0 guys...haha I know it's hard not to laugh when saying that, but anyway, you wanna keep those RPMs down...there's a reason there's a 6k redline and a governor set from the factory.

 

the 4.0 did not come out till the year 1990 the 88 ranger never had a 4.0 this will make the wireing more difficult then newer years but still a doable project. the best motor for the selection is an explorer 91-94 or a ranger 90 threw 92

 

well anything is possible with some work, but you would have to get the full wireing system from a newer ranger

 

I believe I have the mazda 5speed

 

How much harder can the SOHC really be ? For 40 hp if its not too much more of a PITA I think I would do the SOHC. I don't know if you have to do more fab work or something maybe its not worth it. Well there is also the cost also, if the cost of a SOHC is close to the price of an OHV the extra 40 might be worth the extra money.

 

I'm using a lot of parts from a OHV Ranger for my SOHC swap so I wouldn't imagine the OHV swap is much different than a SOHC swap...I hope you like electrical stuff though...

 

Past the year 92 for ranger and 94 for explorer the computer is in the motor bay not in the kick pannel as the earlyer ones trying to merge all that new electronics with that old of truck would be hard besides you can pick up a junk explorer for around 200 with all the parts you would need.

 

Ben, Ben, Ben...
you are forgetting one little thing:

HP sells cars. TQ wins races!

haha. now i aint sayin an OHV will take down a SOHC b/c well idk if it would or not. but going that far for another 40HP and no TQ gain doesn't make too much sense. You might as well go for a 5.0 at that point.

 

you could also consider swapping a 302 if your set on a motor swap