Converting OHV 4.0 to SOHC 4.0

[SVO]

Has anyone done this conversion yet, or thought about it?

Like to see some feed back on this, I have the motor (2001 Ranger vin# E with 8k miles, $750 complete), wiring and ECU.

The rest should all be nuts and bolts as far as I can tell.

 

[Jason_25]

A few of these swaps have been done in rangers. You'll need the tranny too. Your fuel system has to changed over to the returnless style as well. Good luck.

 

[SVO]

You mention the transmission, it looks as if the block is remotely the same as in bolt pattern, if your talking about the ECU controlling the trans, the wiring harness I have is for a standard shift Ranger with no controls for the transmission.

The fuel system is not a problem, I'll remove it out of a later model Exploder.

Might you have a link I could research or reference to??

 

[410Fortune]

THIS is not an easy conversion by any means.
In fact it is pretty much as much work as a 5.0L

Doug904 has converted his 93 ranger to a SOHC, if anybody can help you it is him...

4.0performance.com

 

[Magicfan25]

build that SOHC for some boost while ya got it sittin out! 4.0performance has the pistons and rings youd need.

 

[SVO]

Guys it looks like it's home work time, thanks for all your help, if there is anything else you can throw on the table PLEASE DO!

And I'll PM Doug.

 

[410Fortune]

You will need a SOHC tranny and T^ case as well I believe.
Also it may not even fit, the SOHC is wider then a 5.0L......

You will have to hack up the heater box a bunch...

Custom motor mounts, tranny mount, custom exhaust,cooling, more probably.

Pretty much everyone who goes down this road settles for a 5.0L instead, HOWEVER it can be done, has been done and will be done some more.

Doug is the ONLY person I know of with a SOHC in a pre 95.......

 

[FreakZilla]

I have a Mac performance cold air intake for a 97-98 SOHC 4.0 explorer if anyone is interested.

 

[Doug904]

Hey guy,

Its kinda easy and kinda hard all in one. If you have a PRE-95 there's no hope for the a/c box, I don't care if you have a/c or not, after 94 they went to a different box and everythings the same as the new styles. As for the rest its pretty straight foward. The SOHC and OHV share ALOT of the same stuff on the block, motor mount holes in the side are the same and the bellhousing bolts EXCEPT for the top passenger's side, its lower on a SOHC. I have 7 out of 8 bolts holding my transmission to the engine, I feel very secure with it. On the 98up 4.0 OHV's alot of the trannys have this hole in them on the OHV's so that they can be swapped with the SOHC on the assembly line. Simple stuff like throttle cable, water hoses, and if you use the new style computer you'll have to adapt everything to work with it on your previous style dash and under hood harness, still not too bad. The Y-pipe from the OHV even works but you'll have to open the holes up a bit to get it on the manifolds.

All in all its a pretty straight foward swap that shouldn't have to do much to. With an auto though don't forget that with each year came more and more changes so you'll need the auto for the year computer and engine you have. The manuals will interchange.

Mind you this is not a swap quide, these a just a few things. You'll still have a few things pop up but nothing too major, NO its not a weekend thing that should be done on your daily driver.

Later Doug904.

 

[SVO]

WHOOOOOOT a positive reply!!!!

That's what I was looking for, I had studied the block and didn't see too many differences, so that's why I started looing into the swap, as for the computer you are correct, about funtions, luckly I scoped out a 2001 Ranger with a manual transmission as mine is not computer controller, so the stick comp. should work just fine.
I also have a programmer under my wings as I am an apprentice to his work.

Your web site is very nice, and I will be sending you some questions if you don't mind, as for doing it to my daily driver I have no fear that my Mustang GT will get me through the ordeal of putting this together, no getting it done by Roctober for the Moab run is the biggest hump I have to accomplish!


Thanx, Doug you'll be hearing from me very very soon!

 

[tmsoko]

This reminds me a little of the 2.8L carb to 2.9L EFI V6 swap I did in my old 1985 Bronco II. I had to do engine, trans, transfercase, gas tank, fuel lines, complete wire harness, and IP. Did it all in one 2 day weekend (roughly 40 hours spent!)

Should be straight forward, the width will be something to work around, but liveable.

I would give some serious consideration to a V8 if you are going through that much trouble though...

 

[SVO]

No the V-8 is not an option at this point, I have more V-6 parts availible to me than V-8, cost is quintessencle here, ording stuff in is not cost effective, have an ample supple of OHV's and SOHC motors, transmissions, wiring harnesses, and fuel systems makes this very much more a reality.

I have only one V-8 2wd Sploder and it pretty much bare.

The main concern right now is the A/C issue.

 

[410Fortune]

Okay good news from Doug!

Now it may be possible to adapt the later model AC box to your truck ( iam guessing firewall and HVAC control modifications to say the least), or to adapt an AC system from another vehicle all together?

Something to look into...

Are there any stand alone AC systems on the market? that could interfece with your current heater box/evaporator and controls?

Take a look at the heater box mods people have done to clear the 5.0L's pass side valve cover and EGR (in soome swaps) this can show you the different ways to notch the heather box for clearance. I have even seen a box welded together with an ABS plastic welder, as apposed to the rivet on sheet metal with silicoln method..

personally I love the SOHC and the power it makes, I would love to have one in my BII.....hmmm....

 

[jimbo74]

get an aftermarket a/c unit like ones soled in jcwhiteny and ones sold by companies to add a/c or heater to an old rod car....

 

[SVO]

If you think that the V-8 box might work, that I know for sure it's in the vehicle we have out back.

Also and worst case conditin have the ABS plastic welder from MAC Tools.

But your right I may have to use the later model HVAC control head/parts.

 

[IAmTodd]

What are you doing about computer systems? Yours in OBD-I and the motors is OBD-II. They are not swapable? This has always been a worry to me when I think of swapping a motor.

 

[SVO]

Originally posted by IAmTodd
What are you doing about computer systems? Yours in OBD-I and the motors is OBD-II. They are not swapable? This has always been a worry to me when I think of swapping a motor.

I am removing the harness out of my Navajo and replacing it with a 01' 5spd Ranger harness and processor and 4.0 SOHC, it has 8k miles on it.

It's aaaaaaalmost plug and play from what I have heard and seen so far.

Working on that Bob.

 

[IAmTodd]

But from what I've heard the 2 systems, pre '95 and 96+ are different. I don't think they are plug and play.

 

[SVO]

Complete removeal of one system and replace with the later 01' system complete.

Rewire for the dash guages.

PCM relocation is a must after last weekend.

 

[Doug904]

One major thing to remember as well using the new style computer is the PATS system or Passive Anti Theft system. You'll need a aftermarket chip made at first to turn it off or you'll never get the fuel pump or injectors to fire, go ahead ask me how I know. hahahaa. Brian at Apten can fix you right up.

Later Doug904.