Okay guys, as the title says I'm working on a 1999 2wd 4.0l ohv Ranger (W/Bad 5r55e Transmission, who would have guessed that'd be the case) I stole the Truck at $300. I originally got it for the clean 4.0l ohv engine that had low miles on it to swap into my 1996 Explorer xlt 4x4 when my serpentine belt broke and overheated my exploders 4.0l OHV engine that had 240,000 miles on it, it already blew a head gasket before and had pretty bad pitting in the lower intake. I don't have any clue about how much damage was done when it got hot but I feel the engine has run it's race and I will be scrapping it after it's stripped of accessories and sensors.
I have searched all around for info on what all I could swap (Transmission, transfer case, front suspension all 4x4 stuff basically) from my Explorer to the Ranger(Basically trying to make the Ranger 4x4 or atleast salvage whatever 4x4 elements that are swappable). I really loved my Explorer and want it to live on in my FrankenRanger. I was looking at the front end and suspension and they look like they are the same dimensions and everything except the Explorer's upper control arm is bulkier and looks alot stronger, the hub looks the same. The 2wd Ranger's ball joints and bushings etc. look way more rough and worn than my 4x4 Explorer's do? I have already made the decision to swap the better, (I may be off on the spline count) 31 spline? Explorer 8.8 rear end regardless of the 4x4 interchangeability. (I'd do it anyways just to get rid of the Ford drum brakes on the Ranger) I pretty much believe I can handle moving the shock mount on it to make it work. I have looked all over the internet to see if my recently rebuilt 4r55e 4-speed auto transmission & transfer case would work if I swapped the ECU, GEM, harness/es, or whatever else would be required. I have seen so many different answers and smart *** comments (like why would you want to have obd1 when you have obd2?) Uh, ler me see... so I have a working transmission!? I've pretty much abandoned hope on finding the real answer to that question. I want either my 4-speed auto, (which I prefer simply because I know it's a reliable, strong transmission that was recently rebuilt, I know it's abilities pretty well and I don't have to aquire $1,000 worth of transmission and the other required elements for a manual swap) or a 5-speed manual M5OD-R1? I figure if the 4r55e is absolutely in no way capable of working I could sell it to buy a manual. The 5-speed 5r55e transmission is absolutely trash in my opinion and I can't wait to shred it. I'd scrap both vehicles and ride a bicycle before I'd consider wasting my time and money on the purchase and installation of a transmission that can't pull it's own weight over an anthill. I'm considering swapping the captain bucket seats. I was curious about if the cruise control might be compatable. (Jesus knows I loves me some cruise control) the dash bezel because of the 4x4 switch, the panel below the steering wheel, all the sensors, (called autozone and cross referenced part numbers to verify they are the same ✔ g2g) the rear bumper, Idk if the side mirrors (mirror only) can be removed and swapped but my mirrors are broken. If anyone has any valuable information on how to make the 4-speed transmission swap happen or required modifications to swap the front end out I'd really appreciate it. Any advice on easier ways to do this is helpful. This is my first project of this magnitude and I am really hoping it goes well I would like to see it through to completion and I feel like if my transmission can't be repurposed it's gonna take the wind out of my sails. Thanks in advance for any advice or assistance.

From trash to treasure

 

Even with all the parts you have, it's going to take a lot of money, welding, money, fabrication, money, parts and money to convert a 2 wheel drive Ranger to 4x4, It's not going to be bolt in, especially trying to do it with Explorer parts the frames are different, Did I mention ? It's going to cost a lot of money.

I really think you would be much better off going with your original plan of putting the Ranger motor into the Explorer.

That leaves you a 99 Ranger with no motor or trans, the perfect candidate for dropping in a 5.0 V8, or selling it for what you paid for it.

