Since I have to remove the motor in my 2003 FX4 4.0 to fix the heads and replace the head gaskets, I have decided to buy a low mileage used motor and install it while I take my time and rebuild the original motor. I know that this will cost more but I see it as a great opportunity to work with my 14 year old son on rebuilding an engine. In my area there are many engines available at a reasonable cost but there are many different varieties. Can anyone tell me which years of rangers/explorers would be a direct swap. I do understand that the intake will likely need to be swapped but otherwise will a motor from a 2006+ ranger work? and are explorer motors basically the same as well?

welcome to the forum!
first, i think that 2001 to 2007 rangers all had the same 4.0 that you do, which i think is a SOHC 4.0, so when you go looking, be sure that is the type of 4.0 motor vs. the OHV 4.0 in the earlier rangers iirc. i'm inclined to say that they same type of 4.0 will be a cleaner swap. now on the explorers, i think they went to the SOHC 4.0 a couple years earlier than the ranger? not sure, but maybe. i bet you'd want to have the whole vehicle as the donor if doing a expo motor swap. might consider doing a 5.0 swap as well in that case!

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1999 xlt 2.5l 5-speed Supercab 159k
83 diesel 2.2l na
06 F250 6.0l psd
{click for lol}

Nope you need 2001-2003 the wiring is different from 2004-2011. Also don’t waste time and money on a 5.0 swap there is a difference of 8hp between the 5.0 and the 4.0 SOHC


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2011 Ranger XLT 4x4 3.73 8.8" Trac-lok #1 T-bars, K -springs, LineX bedliner, General Grabber AT2's, Tonnopro tri-fold, CoverKing Realtree AP seat covers, OEM pre-keys, axle spacers, Bilstein 4600's, Hellwig AAL. Ziebart Undercoat
'98 Ranger XLT 2WD (sold)

oops! lol

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1999 xlt 2.5l 5-speed Supercab 159k
83 diesel 2.2l na
06 F250 6.0l psd
{click for lol}

Thank you both so much. Would an Explorer engine of the same year range work?

Also, If I am swapping intake and all peripheral components, what would be the difference with the newer motor?

You can use an explorer engine but not the intake, if you are talking just a block and heads then 2001-2010 works but you have to use your sensors, egr if applicable, because 2004 and up wiring and sensor changed 2005 and up has a different torque spec on the crankshaft pulley but I don’t think that effects anything else. 2011 is completely out because they changed the heads and intake which I have no explanation for since it was the last year of production. Also the head bolts and intake bolts are different and have different torque specifications then the other years.


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2011 Ranger XLT 4x4 3.73 8.8" Trac-lok #1 T-bars, K -springs, LineX bedliner, General Grabber AT2's, Tonnopro tri-fold, CoverKing Realtree AP seat covers, OEM pre-keys, axle spacers, Bilstein 4600's, Hellwig AAL. Ziebart Undercoat
'98 Ranger XLT 2WD (sold)

Last year of production on North American soil but everywhere else in the world the T6 Ranger went from 2011-2018 technically..

So it was likely the precursor for the newer "world Ford Ranger" .. Which now in return is the basis for the NEW US variant of the 2018.5-2019 Ford Ranger slated to hit showroom floors.

Thinking of getting one for a shop vehicle when they hit but kinda goes against my rules of waiting out the first 8mos - yr for the bugs to be worked out. Never been one of those waiting outside of Best Buy or box stores camping out for 2 days to be "THE FIRST OF" guy..

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