How reliable is the 4.0 SOHC engine for - 6 Cylinder Gasoline - Ranger Engine Tech

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How reliable is the 4.0 SOHC engine for #: 1613

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Posted: Wed May 1st, 2019 06:42 pm

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wh23g3g
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I'm looking to replace my 98 Ranger with another later Ranger since I can't afford the remake. Like a 2003+. I kinda wanted one with power windows, mirrors, and locks. So I have some features for the specific Ranger I want. I've got to have an extended cab with the rear jump seats even though they aren't likely to be used. I kinda was looking at the 4wd models since they tend to be more heavily optioned except the one I'm currently wanting to go take a closer look at. It's an 07 XL stripped down fleet truck. It's got the 4.0 SOHC and automatic. It is 4wd, non-limited slip. Plus it's manual everything and doesn't have the rear seats. It's got a little over 150,000 miles. But the price seems fair. I'm just wanting to know more about the 4.0 SOHC because it appears to be a quite complicated engine compared to the 3.0 and 4.0 OHV engines. We did have an 01 Explorer with the same 4.0 SOHC it was still running good at over 200,000 when we got rid of it. I remember the only repair was the thermostat housing that I know are notorious for leaking. I don't think we ever put a water pump or any ignition part on it other than plugs and wires. I see it has a timing chain on the front, a cam chain on the front and back. I've heard from various mechanics say that the guides start to break on high mileage and it's a good bit of money to do a timing set on it. I would be using the truck as a daily driver. But I only have a 5 minute commute back and forth everyday. I do drive a bit the two days I'm off but not always. I know the SOHC has more hp than the OHV 4.0 but not a huge difference in torque. So which is the best for reliability? Or do I need to look back to the 2000 model year as the last year of the 4.0 OHV?

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Posted: Wed May 1st, 2019 08:34 pm

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Just as an FYI. A five minute commute does not allow the engine components to fully heat up. You will be at a higher risk of sludging up the engine.

I work 2.5 miles from where I live. On my trip home I make sure I take a 15 to 20 minute ride to get everything up to temperature.

I try to ride my motorcycle as much as possible.

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Posted: Wed May 1st, 2019 10:14 pm

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wh23g3g
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Well my drive home is usually the only time it's 5 minutes. It takes about 15 minutes to drive about 5 miles in the morning. By the time I get to work the temperature is at normal operating temperature. When I go to lunch it definitely gets warmed up enough, because I usually drive further. Depending on the time I go to lunch the truck is still warm by the time I get ready to leave. Anyway it's already got well over 200,000 miles on this engine. The whole truck has 391,000 miles on it so I'm trying to find a replacement Ranger with at least under 200,000 miles.

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Posted: Thu May 2nd, 2019 02:43 pm

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JAMMAN

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Isn't it great we can get a Ranger with 200,000 miles and still expect to have it a while? I love these trucks!

You could play it safe and get a 3.0. If all you are going to do is drive it then they are perfectly fine. 1 or 2 better in fuel mileage too.

The 4.0 SOHC is a decent motor but your mechanic is right about the guides on the excessive amount of timing chains.

In my opinion the 4.0 OHV is one of the greatest little motors ever made, why the decision was made to replace it with a multi-cam beast for minimal gain is beyond me and that plastic t-stat housing was a joke at best.

The only problem is a good non twisted minimal rust 98 thru 2000 is becoming harder to find by the month.

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Posted: Thu May 2nd, 2019 05:50 pm

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Yeah I wanted 4.0 OHV because I know they are easier to work with. I had a 1992 that a 4.0 and it was fairly easy to do regular service and repairs on. The 3.0 probably too, but never had one. Although I hear from owners they are severely under powered in any Ranger. The 07 Ranger I'm thinking about going to check out is a stripped down XL. So I'm not sure it's going to be what I want. Plus it's from up North, which was why I wanted to check it out first to see how bad it is rusted underneath. I don't necessarily need a 4x4 in this area but they do seem to be the ones with all the options I'm looking for. I would be happy with a limited slip equipped Ranger but I haven't seen but one that wasn't a 4x4.

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Posted: Thu May 2nd, 2019 07:19 pm

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The 4.0 ohv is a good little engine. The 4.0 sohc is also a good engine. The ohv is very dependable as is the sohc. The early sohc is prone to timing issues. But the sohc is the more powerful of the 2. The sohc has a higher rpm range and more bottom end power. However the ohv seems in my opinion to get better mpg's. If I was going to swap one for the other considering the time and money involved. I would go with a 5.0

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Posted: Thu May 2nd, 2019 09:09 pm

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black06xlt wrote:
The 4.0 ohv is a good little engine. The 4.0 sohc is also a good engine. The ohv is very dependable as is the sohc. The early sohc is prone to timing issues. But the sohc is the more powerful of the 2. The sohc has a higher rpm range and more bottom end power. However the ohv seems in my opinion to get better mpg's. If I was going to swap one for the other considering the time and money involved. I would go with a 5.0
I agree 5.0L. I had rangers with both the OHV and SOHC. Both were great. 200k on the OHV before I sold it. 140k on the SOHC and still going, but soon to be a V8. SOHC is a bit more peppy than my OHV. The one thing about the SOHC is it has lots of plastic internals that can get brittle over time. I wouldnt reccomend swapping a high milage SOHC as a replacement. If you are going to pull your engine you are halfway to a V8 swap. Some members even claim better mpg afterwards.

