I posted this in the engine swap forum also, so moderators if I am breaking any rules feel free to delete this.

Well my son's 98 ranger 4x4 extended cab with a 3.0 and manual transmission is going to need an engine swap. He seems to think that a 4.0 will just drop right in.I'm sure the info is somewhere in this forum already but after a few hours searching this forum last night I couldn't find alot of info.Does anybody know if the 4.0 will just bolt up to his current 5speed.I know that the computers will have to be swapped. How about the exhaust manifolds? Any info on swapping out the 3.0 to 4.0 would be appreciated. I've located a 3.0 engine at a local salvage yard,it is from a mazda they say this is a direct replacement,is this true or am I going to have to do alot of extra work to make this fit?
Any helpful tips on just swapping the 3.0 for the low mileage 3.0 would also be appreciated. Thanks, Brian

 

The bolt patterns on the 4.0 block is different. The Mazda is a Ford, same engine.

 

I pasted a post about a 2.3L to 4.0L swap in the swap forum. It applies to you too, since you want to end up with a 4.0L. A 5.0L swap is realtively easy in 98-01 Ranger.B-trucks as well....

Just look for the info.

 

3.0L will swap right in, as Ken said Mazda is Ford. Basically same truck. If you wanna go for a 5.0L (302) swap, that's also quite easy into the Rangers, just a little notching here and there.

Do you want to end up with a 4.0L or does your son just not want the 3.slow?

 

3.slow will swap. The computers will need changing if you intend to go for the 4.0L. Along with the computer swap, you'll also need a new tranny, possibly new gears to match the different gearing on the tranny. For that much trouble, you might as well go for gut busting power from a 5.0L. The mileage wouldn't be much different from the 3.0 to the 5.0. Good luck with it.

 

Thanks to everyone who answered my questions.

Rangerpilot you nailed it right on the head,my boy wants anything with more power than the 3.0. He had been talking about the 5.0 but figured that the 4.0 would be easier and less expensive to install. It seems that both the 4.0 and 5.0 would be about the same amount of work so now he's starting to search for a donor vehicle with a 5.0. If he can't find one in a reasonable period of time he will have to live with another 3.0.

Alfred I found that post that you pasted ,thanks, it was very informative and helps the boy understand that not everything is as easy as it sounds. And also it is not impossible with some extra effort. Either way we are both going to get our hands dirty with this one lol.

Again thanks to all for the replys.