I have been lurking for quite some time, and have found alot of the the info I think I need for the swap I want to do. However, there are a few that I still need opinions or preferably someone else who has done what I want to do...

So basics...
1991 Ranger XLT Standard Cab 4-cyl/5-speed *with factory A/C delete*

I want to swap in a early 90's Mustang/Lincoln 5.0 with AOD, keep the EFI, and I want to ADD A/C as this will be a daily driver.

Is my heater box the same as the one that has A/C?

Should I try to piece together a "stock" based A/C system or would I be better off getting an aftermarket "kit". I would really like to make it as stock as possible, plus most kits I have seen so far are a bit pricey.

If anyone knows of a good(lots of pictures...:)) build thread for my gen Ranger could you please point me towards it? I have lurked several sites, and have yet to find someone with my "unique" requirements. But any good build thread for my gen would be awesome.

Thanks for looking, any and all info would be greatly appreciated.

 

No your box will more than likely be different, You will need to swap the box out as well as the HVAC controls in the cab. Odds are the wiring is a touch different to so a dash harness may not be a bad thing to grab even if you just graft what you need onto yours

 

Thanks, I had a feeling about that, especially changing the dash controls. I'm not squeamish about wiring, so I'm not worried about that. I just wasnt looking forward to pulling the dash...lol. Of course I am not sure if that is necessary, but will probably make things much easier.

Still in the planning phases obviously, so this will give me something to think about.

 

Pulling the dash is actually an easy process. Go to your local jy and pull a few so you know where all the bolts are

 

Great advice on JY "practice". I worked part time for a body shop several years back and used to go "junkin'" on a regular basis. Havent been to one in years though. Sadly most of the "good" ones around St. Louis almost require you to take a friend(strength in numbers), as you get toward the back of the lot it can get kinda "shady". Plus with two bad knees and a bad back my days of endlessly wandering the yards for fun....yes I had GREAT times in junkyards, and even searching random trunks(amazing what one can find)...are somewhat behind me. That and for some reason I dont remember seeing too many 1st gen rangers...I guess most places crush them...I don know. That was why I was hoping someone did a write up with lots of pics.

Obviously I am not new to this, just this board, well posting at least, been lurking for around 4 years. I have pulled many a dash in different vehicles, and in nearly every instance I did practice on a JY car.

My particular Ranger is my late father's, so it has sentimental value. If not for that, I would just search out one that has already been swapped....and I may just do that eventually, then pull everything for my truck. I dunno, I'll keep searching forums and craigslist, plus I still have to build my garage. Like I said this is just planning, I am not a pro mechanic, so I research as much as I can. For example, I had to replace the lower intake manifold gasket on my wife's lumina....researched that for MONTHS before digging in(for those that dont know that job required quite a bit of R&R, including push rods to get to the LIMG).

Regardless, thanks again for the info. Now if I could find a build thread for my gen with lots of pics I will quit bothering ya'll.....:)

 

I hear ya on the shady JY situations. I used to live in So-Cal where the u pull it lots were in some tough places

I cant imagine its that hard to do. Might be able to graft the wiring in with the dash in place