and also what years have which? i'm looking at a 97 4L ranger, and have been told 2 different things.. how can i tell the 4L's apart just by looking under the hood??

thanks

 

There are 2 different Ford 4.0L engines:

1. Overhead Valve design 4.0L - ('89-'00)

2. Single Overehead Cam design 4.0L - ('97-current)

The OHV version was put in the Ranger until '00, so that is the engine that is in the '97 that you are looking at. The SOHC version has been used in the Ranger since '01.

(FWIW, the Explorer got the OHV version until '97, thereafter it got the SOHC).