So I have a 2002 2wd 3.0 and want to swap in a better, bigger motor. What is the best donor vehicle to get a 4.0 or 5.0 engine with the minimal amount of modification possible?

 

If your 3.0 is running I wouldn't waste my time and money into a 4.0 swap. It's not gonna be worth all the trouble. The 5.0 swap however is another story. If you wanna do 5.0 swap I'd start 96-01 5.0 Explorer donor vehicle shopping.

 

Yes, ^^^ +1

Go with 5.0l, or sell the 3.0l truck and buy a stock 4.0l truck.

'96/'97 Explorer V8 will not have the PATS anti-theft system which takes away a layer of wiring needed in the swap, but your '01 does have PATS so not that big of a deal since you have the antenna in the steering column already.

As Ricketts said getting a Mercury Mountaineer or Explorer V8 donor vehicle is best way to do it since all needed parts are there