Will Newer 4.0 engine fit in a 2nd Gen?

[Gabcar8321]

Hello everyone, I still have my 97 explorer sport thats been sitting for years. It has an RWD X code 4.0 ohv and a Automatic transmission with 169k miles. Haven't done anything yet it but i am pretty sure it needs a overhaul engine and tranny rebuild
It has developed a rear main seal leak, lifter clatter (could be due to not being used since 2014) And one time the OD light was flashing
And shifts into P R N & D take a while
My question is, Will a 4.0 from a 2007-2011 Ranger engine and transmission be a more a easier / reasonable swap than having the original sent to get rebuild.
Cost is not a factor, im just looking at which path to take. Id prefer a newer powertrain because of the added hp.
Also would it be possible to fit in and replace the 97 Auto transmission with a Newer Manual tranny from 2007- 2011 ranger.
The purpose of the vehicle would be to use it as an extra daily and going to the beach and cruise around south Fl, maybe take it on roadtrips to SW Fl and Orlando.
Thanks in advance

 

[Fix4Dirt]

the newer rangers came with the sohc version of the 4.0, you have the ohv... you can swap to sohc, but thatll be a different conversion than just sending you rohv out to be rebuilt... so you can go ohv to sohc no problem, but theres additional work needed

 

[Gabcar8321]

the newer rangers came with the sohc version of the 4.0, you have the ohv... you can swap to sohc, but thatll be a different conversion than just sending you rohv out to be rebuilt... so you can go ohv to sohc no problem, but theres additional work needed

What about the transmission?
Does it make sense to just take out my worn out engine + tranny and replace it with a "newer" one from a used Ranger?

 

[Fix4Dirt]

the newer rangers had the 5r55e, which (you can confirm) whicht i believe your 97 has as well... so those will interchange iirc, its just the engine that doesnt intrchange... from ohv to sohc it will take some work, as the rangers had sohc, but yours has the ohv veesion of the 4.0... to swap... im not too knowledgable, perhaps jamie @410Fortune can chime in with his wisdom, but my thoughts are as follows

at this point, your options are (in order of what i think is best)

stick w the ohv

ohv-> v8

ohv -> sohc

with the amount of effort, you may as well go v8! or just stick w the ohv

PCM- you could i think use the ohv one, but shift points, timing, WOT afr differences may exist, and also iirc the sohcs have a knock sensor the ohv doesnt have (?)

and idk about this one, but i thikn the cam position sensor differed, some used hall effect and some reluctors i vaguely recall

imo, at this point, it would be wisest to buy an entire donor truck, as theres lots of little differnces here and there thatll drive you nuts!!!

to me, at this point, with the work involved, i say to go v8... much more mod potential, more reliability...

 

[Fix4Dirt]

the newer rangers had the 5r55e, which (you can confirm) whicht i believe your 97 has as well... so those will interchange iirc, its just the engine that doesnt intrchange... from ohv to sohc it will take some work, as the rangers had sohc, but yours has the ohv veesion of the 4.0... to swap... im not too knowledgable, perhaps jamie @410Fortune can chime in with his wisdom, but my thoughts are as follows

at this point, your options are (in order of what i think is best)

stick w the ohv

ohv-> v8

ohv -> sohc

with the amount of effort, you may as well go v8! or just stick w the ohv

PCM- you could i think use the ohv one, but shift points, timing, WOT afr differences may exist, and also iirc the sohcs have a knock sensor the ohv doesnt have (?)

and idk about this one, but i thikn the cam position sensor differed, some used hall effect and some reluctors i vaguely recall

imo, at this point, it would be wisest to buy an entire donor truck, as theres lots of little differnces here and there thatll drive you nuts!!!

to me, at this point, with the work involved, i say to go v8... much more mod potential, more reliability...

