Small block swap on my ranger.
#1
#4
#8
#9
Use explorer 96-01 V8 mounts and a 4R70W tranmission. You will need to add ~3/4" spacer between the plate and the block mounts, to lift the engine, so the 351W deeper oil pump will clear the steering rack. That will bolt the basic engine in place.
You will have to make a fully custom oilpan to fit. You can modify an explorer pan, just need the larger rear for the bigger main bearings.
Headers - 100% custom as well. No way will the torque monsters meet the needs of a 351W to 427W. I did 1 3/4". Going to 1 7/8" or 2" will be a stretch to fit.
I am maintaining all the factory EEC-V electronic controls and A/C. I had to have the 351W rot assy balanced to use a 351W 28oz flywheel and an explorer 302 50oz damper with the trigger wheel. Also have to make a custom oil pump drive / cam sensor, as the 351W oilpump drive is 5 / 16" hex vs 302 1/4". Need a bushing for the hole in the block too. The 351W is just a tiny bit bigger.
I have some old threads on RPS with pictures and all. Been a long while since i have touched this. All I need to do is assembly engine, lengthen a few wires, lengthen the A/C lines, and weld up my intercooler manifold. House, kids, life have gotten in the way of me finishing this, but I don't mind. One day...
Here you go - some of the links are dead, but this is what I have.
http://www.rangerpowersports.com/for...ap-233918.html
You will have to make a fully custom oilpan to fit. You can modify an explorer pan, just need the larger rear for the bigger main bearings.
Headers - 100% custom as well. No way will the torque monsters meet the needs of a 351W to 427W. I did 1 3/4". Going to 1 7/8" or 2" will be a stretch to fit.
I am maintaining all the factory EEC-V electronic controls and A/C. I had to have the 351W rot assy balanced to use a 351W 28oz flywheel and an explorer 302 50oz damper with the trigger wheel. Also have to make a custom oil pump drive / cam sensor, as the 351W oilpump drive is 5 / 16" hex vs 302 1/4". Need a bushing for the hole in the block too. The 351W is just a tiny bit bigger.
I have some old threads on RPS with pictures and all. Been a long while since i have touched this. All I need to do is assembly engine, lengthen a few wires, lengthen the A/C lines, and weld up my intercooler manifold. House, kids, life have gotten in the way of me finishing this, but I don't mind. One day...
Here you go - some of the links are dead, but this is what I have.
http://www.rangerpowersports.com/for...ap-233918.html
#13
If Bob replied to every "ImA gOnNa PuT a --INSERT RANDOM ENGINE THAT'S NOT AN EXPO 5.0 or a 351-- In MeH rAnGeRz. HOW DO I DO?!??!!!" thread then he'd have no life lol. I can't tell you how many of these threads I see every week. Myself included, I think my first thread ever was about swapping a 3.8L from a 90s Mustang lol.
End of the day only about 10% of those threads are serious with people actually starting to collect parts or even have the knowledge to do the swap. And even of those who have the means most swaps get put off and new completed.
#14
Many 98~2003 Ranger color codes were identical to those of the Explorer V8. There were a lot of color code and harness revisions with the introduction of the 2004 Ranger that would require some crossreferencing. A new 170 pin PCM and a complete harness tear up in 2007 model year means that this would be more difficult for 2007 and beyond. 2010~11 adds 4-wheel, 4-channel ABS, traction control and RSC to the mix.
There would surely need to be some modifications to make the 04+ speedometer work with the Explorer PCM and whatever transmission is used. I had to get creative with my 2003 even though the cluster is very simlar to the V8 Explorer's. The 04+ cluster is a different animal and it might be more of a challenge.
In my experience, PATS, ABS, speedometer and possible fuel system issues are the big hitters for any Explorer V8 swap into a 98+ Ranger. Research and planning can help avoid a lot of pitfalls but be ready for some surprises regardless.
Changing the cluster and harnesses over to an earlier year Ranger might be one way to make a later truck more compatible but my guess is that it would be a lot more work than just getting the newer stuff to cooperate.
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The Explorer 5.0 is the obvious choice because it was tailored to fit into a 2nd Generation Ex engine bay which has the same basic form as a 98+ Ranger. Any carbureted or injected small block Ford production or crate engine is also a possibility but each has its own set of issues. Many other V8's, Ford or otherwise, could be made to work but most are physically larger than the compact Windsors. There's just not a lot of extra space available with the AC evaporator box on one side, the steering shaft on the other, tight radiator clearance, etc. All of these problems can be overcome but, by comparison, the Ex 5.0 slots right in.
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