3.0L engine different if 4x4

[Teddranger]

Have a 2000 Ford ranger 4x4 with the 3.0 l engine. The motor started to knock. So the engine lower unit is the problem. Just had both heads reworked & resurfaced, timing chain and so on! Now lowed engine! Before pulling engine thought I'd buy a short block and have it reworked from junk yard. They tell me I must have a 4x4 engine. My question is wouldn't any 3.0 block work, not a front wheel drive but rear drive? Thanks for the help!

 

[RangerX]

Welcome to the forum!

I doubt there's any difference, but if you're going to replace the engine, why not put in a 4.0? Much better...

 

[SoHK_alumni]

I'm pretty sure the FWD 3.0 has ancillary differences to the RWD version but those differences don't extend down to the short block.

So, the FWD 3.0 is not a plug and play for the RWD/4WD but the 4WD and RWD are all but identical. There might be a different oil pan and pickup to make room for the front diff but the full long blocks should be interchangeable.