My engine is blown and rather than scrap truck I'd like to buy a crate engine and do a swap. Anyone know where I can get a reliable V6 4.0 engine? I'm located in Southern California. Thanks in advance.

 

Welcome to the forum

Have local Machine shop build yours, local warranty
Remove intakes, valve covers, water pump, flywheel and drop it off

There were two 4.0ls
1990-2000 4.0l OHV
2001-2011 4.0l SOHC

Should be loads of Machine shops still around you, I grew up in Riverside in the 60's/70's, and there were loads of them then

Rebuilt 4.0l OHV runs $2,300
4.0l SOHC $3,200
Plus shipping

See what Machine shop quotes

"Crate" engine just means rebuilt, BUT.............it can mean modified as well, not just rebuilt

 

thank you for the info. I have a 2003 so it would be the v6 4.0l SOHC I guess from what you listed above. I've never pulled an engine and or took one apart but I figure between here and YouTube vids and some busted knuckles I can do a swap. Just not knowledgeable on buying the new engine, what I'm looking for when buying, knowing if I'm getting junk that won't last or truly a rebuilt motor. The prices you quoted is that average price on rebuilt engines? Or your estimate what it would cost to have machine shop rebuild? Thanks in advance for info.

 

Rebuilt engines are sold as Short Block, and Long Block
Short Block means the lower end: crank, rods, pistons and rings have been rebuilt, YOU need to add the valve train and heads to finish the job
Long Block has the valve train and heads installed, so you need to add the intakes, valve covers, and oil pan(usually comes with new oil pump)

$3,200 is what you will see on-line, so national average
Machine shop prices are Local, so you need to call a few to get local prices

If you decide to get one online, then MAKE SURE the warranty includes "Self Installation", some only warranty Shop(pro-mechanic) installation, get it in writing NOT just on a phone call
There will be a "CORE CHARGE", you need to ship your current engine back to them so it can be rebuilt and sold to someone else, then you get the core charge refunded

Local machine shop just rebuilds your current engine, and most if not all warranty self installation, but for sure ASK about that

Rebuild "kits" for the 4.0l SOHC runs about $500-$600, includes new pistons/rings, bearings and timing chains
So the LABOR is the most expensive part of almost any engine rebuild


You can rent an engine hoist, or buy one and resell it when done with it, look in local buy/sell or Craigslist, many people do just that, buy it, use it, sell it when done

Take LOTS OF PICTURES from different angles during disassembly, taking the engine out is the easier part, putting it back in and getting all the wires and hoses back in place is the HARD part, you WILL NOT remember

If you have an automatic you can ruin the transmission on reassembly if you don't seat the torque converter properly when mating engine and trans together, so at that time read up on how to do that, you won't remember if I tell you now, lol

 

They guarantee their work and the timing chain is included.That is why I replaced the 4.0 loter engine in my '04 Supercab. After an oil change,the mechanic showed me the broken plastic feeder for the timing chain and said it would cost $4,000 to replace the timing chain.The plastic feeder can't be replaced.

 

Thanks for the info. I will give them a call.

 

4 X 4 has an extra chain. Also something about VIN E

 

The earlier 4.0l SOHC engines(1997-2003) had an internal Balancer shaft with a chain drive, only used in 4x4s(Ranger or Explorer) it was added because the engineers thought the always locked/rotating front drive shaft would cause a vibration, Live Axle
But it was dropped in 2004 or so in the 4.0l SOHC engines because it wasn't needed
So it doesn't matter in swaps

 

The extra timing chain for the balancer shaft must have been eliminated before 2003. My 2002 does not have one and it is an early 2002. I bought it in Dec. 2001.