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Posted: Fri May 3rd, 2019 10:05 am

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Eddie Money wrote:
black06xlt wrote:

The 4.0 ohv is a good little engine. The 4.0 sohc is also a good engine. The ohv is very dependable as is the sohc. The early sohc is prone to timing issues. But the sohc is the more powerful of the 2. The sohc has a higher rpm range and more bottom end power. However the ohv seems in my opinion to get better mpg's. If I was going to swap one for the other considering the time and money involved. I would go with a 5.0
I agree 5.0L. I had rangers with both the OHV and SOHC. Both were great. 200k on the OHV before I sold it. 140k on the SOHC and still going, but soon to be a V8. SOHC is a bit more peppy than my OHV. The one thing about the SOHC is it has lots of plastic internals that can get brittle over time. I wouldnt reccomend swapping a high milage SOHC as a replacement. If you are going to pull your engine you are halfway to a V8 swap. Some members even claim better mpg afterwards.
I had a v8 expo that got the same mileage as my 4.0. To me it seemed the 5.0 had more down low but the 4.0 had more top end. But keep in mind it was a factory 5.0. It shifted right when it was making good power

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Posted: Sun May 5th, 2019 07:14 am

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My wife had a 99 Explorer Sport which we purchased new w/the 4.0 SOHC & when we sold it the engine had 275K miles on it, her current 99 Sport has 105K miles on it.

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Posted: Sat Aug 24th, 2019 01:28 am

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My 98 XLT 4.0 4x4 has 146K on the clock and still as reliable as when left showroom. I'd have no doubts about a road trip to Las Vegas {I'm in NE Ga...} and back as for reliability.
Bottom line is how well the maintenance has been. You can have one w/75K and if it was treated shabby it will prolly let you know...and usually at the worst moment.
As for everyone wanting to go 5.0, y'all go ahead. Me? I'm happy with Little Red just as she is. ;)

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Posted: Sat Aug 24th, 2019 09:20 pm

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184K on original motor and still runs strong and QUIET(sometimes I forget it's running), doesn't burn oil, no timing noises, no vibrations, no leaks. Me happy.

Changed the plugs, wires and filter when I bought it.

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Posted: Sun Aug 25th, 2019 10:07 am

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I have been seeing more and more 2004+ trucks with the SOHC engine and over 300K miles
The SOHC is a good engine, I have never seen one blow itself apart other then the timing guides and chains.
if you change your oil and prevent them from getting hot they can last a good long time.
However finding a sohc with over 150K miles on it is a crapshoot unless you know the engines history....

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Posted: Wed Dec 11th, 2019 11:16 pm

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My 2002 currently has 495K original miles. I'm going for 500k before I pull it and rebuild. Got it almost new with 80 miles on it. Have run synthetic since day one. Still my daily driver.

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Posted: Thu Dec 12th, 2019 01:44 pm

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SOHC engine must have synthetic and they must have regular oil changes, this keeps the tensioners and guides happy so the engine will live longer....like 500K miles type of longer.
Fun Fact, I have never seen a sohc engine fail in the bottom end, the bottom end is like bombproof. It is ONLY the timing and components that lead to early life ending problems on these engines.... avoid the 97-99 engines. I personally really like the 04+ sohcs, they are awesome IF YOU TAKE CARE OF THEM

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Posted: Thu Dec 12th, 2019 10:42 pm

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410customs wrote:
SOHC engine must have synthetic and they must have regular oil changes, this keeps the tensioners and guides happy so the engine will live longer....like 500K miles type of longer.
Fun Fact, I have never seen a sohc engine fail in the bottom end, the bottom end is like bombproof. It is ONLY the timing and components that lead to early life ending problems on these engines.... avoid the 97-99 engines. I personally really like the 04+ sohcs, they are awesome IF YOU TAKE CARE OF THEM
Amen! Mine gotten synthetic since I got 156k and doesn't miss a beat. I've also been a bit mean to it as well (burnouts, â€œtop speedâ€ runs, heavy trailers lol)

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Posted: Fri Dec 13th, 2019 05:30 pm

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The last 99 Sport we had with the 4.0 SOHC that we purchased brand new we ran it to 275K miles before we sold it with me doing all the maintenance on it.

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