I am thinking about a 347 stroker or a 427w swap in my 04 Ranger 4x4. Looking for thoughts, ideas,and information on this. they are both small block v8's and think either will fit.

 

It will all have to be custom. Go for it.

 

I don't think 427s are usually small blocks.

 

It is when its a 351w stroked to a 427. You can also stroke a ford racing 351w block to 460ci but you better get some big small blocks heads that will flow enough to support 460ci.

 

do it

 

Any advise on the install?

 

are you going carbed? losing all newer electronics and stuff? that would be easiest.

make sure it's legal in your state, if your concerned about that.

 

I'm pretty sure you are going to have to make custom engine mounts for starters. Another thing to consider is the size of the engine and clearance of the exhaust/frame... I may be wrong but I would think that might be an issue.

 

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

 

Im looking at a msd basic fuel injected motor. nothing to fancy.

 

also a v8 swap has never been done in an 04+ ranger...IIRC you need to change to pre 03 wiring...wheres bob when you need him lol

 

well... it HAS been done. it isn't easy though.

 

Never is a little bit of an over statement lol. It's been done but yes you have to do some maybe electronic swapping.

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.

 

A 99~01 Explorer swap into a 04~06 Ranger should definitely be doable. You just have to be prepared to deal with the problems that WILL come up. My 2003 swap was more difficult than a 98~00 would have been and the 04~06 would add another dimension and then on to the 07~09 and 10~11 groups with increasing difficulty at each step.

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.