so i spend alot more time over in the diesel section. i have just aquired a 2001 ranger 2wd with a 4cyl that has alot of issues and i decided to pull it and replace with crown vic running grear. has any one done it with a 2v 4.6? i see one guy that did it with a 4 cam and alot of 5.0. i know it will be tight but it will fit. i will be using a v8 explorer radiator and v8 explore rearend

what do you guys think?

 

I'd sure try and stay with the 5.0L to make things a whole lot easier. Sounds like you've done some searching, don't know of any 2 valve swaps done, all the DOHC versions. Quite a bit of fabrication required. Even with the 5.0L swap, things get harder with 2001 newer Rangers due to the wiring. Lots of documentation on what it takes for those. I can sure try and point you in the right direction if needed, some good write-ups. Just up here outside of Stevens Point.
Dave
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2052265

 

In doing research I think I will be going with the 4 cam 4.6. I have come to that decision bc I really like that motor a lot more then the 2v and I can find one cheap out of a Lincoln mark viii. as for the 5.0 I have never liked that motor one bit, its crude and heavy and I never thought they made good power in stock form.

im no stranger to making thing fit where they should not go lol 4 years ago I put a 12 valve cummins in a 97 f-150 and everyone said that could not be done. it was not a bad swap and I would definitely do it again given the chance

 

Of course it can be done, but the 4.6/5.4 Modulars are just super wide. Are you wanting to drive this thing, or just doing it for fun? Major problems you'll run into are clearance for the heater box, steering, exhaust.

 

I've never liked the 5.0 either, but a ranger doesn't weigh squat. and with all the time (and $) you'd save yourself, you could build it into something decent. Just my .02...

 

I will be driving it in the summer and leaving it parked most of the winter.

 

The 4.6 is very wide, you might as well be trying to shoe-horn a 460 in there.
Find a 5.0 from a 86-94 Mustang GT or a Explorer and take the easy route.

 

A 4v 4.6 is quite a bit larger than a 460.. good luck shoehorning that thing in there.


The Explorer motor is a solid 300-325hp with a simple cam change, you have the option of using carb or EFI induction, and you have several manual and automatic transmissions to chose from in 2wd and 4wd.

 

I think 01 was the last of the 5liter in the explorers... Or was that 2000
Either way, the ranger and explorer were darn close to the same engine bay. Check wiring diagrams and the harness may plug right in.

As far as the 4v fitting or not fitting, the Lincoln aviator I think was a rebadged explorer, with a dohc 4.6...... And if a ranger is the same engine bay as explorer.....

But I'd swap in whatever motor came in an 01 explorer, be it a 5liter or 4.6 because it will probably bolt right in.
I hate to suggest it, but check out "theranger station. Com". Lots of good info there

 

By the time they had introduced the 4.6, they had changed the explorer. the engine bay was made larger, so the 4.6 would fit. TRS is a good site for the tech articles, i believe someone did a fairly detailed write up about the difficulties in a 4.6 swap.

 

I just looked it up and I was correct, last explorer with 5 liter was 01....
Meaning the 5 liter will bolt in, and wiring harness will plug right in.
Boom! Engine swap done.
With a cam swap like suggested and headers, the thing would be a blast to drive.
Research torquemonster headers. That will give you an understanding of how super restrictive the stock manifolds/tubular manifolds really are.


Here's a pic

 

You might want to re-consider the Explorer rear-end also. The spring perch for the Ranger is on top and the Explorer has it on the bottom.

 

That's well documented as well as the 4.6 swap at TRS. Guys with the early Mustangs are using the Explorer rear end.
Dave

 

Count me in for the "use a 5.0" group

Considering ive got a 98 ranger with a 5.0 its all the truck you need. I left the 5.0 in stock explorer form and it will still break the tires free coming into 2nd gear. Plus I did my swap in a weekend. Pulled it in the garage after work friday, 3.0/trans out that night. 5.0/4r70w in the next day, spent sunday plumbing and wiring then drove it to work monday (on open down tubes).

Either way whatever route you go I wanna stay tuned in. If its a 4.6 I am really curious about it. If its a 5.0 I still like seeing them

 

Ok so the 4 cam 4.6 is at home in the garage. I think all the extra work will Be worh it. I just really don't like the 5.0 and besides that everyone is doing 5.0 swaps. I will keep everyone posted as well as i can