What's going on y'all? I just joined this site looking for education. Long story short, I've always been obsessed with the back to the future Marty McFly Toyota SR5 and I'm wanting to convert my 99 Ranger XLT to a replica, to a degree. I'm currently running a 2.5l 4 cylinder and I'm wanting education on the easiest swap I can do. Keep in mind, I don't have a sport so I do know a 4x4 conversation is out of the question, unless I do extensive fabrication. Now, if y'all know a way to convert it to a 4x4 on the inexpensive side then by all means, let me know. Essentially, I'm trying to compile an accurate parts list to do either a 4.0l SOHC or a V8 engine swap. Now, I do have general mechanical knowledge, (basic maintenance i.e oil changes, starters, alternator, serpentine, tune up, valve cover, fuel pump, water pump, breaks, fuel filter) but I lack knowledge on motors and transmissions. I'm not a huge gear head, but I'm willing to learn. Basically, I pretty much need to know what engine and transmission combo I should search for, along with the necessary compatible components to make the swap as seamless as possible. I'm not too concerned about fuel consumption because this truck will be a weekend driver, but any and all suggestions will be appreciated. Aside from aesthetics and appearance (light bars, head lights, grill guard, ECT) These are the plans that I have, and education that I'm looking for:
1) Off Road Suspension lift
2) beefier 500 HP engine (4.0l SHOC or V8)
3) automatic to manual tranny conversion

the questions that I have are as follows:
1) What engine should I put in to make the swap as headache free as possible?
2) Later down the road (Few years) I'm going to want to rebuild the motor, bore it out and add a supercharger and a turbo too the motor then either drop it back in the ranger, or drop it into something else to get up to 500 HP. A) would that be advisable? and B) what motor can be tuned to get up to 500 horsepower on a dyno test and be the best fit for the 99 Ranger as of now (4.0l SOHC or 5.0 or something else)
3) What transmission should I get for this swap?
4) Will the automatic to manual tranny swap be more expensive then just keeping it automatic?
if so
5) what automatic transmission should I get? 4R70W?
6) I'm not super loyal to Ford so I really don't care about dropping a Chevy motor into a Ford body, that being said, my main concern is building a 500+ HP motor to drop in this truck at some point. All I really need to know is, exactly what motor would not only allow me to get that much HP and performance but would make the overall swap of a motor and trans better/easier?
7) if I wanted to modernize the Ranger (automatic windows, Bluetooth sync capable, Bose speakers) how much of a pain is the wiring? Is it expensive? Can it be done?
8) at any point, will I have to reinforce the frame/chassis during this build?
If so, and I guess the overall question is:
9) What motor and trans combo should I drop in my 99 Ford Ranger XLT 2.5l that doesn't require reinforcement of the frame and chassis, will allow me to rebuild, bore out, and add a supercharger and turbo down the line, and will be the easiest swap with the least amount of headache? Basically, what exactly am I searching for in regards to a parts list. And I mean everything I would need (motor type, trans type, PATS, PCM, ABS,EVTM...)
Thank you and I hope I do hear back from the ranger community