I'm so excited! The funds have been transferred...I'm picking up my Mountaineer tomorrow after 3pm. I tried to get it all taken care of before Friday, but it didn't work out that way.

My wife and I rigged the motor lift to support half of my bed. We then lifted and pulled the other half into position, and got it temporarily set in place on the frame.

This will allow me enough room to work on the Explorer, and have two motors and two transmissions in the same garage.

 

sweet man congrats

 

It's been hell trying to convince everyone this is what I really wanted to do. I had to put up with weeks of talking about gas mileage, future maintenance, and everything else. I'm glad I finally got the whole family cracked on my idea, and I'm anxious to show them what a Ranger is all about!!!

 

sweet!

 

Nice! Wish I had the determination/legal ability to do this. I can't wait to see some progress pics! Good luck man, it's gonna be hell on wheels when completed

 

I'm hoping to have the V8 pulled by tomorrow night, but it depends on how late I get it home. I'm excited and nervous at the same time.

I feel like I'm 4 years old on Christmas Eve again, waiting to hear Santa's raindeer's footsteps on the roof...only this time it's waiting to hear 8 ponys in the garage!

 

thats gona be awesome bro... post pics along the way!

 

Awesome! If I could/had the money, time, I'd put a mustang 4.6 in mine (cause they sound bada$$)........But if I have my truck long enough to need a rebuilt engine, i'll probably just upgrade the pistons, cam, etc. to get more power out of the 4cyl so I can keep the reliability and gas mileage.

 

I'd swap in the 2.3L DOHC.. and turbo it like what the mazdaspeed 6 and others use That way.. you'd get to use your current tranny and just beef it up.

 

Why go to all that trouble and still only have 4 cylinders under the skirt? My beast is gonna finally have some *****!

 

mustangs dont get horrible gas mileage, its just about how you drive it, i wouldnt waste money on a 4 cylinder....upgrade that jank


congrats on the v8

 

I'm really stoked to see this project man! Take lots of notes and pictures!

The Mustang 4.6L is a HUGE engine compared to the 302... it could be done, but would certainly not be the "ideal" candidate for a motor swap.

 

but could you imagine the sound of a kenne bell spooling up under the hood of a ranger. mmmmmm

 

Before you go rippin'-n-tearin' take some good close-up pictures of everything. You'll be suprised how many times you wish you could see how things were when it was all still together.

Greg

 

Actually, in his '00 2wd Ranger, it's really not that bad.

Greg

 

I am a photography addict! I will be certain to take hundreds (literally) of pictures of every step along the way.

Unfortunately due to bad weather today, I had to sit it out and wait until tomorrow to pick up the 'Ploder.

 

Cool. Glad you were ble to find one. I wanna 302 so bad!

 

Okay guys...I'm really excited now. When I made this thread, I was going off the idea of being able to contact my neighbor with a flatbed trailer in 10 hours. However, he didn't get off of work until 6pm today, and it was raining. That being said, I wasn't able to get the 'Ploder today.

Tomorrow we're meeting up at 3:30, which is after I get out of class and he gets off work. We're taking his flatbed and gigantic tow-straps he uses for this Camaro dragster out to pick it up!

 

For those worried about gas mileage mainly, plus it's different IMO- there is somebody on here with a turbo'd 2.3L lima.. Forced induction is just different than something N/A of the equivalent power, i like the pull and sound of my turbo but anyways, good luck with the swap!

 

there is someone on RPS.com making a little over 300hp with their turbo'd 2.5l and still getting around 22mpg if I remember right.