Swapping a (blown)1997 4.0 with1998 2.5

[9798ranger]

What will I need to do for this to work. I was told by a friend on FB that I can just switch the motor and wire harness and be done. If anyone could give me insight on this it would be much appreciated. Also the truck I am putting the 2.5 in has the 5r55e. The truck the 2.5 is comming out of has a 4r44e wich will be getting sold or I will rebuild. Do I use the same torque converter that is on the 55r to conect up to the 2.5? And do I keep the flex plate on 2.5 or swap. ( will be replaceing rear main/oil pan seals. Thanks ahead of time!!!

 

[RonD]

Welcome to TRS

Your friend is wrong, well missing a few things

4.0l and 2.5l have different transmission(bellhousing) bolt patterns, so 4.0l trans won't fit on a 2.5l engine, or visa versa

Also the 4.0l computer can't be used with any other engine size
So you need the 2.5l computer, and yes its engine wiring harness
And since the 2.5l uses a 4R44E transmission, the 2.5l computer needs a 4R44E transmission so it can control it

So you need the engine, transmission, computer and wiring harness from the donor vehicle
There was also a Generation change 1997 to 1998, so the 2.5l computer will expect 55psi fuel pressure at the engine, 1997 and older were 30psi.
So may need the 1998, or up, fuel pump assemble and its wiring harness, but not sure

You will also need the cross brace in engine bay for the 4cyl motor mount on drivers side

In my opinion...............You would be better off fixing the 4.0l engine and sell that Ranger, then buy a 4cyl Ranger if that's what you want

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Id sell the 2.5 and buy another 4.0 honestly

 

[stsalvage]

My one question is WHY would you go downhill the 4.0 is like the going from a Best you can get to a really lame duck. Yes, the 4.0 in that small space looks hard to work on But after you see how easy it is to work on you will think Dam that was dumb of me

 

[19Walt93]

I agree with the guys saying fix the 4.0, it'll probably be easier, cheaper, quicker to do, and you won't end up with a big power loss. If the 4.0 is completely fragged I'd look for a rebuildable one before going through a complicated swap like you're thinking about.

 

[stsalvage]

The funny thing with the 4.0 motors 1990 was the first year and the end of are 4.0 motor that will work in the 1990 ford rangers or ford explorer is 1997. One guy said to me you can't put a 1997 ford motor in a 1991 ford Truck or Suv All you have to do is block the Nox hole with a freeze plug that is the only thing different other than the plastic intake and the different Coil pack but the long block is the Same engine or motor you can get them from the Ranger or Explorer the explorer would be better cus people don't beat them up to back in the 2 wheel drive. The reason I would rather get it from a 2 wheel then a 4X4 4x4 beat the sh-t out of the motor and work it to death on High RPM's. But I could be wrong since I've never owned a 4x4 before then I;'m off my meds

 

[adsm08]

The funny thing with the 4.0 motors 1990 was the first year and the end of are 4.0 motor that will work in the 1990 ford rangers or ford explorer is 1997. One guy said to me you can't put a 1997 ford motor in a 1991 ford Truck or Suv All you have to do is block the Nox hole with a freeze plug that is the only thing different other than the plastic intake and the different Coil pack but the long block is the Same engine or motor you can get them from the Ranger or Explorer the explorer would be better cus people don't beat them up to back in the 2 wheel drive. The reason I would rather get it from a 2 wheel then a 4X4 4x4 beat the sh-t out of the motor and work it to death on High RPM's. But I could be wrong since I've never owned a 4x4 before then I;'m off my meds

I didn't understand about 3/4 of that, but what I did understand was wrong.

 

[Ranger850]

I didn't understand about 3/4 of that, but what I did understand was wrong.

The last few words of that run on sentence explains a lot.