Is it possible to replace a 4.0ohv w/ one of the new 4.0sohc motors without chaning the tranny? I've got a '99 4x4 w/ a 5spd that is fine for now, but down the road I may be interested in a swap. Has anybody tried this?

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In my opinion, I wouldn't want to. I own a OHV 4.0, and I'm currently looking at the new SOHC 4.0s. During test drives, the newer SOHC engine does not impress me at all. It's very obvious that the OHV engine makes more power at low RPMs if you actually drive both. I still will probably buy a newer Ranger, but not because of the engine. Furthermore, I read more problems with the SOHC engine than I do with the OHV engine.

However, the transmission hasn't changed for many years in the Ranger, so I don't see why the swap couldn't be done. You would just have to round up the proper parts beforehand.

 

If my 4.0L went south right now, I'd either rebuild it or replace it with another OHV. Putting in a SOHC looks like it might be more trouble than it's worth, at least for someore like me.