Please bare with me as my ADD makes my posts pretty long often times.

Hello all, I am a former 2.5L short bed owner! About a year ago I got into an accident ultimately losing that truck to a rollover. Recently I've been looking for another ranger and I'm seeking a little advice on this purchase.

I'd love to buy another 2.5L but due to the fact that I like to offroad, and typically I go alone, I'm swaying toward a 4wd this time. Since it's been a little while since I've studied these trucks, I now have a question or two for you all.

I have a motor and trans from a 97 ranger. It's a 2wd 4.0 with the 5 speed auto. I wanna know first of all if I buy a truck with the T5 will I be required to buy much more than a bell housing to swap the 4.0 in (i.e 4.0 from a 3.0).

Secondly if I just stick with my 4.0 and its auto trans, will the transfer case from a 4 speed auto OR the T5, be adaptable to it without a major investment?

My preferred setup (aside from a 4 cyl) is a 4.0 with the T5 4wd. However, here in Texas that combination is quite expensive to buy ready to run. So I'm looking to be be all in on this truck for not much more than $2000. I appreciate all who have read this far and can offer advice. Thank you