 

Okay, to start off with the bottom line. I don't care if you like rebuilding your transmission every 6,000 miles because of brand loyalty but I don't like pushing. I'd appreciate only helpful or semi-relevant responses. I love the body design and the complete look of my "99 Ford Ranger supercab. I love the design of the interior. Hell I'll go so far as to say Ford made one hell of an engine when they made the 4.0l ohv V6. It's a very dependable motor that is pretty much guaranteed to push 400,000+ miles if properly maintained. The thing is I bought my Ranger with a sh!÷÷ed out 5-speed auto transmission that I discovered after closer inspection had the transmission harness was cut but it's an automatic anyways so it's going to the scap yard to become something actually useful for once. I have put about $3,000 into my Blazer 4.3 Vortec and the market value on my Blazer is about $1,400 and da￦￦it man did I have some people disrespect the $#!÷ out of me with some of the offers I got when testing the waters, so I figured why take the loss selling it for nothing when I know it inside and out top to bottom? I was only going to sell it to fund my Ranger project, so why not drop my basically new, strong running, essentially Immortal Chevy engine in my Ranger and have the best of both worlds? I've heard that a 350 turbo transmission will bolt up to my 4.3 if I swap the bell housing? or maybe it was that it will bolt right up to it? Anyways I want a "99 Chevrolet Ranger supercab the 4.3 is a stronger better V6 that seems to have more torque and better fuel economy in my OPINION! I'm not here to debate about which one is better. I have a friend that's a good welder that will weld anything I need or want if I rent a welder. I planned on also swapping the rear end w/disc brakes from my Blazer and converting the transmission to manual. I'm not trying to break land speed records or tow train cars. I simply want maximum dependability and the ability to pull my fully loaded 10 ft. Utility trailer, four wheelers, bass boat, cherry picker, jet skis, etc. Without any questions that it will handle all of it all the way home. I know the 4.3 is the right instrument to do so and it won't get 8 mpg. If you have any vital or helpful information or any links that may list the required modifications. Any welding that's necessary or just helpful suggestions that would make my "99 Chevy Ranger a better soldier. All of that is very appreciated, it's been impossible to find anything about this swap and I'm thinking it may be a little rare. I'll just wing it and figure it out if I can't find the proper resources to guide me down the best road.

I'm gonna make something special out of this Truck I just can't quite make up my mind. I'm liking the supercharged 4.3l Chevy Ranger SS w/ 350 turbo trans though. I'm believing that'd be a sexually appealing beastly little truck.

 

I aquired my Ranger's organ donor today a 2004 Explorer 4x4 that has a rebuilt 2014 Mustang 4.0l sohc w/a 5-speed automatic transmission and an extra 4.0l Ohv motor that was taken out of it when the mustang motor was put in. My Ranger has a good 4.0l Ohv motor w/ a decent 132,xxx miles on it so It's going into the Explorer after I take the drivetrain out of it. It's way too nice inside and out to not do something with it but right now I need a work truck with decent fuel economy, dependability and towing capabilities way more than I need the 3 suvs in my driveway that can't make me alot of $$$ like a Truck can. Who has done a 4.0l ohv to 4.0l sohc swap? That can possibly assist me by telling me the biggest differences, possible problems that I could run into, the smartest, cheapest and easiest way for me to swap everything over and not have any unwanted technical issues pop up. Any welding needed is no issue. I have a friend that's a professional with almost any kind of welding I have both vehicles complete with all the ECUs, harnesses etc. Intact and operational. I shouldn't need anything extra for the installation huh? Except for the brackets for the shock mounts to swap the 8.8 rear end with LSD and disc brakes for the shitty Ranger rear end with drums. All in all I don't care about all the work it may take and it might cost me a little money to get it done the right way but I'm confident in the dependability of the motor and transmission, so I'm comfortable making the investment to make a good work truck that should last me quite a few years. I'm going to change the Transmission filter, shift solenoids, transmission fluid and transmission pan gasket when I put the Transmission in the Ranger. Q: all the motor mounts and transmission cross member etc. Should be the same right? I would think so. Anyways. All tips and helpful advice is appreciated. Telling me to sell all of my vehicles and buy another truck that I am clueless as to what may be wrong with it or unsure if it's going to jump time the week after I buy it isn't good or helpful advice in my opinion. I'd rather go with what I know.

 

I'm not sure what motor you have in that Explorer, but it's not a 2014 4.0 SOHC out of a Mustang, Mustangs only used that motor from 2005 - 2010

Again, I'm not sure what that 4.0 OHV came out, but it wasn't that 2004 Explorer, The 4.0 OHV was last used in 2000

 

Swaps happen. It's definitely an ohv.