I don't consider myself an EXPERT anything. I learned from every time I ever turned a wrench, ESPECIALLY the projects I have done. So i am going to approach this carefully and ask questions before I start.
I have been reading all the threads about this issue. The last thing I want to start is another opinion poll. Please do not try to dissuade me from doing this, as I have already decided this is my course of action, given my available means and donor vehicles available to me. This is a project that I love doing and keeps me even, If I wish to upgrade to something better in the future I will, but right now I just want to have my explorer back, and it'll be fun.
everyone refers to these engines as SOHC and OHV. Here is my understanding of that terminology:
***4.0L SOHC (SYNCHRONIZED OVERHEAD CAM) Two cams, one over each head, and 5 timing chains in the 4X4 models
This is my 1996, and it has blown the timing cassettes (and the valves...etc). I bought it like this cheap from a friend.
***4.0L OHV (OVER HEAD VALVE) One cam, and pushrod driven valves, 1 timing chain from crank to cam.
This is my 1997, which I just bought. the body is shot, but the 4X4 drivetrain is fully functional.
I am using the 97 OHV drivetrain to swap the 96 SOHC to 4X4, while replacing the engine at the same time.
I have all the parts to both trucks. Here is my understanding of what must be done engine-wise:
***PCM, Engine and wiring harness from OHV vehicle will need to be swapped to the donor body.
As far as everything else, I am using all the original parts from the OHV truck (trans, axles, rotors, engine, wiring, etc...) and swapping it over. So issues with the trans and stuff wont be there, since it is all going over together.
I will have the things torn down to the body panels and will recover all the wiring harnesses from the 97 before I scrap the body.
I would swap the white body over to the other chassis, but the rust and damage to the frame on the 97 is too great. So this is the plan. I hope to get started on this within the next month, after I get a rear engine seal in my son's Nissan.