Swap a 5.0 into a ranger

want to wheel

want to wheel

need a rig
Joined
Nov 10, 2011
Location
High Point NC
hey guys have a question. I have a 2002 ford ranger with a worn out 4.0 I am wanting to see about swapping a late model 5.0 out of a 98-01 explorer into it. I am just waking to make sure I don’t do all this work and try to get it inspected and they won’t allow it to pass. Has anyone ran into this or tried to do this?

Also this was my younger brothers truck who was killed in a bad car wreck 2 years ago. So the trucks not going anywhere. I am wanting to finish what he started. He was wanting to go toward the prerunner with it and a built motor. So I do have a budget. That’s why there’s not a LS going in it

Thanks Dylan
 
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Engine has to be from same model year or newer. You could prob get by since it's still OBD2 but they could still fail you.
 
Chris_Keziah said:
Engine has to be from same model year or newer. You could prob get by since it's still OBD2 but they could still fail you.
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That is... assuming they somehow know what year the engine came out of....
Is the hood even popped in an >'96 NC inspection?
 
RatLabGuy said:
That is... assuming they somehow know what year the engine came out of....
Is the hood even popped in an >'96 NC inspection?
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The last time my hood was popped during an inspection was when I changed a headlight bulb in the bay a few years ago so I'd pass.

More than likely you'll be fine but there's always gonna be that one asshole.
 
Drop a 4.0 reman and go. Your not gaining much power for the headache........unless your gonna build it. Then it want be cheaper at all.
 
72Rockcruiser said:
Not much at all..google says

02 ranger 4.0 207hp

01 explorer 5.0 215hp
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I learned this the hard way....,applies to YJ's and 4.0 straight 6 as well. Not to mention the torque curve difference.
 
RatLabGuy said:
That is... assuming they somehow know what year the engine came out of....
Is the hood even popped in an >'96 NC inspection?
Click to expand...

From what I have read I will have to use the computer out of the explorer. So when they plug it up to the computer it will come up as being an explorer
 
BigBody79 said:
Rebuild the 4.0, if enough people say it you might listen.
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If ford didn’t make the 4.0 so hard to work on i would keep it. I am wanting to do that 5.0 cause eventually I would like to put a small turbo or blower on it. I know everyone thinks I am crazy but it would be a fun ride then!!
 
want to wheel said:
Also this was my younger brothers truck who was killed in a bad car wreck 2 years ago. So the trucks not going anywhere. I am wanting to finish what he started. He was wanting to go toward the prerunner with it and a built motor. So I do have a budget. That’s why there’s not a LS going in it

Thanks Dylan
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If this is the sole hard headed reason go for it!.......However throw that word budget out the window.
The most important question outside of motive is always budget. The second is plausibility.

SO. IS THE AREA of the intended registration a Smog compliant county or Safety only?

If it is smog you will need a re flashed computer and a entire swap that meets or exceeds that vehicle years OBD and Pollution controls. CATS, EGR, exct......all of which contradict and exclude some of the mods you intend................unless you go with a supercharged set up from Ford or a built system designed to work along side Ford that does not upset the Emissions and related codes. $$$$$$ and due to age maybe hard to acquire.

If both are not already manual trans add additional mess, Much less excluding speeds sensors and abs.

Back to square one......Throw out the word budget. Also add headache.

The simple solution would be strip and build for never making a pavement run....no legality full toy show piece. Otherwise build to aesthetics and form excluding the motor. Enjoy full usefulness and completion of part of your brothers dream.
 
What’s a reman 4.0 cost? 2500 tops?

Rebuild on the 5.0 could cost close to a 1000.
Then you will be redoing all the motor mounts possibly transmission mount.
What about ac stuff? That could have a decent expense to it.
Then engine tuning and flashing computer.
Rewiring/ integrating chassis harness to new motor harness.
All of this for 8 hp.

Not worth it in my opinion. Slap a turbo on the 4.0


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Loganwayne said:
What’s a reman 4.0 cost? 2500 tops?

Rebuild on the 5.0 could cost close to a 1000.
Then you will be redoing all the motor mounts possibly transmission mount.
What about ac stuff? That could have a decent expense to it.
Then engine tuning and flashing computer.
Rewiring/ integrating chassis harness to new motor harness.
All of this for 8 hp.

Not worth it in my opinion. Slap a turbo on the 4.0


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Click to expand...

Plus exhaust system, possibly a new radiator, radiator hoses, fan, shroud, etc

The cost of just the motor when doing a motor swap is only a small percentage of the total cost to complete the job and do it correctly.
 
I have had a 5.0 ranger it was fun but it’s a good bit of work the headers are tuff to fit for sure you can get a sct and turn off most of the emissions crap but I would agree it’s probably not worth it


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Build the 4.0 and run FA out the gate. There's much more in swapping a motor than just getting it and installing it. As they say, the devil's in the details. Yes flashing the VIN into the 5.0 computer takes care of the obd emissions issue, but I will guarantee you spend less money rebuilding & twin turboing the 4.0 than installing a 5.0 correctly with a single turbo. Believe it or not, a LS swap will probably be the same or cheaper than a 5.0 swap & yield better numbers.
 
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