I have a 1998 XLT Ranger with the 3.slow, 4x4 and a manual tranny. I want to do a swap to either the 4.0 or the 5.0. Everywhere I have read says that its basically the same amount of work for both, so I decided to start pursuing the 5.0 Swap. I found this thread, https://therangerstation.com/tech_li...er_ranger.html, and its a gold mine, but I want a manual transmission and the 4wd to work like stock. In order for this to happen, I need an f150 tranny and tcase.

If I were to use an explorer engine, and put in a manual transmission, I would need to reflash something to make it happy with the manual transmission. I need to do this because its used to an automatic. What do need to reflash, where can I get it done, and how much does that cost roughly?

Say I were to use the f150 engine, tranny, and tcase, that also means I need to take the PCM and wiring harness, right? Would it be best to just buy an f150 in this case, and use that for the axle swap?

What year f150 would be best to buy as a donor vehicle if I go that route? I would rather not have to deal with PATS, because I am absolutely clueless when it comes to electrical systems like that. I can fab up a fuel system, if it would be anything like the explorer swap.

Will the stick itself cause me clearance problems with the f150 transmission?

If anyone has any advice that would be awesome. It would be super awesome if anyone knows someone who has done a 5.0 swap out of an f150. I can guarantee I will have more questions as time goes on.

 

Welcome to the forum

Yes, you would only do a V8 swap as you can just go out and buy a 4.0l Ranger done at the factory so no value in doing that swap

You use a 1997-2001 explorer V8 because it has the lower clearance intake manifolds, F-150s are too high and won't fit under the hood
And while you can swap intakes you then need the wiring harness for that intake, so best to just get the whole engine, computer and harness from explorer

The V6 F-150(4.2l) has the same transmission bolt pattern as the 302(5.0l) V8 engines, the 1997-2003 have the shifter in the same place as Rangers, so its in the correct position
You need the manual trans with electric shift transfer case from the V6, your transfer case won't work, but you electric shift motor will just bolt to the new transfer case so system will work the same as before

The V8 F-150 from 1997-2003 is too wide to fit into Ranger engine bay, overhead cams
The 302/5.0l OHV is 19" wide and barely fits
The Modular V8s/V6s are 25-28" wide because of the overhead cams

Call local Speed Shops, they will know people who program Ford PCMs(computers), they can delete automatic software and PATS(if you want) and also tune it for better performance, $200-$300 maybe, varies by area of couse
You can also look on ebay for "tuners", in services

 

So I need to buy an explorer, and a trans and transfer case from a 97-03 f150. The trans is the m50dr2, do you know which tcase im after? Looks like theres the warner 1356 and the 4406. Will either of them work?

 

You can use either, the 97-03 will come with 4406, they both have same bolt pattern to 4WD transmission(must be 4WD trans) and both use the same shift motor as the Rangers 1354

4WD transmissions have a shorter output shaft and housing
Best to buy trans with transfer case, from a 4.2l V6 <<<must be from this engine to fit the 5.0l V8

 

Sweet, thank you. 1 more thing, will I need to do a custom exhaust for the 5.0? I cant imagine the explorer exhaust bolts right into the ranger.

 

1998 to 2000 Rangers were the same

So read here on the swap: https://therangerstation.com/Magazin..._v8_swap.shtml

It has details on exhaust, yes you do need to do exhaust work