Hi all. This is my first technical post on here. I have a 2003 Ranger XLT 4x4 4.0 with 170k on it. I blew my timing chain and dont know exactly what all damage it could have caused and I'm not really wanting to find out. I'm either faced with trying to sell it like it is, which isn't seeming promising, or taking on a motor swap myself. I've never done anything as big as a swap, I've done mechanical work on my other vehicles (exhaust, suspension, brakes, water pumps, etc.) So I have a few questions:

How difficult would doing a 4.0 to 4.0 swap be?

What 4.0 engine should I look for?

Will I need to do improvements to the year engine that is most compatable to my truck?

The truck is only worth about $4k, and I'm not neccessarily attached or in dire need for it so what would you do if you were in my shoes?

Thanks

 

Interesting seeing your post, i too am having some engine trouble with my 03 4.0. Starting to get some weird rattling noises from it even though i changed out the chain tensioners. I haven't taken on a swap yet either but looking into it currently. It all depends on how much time you have and how much you enjoy mechanics. I'd imagine doing a first swap will be fustrating and take more time as for unfamiliarity. Do you have a good place to do the swap, tools, etc and do you enjoy spending a lot of time wrenching?

Hopefully others will chime in.

 

Welcome to the forum

I think you may be jumping the gun a bit on a new engine.

Yes, the 4.0l SOHC engine does need to come out to change the rear timing chain.

So why not just put in another engine?

Because spending a $1,000 or spending $3,000 is a $2,000 difference, lol.

In either case you will need a dry place to do the work and you will need an engine hoist and engine stand.
And you will need to pull an engine out and put an engine back in.
So all this is the same.

So real decision needs to be based on current engine damage vs. buying someone else problem(a used engine), because you never know, lol, any warranty does NOT include labor to exchange a used engine.

Engine hoist can be rented by the day
You should buy an engine stand, look on craigslist, people do what you are doing all the time, so there are always engine stands available, and you will resell it when you are done with it.

4.0l SOHC is an interference engine, but..............the design is such that that if chain breaks cam will stop at a neutral setting so valves rarely get bent and pistons rarely get damaged, rarely is not never, but certainly worth a look before writing off the engine.

Now if your oil is full of metal bits then yes, I would look at another engine.

Get pricing on timing chain kit and head gasket set with head bolts.
And used engine(include shipping)

That will be the choices

 

I have a 2004 Ranger XLT 4x4 super cab 4dr short step bed with 4.0 engine and 5 speed manual transmission. Just got the bad news the frame is bad. Cross member holding front of bed and rear gas tank straps rusted off. I just put a reman engine in it a couple years ago. It only has 6,600 miles on it. Yes six thousand six hundred miles.I put a new clutch kit in i resurfaced the fly wheel. Unless I can find another Ranger to put it in. It is for sale.Make me an offer. Have just under $3,000.00 in the engine.

 

Welcome to the forum

Thats a bummer

Rangers all have two part frames, front and rear
Rear frame is a separate part that can be removed and replaced, regular cab and extended cab used the same rear frame for 6' bed, 2wd or 4x4, only the long bed(7') Rangers had different rear frame


Stack of rear frames here: https://images1.americanlisted.com/n...d_36600973.jpg

So they are out there if you want to do it or if someone wants to buy your Ranger and do it
Metal cutting and welding required for this

Just FYI
There were 4 Front frames
2WD regular cab and 2wd extended cab
4WD regular cab and 4wd extended cab<<< these are boxed and have front axle mounts

 

Thanks for the heads up on that. I might just repair it now.Then put a flat bed on it. Since the bed's shot too.

 

At under 7,000 miles I think that would be a good repair

But at only 6.700 miles I can't figure out how it got that way
All 6,700 miles must have been launching and picking up boats from trailers in the OCEAN, high salt, lol

 

Sorry but I'll stop you right there. You don't have to remove the motor to change the back timing chain or cassette. You do have to drop the transmission but don't have remove fly wheel or tourqe conveter.There isn't alot of room but it save time just make sure you buy a whole kit that includes a pivot bolt [because finding the right one is hard and has a back plug for the crank sproket.] The places where to order them separate it takes a while to get them. The motor comes forward when you unbolt the Pipestone give you room to take off the cam bolt as well as cassette bolt.. all together it's about well if u buy a kit 200 to 300$ save.

 

Is this still available? Location?