to add onto this, i would take ALLLLLLLLLL the wiring for engine and trans etc outta the ranger, as theres lots of minute differneces that may not be apparent, and also pay attn to the dressing stuff, like alts, starter, etc... not sure if those differ, i have a sohc and havent paid to much attn to the ohv... only the sohc and v8 think ohv pcm and harnesses will be removed, and replaced witht he sohc counterparts

edit: missed this the first time around, but the auto to manual swap iirc was quite complicated

you need

tranny, clutch, pressure plate, flywheel, etc, clutch master cyl w the rod thingy, clutch position switch, clutch pedal, hydraulic lines, and the PCM out of a manual sohc ranger to match tne engine and trans... and not sure if the rangers had PATS or not, int hat case im not sure if that would cause issues (someone confirm) now you could have an auto pcm reflashed to remove tranny function... and this wuld change the harnesses to again a ranger w/ the sohc and manual tranny, making this slim picking... to be honest, you may be better off finding a manual sohc EXPLORER donor, as theres more similarities iirc (not even sure if there is such thing as a manual sohc explorer, or heck even a manual sohc) youll need the manual starter disble thing, similiar to shift interlock thing on the column, you may also need to remove auto tranny jumper, and plug into CPP


now for finding a donor you have options

manual sohc explorer (best)
manual sohc ranger
auto sohc explorer
auto sohc ranger

so now to finding these, as the sohc manuals had the m5od with the stronger clutch/pressure place than the ohv units... and the sohc, ideally one thats the ame year as yours (97 in this case) as later ones has pats and are a pain and more $, so a 97 sohc manual explorer is ideal when you get these youll want to redo the timing components and add the oil restrictor as well as reseal everything and do the rear main imo... heck at this point just use the old sohc outta the donor as a core and just get a remanned unit from atk or jasper or something...

so TLDR: try to find a 97 manual sohc and take the 97 sohc and send it in as a core and buy a remanned unit or redo timing components at least then swap the tranny and all the wiring and stuff over...

gee, this was long!!!!!! honestly, i forgot EVERYTHING i just sid so theres probably a mistake somewhere in here

 

[boominXplorer]

97 is a 1 year only transmission in the 6cyl models, speed sensors on transmission are different. On the other hand if the 97 was a 4.0 SOHC then the 09+ ranger motor would swap in, you'd just have to use the 97s valve covers, intake and wiring.

Since you have an 4.0 ohv your better off rebuilding the top end on it and keep it moving.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

97 is a 1 year only transmission in the 6cyl models, speed sensors on transmission are different. On the other hand if the 97 was a 4.0 SOHC then the 09+ ranger motor would swap in, you'd just have to use the 97s valve covers, intake and wiring.

Since you have an 4.0 ohv your better off rebuilding the top end on it and keep it moving.

they saoid it was an ohv... forgot about speed sensors, my bad... wouldnt it be much easier for OP to just send off their current stuff to get rebuilt/get a remanned unit instead?

 

[CDW6212R]

97 is a 1 year only transmission in the 6cyl models, speed sensors on transmission are different. On the other hand if the 97 was a 4.0 SOHC then the 09+ ranger motor would swap in, you'd just have to use the 97s valve covers, intake and wiring.

Since you have an 4.0 ohv your better off rebuilding the top end on it and keep it moving.

The 97 model 5R55E is unique and isn't possible to swap other 5R's for it, or so hard nobody has figured out how to yet as documented. I learned that in about 2005 when a Ford tech had his wife's 97 in for the trans(burned up). He tried swapping another model(99 IIRC), and rebuilding the old one, but ended up with another 97 5R. He was a Ford mechanic and didn't figure it out, I accept that the 97 is a special model needing only the identical for replacement.

I also would rebuild the OHV 4.0, or else a full swap to 302, and your choice of trans. Fixing your old one is straight forward.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

The 97 model 5R55E is unique and isn't possible to swap other 5R's for it, or so hard nobody has figured out how to yet as documented. I learned that in about 2005 when a Ford tech had his wife's 97 in for the trans(burned up). He tried swapping another model(99 IIRC), and rebuilding the old one, but ended up with another 97 5R. He was a Ford mechanic and didn't figure it out, I accept that the 97 is a special model needing only the identical for replacement.

I also would rebuild the OHV 4.0, or else a full swap to 302, and your choice of trans. Fixing your old one is straight forward.

i didnt know that!!! i knew there were differnces, hopefully someday ill find a 97 5r to tear down aside my 98 5r!!! too bad glacier isnt here as often naymore

 

[boominXplorer]

There are alot of differences between the 97 and newer 5r55/4r55. The way the center shaft rides on needle bearings vs bushings and so on. I tried to make a 00 work in a 97 and could only use the pump section out of the 00 in the 97. A ton of internals are different as well but the soft parts like clutches and bands are the same.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

oh, alright... so OP would have to probably use another 97 unit or go manual? at that point may just be better to stick with ohv or go all out and go v8 then dunno

 

[Mbrooks420]

If I was doing an involved motor swap I’d go with a 5.0, 4406, and 4r70w.

