I have a 2wd 1999 v6 3.0 ranger and I want to swap a 1997 4wd 5.0 v8 engine from my explorer into. My question is how will the engine being 4wd affect the truck only being 2wd? Will I need to use parts from the explorer to make my ranger 4wd?

 

Welcome to the forum

Engine and computer don't care about 2WD or 4WD
Transmission does

5.0l Explorers use the 4R70W automatic, but in two versions, 2WD and 4WD, not interchangeable nor can you convert one to the other without a full rebuild
So best bet is to find a 2WD 4R70W from a 5.0l OHV engine to use and sell the 4R70W to some one with a 4WD 5.0l vehicle

If you are using a Manual trans then you need a 2WD version as well, the 1997-2003 F-150s with 4.2l V6 will work on the 5.0l OHV engines and handle the V8 power


Just FYI
4WD was never a "bolt on" option in any vehicle, Ford or otherwise
4WD frames are different than 2WD frames, have to be to support/use a front drive axle
So making a 2WD into a 4WD is much more than "bolting on" a front axle

 

Okay thank you. Do you have any recommendations as to where the best place to buy a 2wd 4R70W from a 5.0l OHV engine would be?

 

Best site for used parts is: https://www.car-part.com/

2000
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1996-2001 will work but the later the year the better, since it will have any "updates" Ford added over the years ,2001 was last year for the 5.0l OHV in Explorers
All years would be plug and play


You will have a speedometer issues with a 1997 Ranger V8 swap, this was the last year Rangers used the speedometer cable hook up for VSS(speed) sensor, and 4R70W won't have that
The Explorers use the 4WABS units for speed conversions

Simplest way is to use this: https://www.dakotadigital.com/index....od/prd1192.htm
Its hooked up to the 2 wire rear axle ABS sensor on the Ranger, then to the new computer and cluster, also cruise if so equipped

Ford speedo and computer need 8,000ppm(pulse per mile)
Rear axle ABS sensor puts out 20,000ppm
The SGI-100BT converts the 20k down to 8k
Ford used the GEM for that in 1998-2000 Rangers but 1995-1997 used the old speedo cable hole with VSS added

 

Also I made a mistake in my post the explorer is AWD not 4wd does this affect anything?

 

Technically you're right, but 1980-1996 Ford F150 4x2 and 1980-1983 F100 4x2 are a bolt-in affair since that generation of truck used a twin-traction beam front axle similar to the Ranger, but the mounts were the exact same as the Twin-I-Beams on a 4x2. So essentially, you can unbolt the I beams, and bolt in the separate D44 axle halves in their place. Transmission crossmembers will swap and use the same holes, and the only remaining difference is that the 4x2 trucks used a 2.5" spring back out back, while 4x4 trucks had 3" packs, which makes no difference in the truck's ability to engage 4x4.

The F250/F350 of that generation is a different story and almost nothing bolts up other than the tabs for the brake lines and the transmission crossmember.

Source: I've owned both, and swapped both to 4x4. lol.