when did the ranger go to SOHC

[kristinandq]

What year did the ranger go SOHC? been trying to figure out since my son was given a 99 ford ranger with the 4.0 for his birthday. they say it need the timing done. I have never had to do the timing on the OHV. My explorers and navajo have never needed it done. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Blue91Ex]

I believe it had been an option since the mid 90s, like the explorers I think you could get either engine for a little while before they phased out the ohv, but I highly doubt that your son's 99 has the OHV. By then I don't think the ohv was still an option. IIRC you could get the 2.3 4cyl, 3.0 v6, and 4.0 sohc v6. I am not an expert or anything but from my understanding that is roughly how it worked.

I'm fairly sure he has the SOHC though, which is fine as long as you replace the chain and tensioners before it blows the engine, the SOHC is a reliable and more powerful/fuel efficient engine than the OHV after it has been upgraded with the updated tensioners.

 

[section525]

Maybe 1998? I'm thinking 2001

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/4_0_Page.shtml

 

[kristinandq]

Thanks i was hoping to luck out and not need to buy the cam tool. Since he was hoping for me to have it running by june 11th. I am pretty sure the motor is toast since the SOHC is a interference engine. At least what little i could find out about it. Guess i will see if i can get the VIN for it and see what engine it truly has. Thanks again.

 

[kristinandq]

section 525 thanks good link i read that one a few times the other night guess to many beers to understand it.

 

[section525]

section 525 thanks good link i read that one a few times the other night guess to many beers to understand it.

Even with no beers its a little confusing. They sort of give two years, 1998 & 2001.

In 1998 the 4.0L SOHC (Single Over Head Cam) engine replaced the 4.0L OHV engine producing 207hp.

We know that the Ford Ranger switched from the OHV 4.0L to the SOHC 4.0L in 2001,

I don't know enough about the Ranger to know for sure.

 

[section525]

2001. My final answer.

 

[kristinandq]

Thanks for posting that. That clears a lot up.

 

[colintrax]

Just to back him up, yes 2001 is when the ranger got the SOHC. It wasn't an option until then and the OHV was dropped in 2001. Also, I believe rangers got the updated timing set in 2002.

 

[kristinandq]

Extremely happy to here this. since it looks very complicated to do the sohc timing. Not to mention the expensive parts and tools to do the job right and pulling the engine. Thanks again to everyone that has responded. Good advice and help on this forum.

 

[boominXplorer]

^^^^Yes 2001 was first 4.0 sohc truck

Its more of a pain to set the cam positioning sensor in time than time the chains on a 4.0 ohv.