 

[Gabcar8321]

I appreciate everyone's Input. I Learned quite ALOT. Honestly, I though it was a plug and play, take out the old and put in the newer ecu, tranny, and engine and wire it together.

I never never considered PATS, speedsenors and the all things that had to be swapped out.
I think i will just send the transmission and engine to get rebuilt and leave it as is.

 

[Gabcar8321]

to add onto this, i would take ALLLLLLLLLL the wiring for engine and trans etc outta the ranger, as theres lots of minute differneces that may not be apparent, and also pay attn to the dressing stuff, like alts, starter, etc... not sure if those differ, i have a sohc and havent paid to much attn to the ohv... only the sohc and v8 think ohv pcm and harnesses will be removed, and replaced witht he sohc counterparts

edit: missed this the first time around, but the auto to manual swap iirc was quite complicated

you need

tranny, clutch, pressure plate, flywheel, etc, clutch master cyl w the rod thingy, clutch position switch, clutch pedal, hydraulic lines, and the PCM out of a manual sohc ranger to match tne engine and trans... and not sure if the rangers had PATS or not, int hat case im not sure if that would cause issues (someone confirm) now you could have an auto pcm reflashed to remove tranny function... and this wuld change the harnesses to again a ranger w/ the sohc and manual tranny, making this slim picking... to be honest, you may be better off finding a manual sohc EXPLORER donor, as theres more similarities iirc (not even sure if there is such thing as a manual sohc explorer, or heck even a manual sohc) youll need the manual starter disble thing, similiar to shift interlock thing on the column, you may also need to remove auto tranny jumper, and plug into CPP


now for finding a donor you have options

manual sohc explorer (best)
manual sohc ranger
auto sohc explorer
auto sohc ranger

so now to finding these, as the sohc manuals had the m5od with the stronger clutch/pressure place than the ohv units... and the sohc, ideally one thats the ame year as yours (97 in this case) as later ones has pats and are a pain and more $, so a 97 sohc manual explorer is ideal when you get these youll want to redo the timing components and add the oil restrictor as well as reseal everything and do the rear main imo... heck at this point just use the old sohc outta the donor as a core and just get a remanned unit from atk or jasper or something...

so TLDR: try to find a 97 manual sohc and take the 97 sohc and send it in as a core and buy a remanned unit or redo timing components at least then swap the tranny and all the wiring and stuff over...

gee, this was long!!!!!! honestly, i forgot EVERYTHING i just sid so theres probably a mistake somewhere in here

Id agree with you in the beginning
It would be better to just swap in a V8 instead
And manual swapping would just complicate things more

 

[Gabcar8321]

The 97 model 5R55E is unique and isn't possible to swap other 5R's for it, or so hard nobody has figured out how to yet as documented. I learned that in about 2005 when a Ford tech had his wife's 97 in for the trans(burned up). He tried swapping another model(99 IIRC), and rebuilding the old one, but ended up with another 97 5R. He was a Ford mechanic and didn't figure it out, I accept that the 97 is a special model needing only the identical for replacement.

I also would rebuild the OHV 4.0, or else a full swap to 302, and your choice of trans. Fixing your old one is straight forward.

Gee, thats quite a Story,
I find it interesting what you said about 97 being a 1 year only trans. Is it because of the actual physical dimensions of the transmission? Or because they try using the stock engine with a newer Transmission?

 

[Gabcar8321]

97 is a 1 year only transmission in the 6cyl models, speed sensors on transmission are different. On the other hand if the 97 was a 4.0 SOHC then the 09+ ranger motor would swap in, you'd just have to use the 97s valve covers, intake and wiring.

Since you have an 4.0 ohv your better off rebuilding the top end on it and keep it moving.

