• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

3.0 to 4.0 swap is DONE!


Tulsa Time

Member
Joined
May 22, 2008
Messages
147
Reaction score
1
Points
18
Location
Coweta, Ok (Tulsa area)
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
Was 3.0, IS 4.0
Transmission
Automatic
After several months of driving my ‘93 Ranger with a very poor running 3.0, I finally got off my butt and swapped in the 4.0. It was a bit of a task since the 4.0 came out of a ‘94 2wd and needed to go into a 4x4.

I started with a Delta Cams rocker arm/push rod kit in the 4.0. That was pretty straight forward.

The biggest challenge was converting the 4.0 A4LD from a 2wd version to a 4x4 version. The only parts that needed to be changed were the output shaft, pan and filter. Unfortunately, the shaft required complete disassembly! While I had it apart I disassembled and cleaned the valve body.

As for the parts in the swap, the differences between the 3.0 and the 4.0 were transmission, passenger side motor mount, heater hoses, throttle cable, ECM, engine harness, and engine compartment harness. Having access to the donor vehicle was a plus.

I pulled the Ranger into the garage after work Thursday night, worked on it all weekend, Monday after work and Tuesday afternoon. I finally got it running Tuesday evening. If I had to do another one (I hope I don’t), I could probably shave 8 to 10 hours off the time.

The 4.0 is smooth and quiet, thanks to the Delta Cams kit. It also has plenty of part throttle torque and, unlike the worn out 3.0, gets up to highway speed without a downhill assist.

After the swap, everything works. I wasn’t sure it all would since there were some differences in the trucks. The donor did not have a tach but it works in the 4x4. Also, since the transfer case module is a standalone unit, the 4x4 switches work. Yes I am using the 2wd ECM.

All in all I am pleased with the results and damn glad it’s done!
 


RangerSVT

Oct 09 OTOTM
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
Solid Axle Swap
RBV's on Boost
ASE Certified Tech
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS Banner 2012-2015
Joined
Mar 15, 2009
Messages
7,883
Reaction score
53
Points
48
Location
TRS since 2002 - NW KY
Vehicle Year
19962002
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
GT-40 5.0L EFI W/AC
Transmission
Automatic
You still have the 3.0?
SVT
 

Tulsa Time

Member
Joined
May 22, 2008
Messages
147
Reaction score
1
Points
18
Location
Coweta, Ok (Tulsa area)
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
Was 3.0, IS 4.0
Transmission
Automatic
Still in the garage. It didn't make any noises but #3 cylinder had 0 psi compression. I haven't looked into why though.
 

RangerSVT

Oct 09 OTOTM
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
Solid Axle Swap
RBV's on Boost
ASE Certified Tech
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS Banner 2012-2015
Joined
Mar 15, 2009
Messages
7,883
Reaction score
53
Points
48
Location
TRS since 2002 - NW KY
Vehicle Year
19962002
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
GT-40 5.0L EFI W/AC
Transmission
Automatic
Id be interested in the injectors if your not using them, if they are dark blue or green tops...

SVT
 

Tulsa Time

Member
Joined
May 22, 2008
Messages
147
Reaction score
1
Points
18
Location
Coweta, Ok (Tulsa area)
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
Was 3.0, IS 4.0
Transmission
Automatic
They look gray to me. I would have been very surprised if a stock 3.0 had 36# or 42# injectors but wanted to look anyway.
 

RangerSVT

Oct 09 OTOTM
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
Solid Axle Swap
RBV's on Boost
ASE Certified Tech
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS Banner 2012-2015
Joined
Mar 15, 2009
Messages
7,883
Reaction score
53
Points
48
Location
TRS since 2002 - NW KY
Vehicle Year
19962002
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
GT-40 5.0L EFI W/AC
Transmission
Automatic
my 4.0 had 36's, and another member with a 3.0 said he had 42's...

SVT
 

Tulsa Time

Member
Joined
May 22, 2008
Messages
147
Reaction score
1
Points
18
Location
Coweta, Ok (Tulsa area)
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
Was 3.0, IS 4.0
Transmission
Automatic
Would have been nice. Sorry I can't help on this one.
 

CountryDriven

New Member
Joined
Jul 10, 2013
Messages
88
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Azle, TX
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
3.0
Transmission
Automatic
Hmm I'm considering a 4.0 swap as well...seems pretty straight forward. Awesome looking truck BTW!
 

red_ranger50

Member
Joined
Mar 21, 2013
Messages
38
Reaction score
4
Points
8
Location
Diamond springs Ca,
Vehicle Year
1996
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0ohv
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
1.25in
Tire Size
33
swap?

hey man im looking into doing the same swap but keeping the 2wd. what did you do about the differnet motor mount on the passanger side? exhaust clearance? was there anything that caused unforeseen issues? im new to motor swaps and iv been doing an ish ton of research but need all the help i can get.
 

RangerNielsen

Member
Joined
Mar 10, 2013
Messages
280
Reaction score
0
Points
16
Location
Issaquah, Washington
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
3.SLOW V6
Transmission
Manual
I'm looking to having the swap done on my truck as well. 3.0-4.0, manual 4x4 to manual 4x4.

Do you have any other information on the engine swap itself? Hopefully gonna have someone do it for me and wanna see if he's willing.
 

StufflebeamRC

New Member
Joined
Mar 11, 2019
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Location
Belleville, IL
Vehicle Year
93
Make / Model
Ford Ranger XLT
Transmission
Manual
Ok.... I have a 93 Ranger XLT; 3.0L with distributor; manual shift.

My 3.0 has over 250,000 on it and is really complaining about it. I have a 4.0L with a coil pack, with about 36,000 on it and ready to go in. My big Problem is a wiring harness issue.

All the wiring harnesses for the 4.0 that I've seen is like the one shown in the picture with the three blocks. However, the connector through the firewall is like the one in the picture on the right.

Any suggestions???

Thanks
Randy
 

Attachments

adsm08

Senior Master Grease Monkey
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
Ford Technician
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Sep 20, 2009
Messages
34,623
Reaction score
3,613
Points
113
Location
Dillsburg PA
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
31X10.50X15
Ok.... I have a 93 Ranger XLT; 3.0L with distributor; manual shift.

My 3.0 has over 250,000 on it and is really complaining about it. I have a 4.0L with a coil pack, with about 36,000 on it and ready to go in. My big Problem is a wiring harness issue.

All the wiring harnesses for the 4.0 that I've seen is like the one shown in the picture with the three blocks. However, the connector through the firewall is like the one in the picture on the right.

Any suggestions???

Thanks
Randy
I suggest you stop looking at trucks from 95 and up and start looking at 93 and 94.
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Kirby N.
March Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top