So there isn't a possibility of me just gutting everything out from 97 and putting in a (lets say) 2010 sohc and its Automatic transmission?
That blows

 

[Fix4Dirt]

Id agree with you in the beginning
It would be better to just swap in a V8 instead
And manual swapping would just complicate things more

i think by the end of that post i lost my brain trying to think couldnt figure much out after that

 

[410Fortune]

yes there is
Sure thing

in fact I know of a 94 Explorer sport running a 2004 Ranger SOHC engine using the 94 EEC-IV OBD1 computer, how? Its simple really you can even keep the 94 return style fuel system if you use a 97 SOHC fuel rail and regulator (one year thing)

the difference between a say 97 SOHC engine and a 97 explorer ohv engine from the computer point of view is the sohc engine has a cam sensor mounted on the valve cover, the 97 ohv has a cam sensor mounted on the camshaft.
Thats it, otherwise they are very similar, from the pcm point of view
The OHV and SOHC have the same bolt pattern, your 97 auto trans will bolt to any 4.0 SOHC engine 97-2014


You can convert your 97 Explorer sport to a SOHC 4.0 and newer 5r55e auto trans if you are so determined to do so!
But this IS a conversion.... the best approach is to get the entire donor vehicle, like a wrecked ranger.
You should stick with 2005 and earlier to keep things simple
After 2005 the drivetrain computer got much more complicated to interface into our older trucks

I believe we could likely keep your 97 4.0 OHV computer that currently runs the pushrod engine and make it run a sohc engine
I also believe we could use a later model 5r55e automatic and make it work with your current 97 drivetrain computer.....maybe, this one I have to check into a little bit more.

If you wanted to convert to a SOHC 4.0 and a 5 speed setup that would be easiest.

your 97 sport came with a sohc engine in what 2000? Fitting the SOHC engine is a bolt in deal, although you will have some choices to make What computer to run, you would want to convert to returnless fuel like all other 98+ ford SOHC vehicles, again that all bolts in.
You currently have an early version of the 5r55e transmission, this sucker went through some changes after they dropped the a4ld and added computer controls (4r55e, 5r55e)95/96/97 and then 98-01 and finally 02-11 are basically all the same behind the 4.0 in the Ranger
I am not sure why your 97 PCM will not control a later model 5r55e based on what these guys said above it may be difficult... so if that proves impossible and you are dead set on running the 5r55e auto then you can swap in the donor vehicles computer and wiring...... the bottom line is a 97 Explorer is physically the same vehicle (similar enough) as a 95-01 Explorer, 02-04 sport or sport trac, or 98-11 Ranger

with the two vehicles sitting next to each other it is rather straight forward to put the drivetrain from any 95-2005 RBV into that 97 2 door
Just know what you are getting into..... before you get too far into it

 

[Fix4Dirt]

yes there is
Sure thing

in fact I know of a 94 Explorer sport running a 2004 Ranger SOHC engine using the 94 computer

You can convert your 97 Explorer sport to a SOHC 4.0 and newer 5r55e auto trans if you are so determined to do so!
But this IS a conversion.... the best approach is to get the entire donor vehicle, like a wrecked ranger.
You should stick with 2005 and earlier to keep things simple
After 2005 the drivetrain computer got much more complicated to interface into our older trucks

I believe we could likely keep your 97 4.0 OHV computer that currently runs the pushrod engine and make it run a sohc engine
I also believe we could use a later model 5r55e automatic and make it work with your current 97 drivetrain computer.....maybe, this one I have to check into a little bit more.

If you wanted to convert to a SOHC 4.0 and a 5 speed setup that would be easiest.

really? the sohc+manual is easier? i mean i guess it makes sense because less computer, but wouldnt OP have to have computer reflashed to remove high idle etc, not to mention all the minor differences between them? like clutch position, clutch master cyl, etc? or does the extra wiring of going auto outweigh that of the stuff to go manual? as far as conversions are concerned, i only know stuff on paper (hopefully ill change that soon) ,andyoure the expert!!!! love learning new stuff!

 

[410Fortune]

I would simply find a 97 PCM for a 4.0 and 5 speed, I likely already have one and wire that in. That is why I said 4.0 SOHC and 5 speed would be the easiest (AND A HECK OF ALLOTA FUN TO DRIVE IN A SPORT)

I love your enthusiasm, I share this