Got a 3.0 V6 Auto in my 99, with about 92,000 miles on it. I've been racing my friends at our local drag strip and tired of getting my as$ kicked, the 3.0 is really the 3.sl0w, i kinda just thought guys we're kidding. Even off the race strip, acceleration sucks, and just compared to my first truck a 4.0, it's a real drag. so I was wondering what would be the best, and easiest V8 to throw in there and how much it would run me?

 

This has been discussed in many threads on R-F, about 3 of which were in the last week.

If you're serious about a V8 swap into a 98+ Ranger, do yourself a favor and read this entire thread. It has everything you need to know except price. That depends entirely on how you shop for the parts and whether you will be rebuilding and/or modding the engine.

 

302 with tko, t-5 or c-4

 

i forgot about that thread... im def.gona try and find a whole explorer if i can so i can do the swap in a weekend or less.


its just the easiest way. you could do it with older 302 and such but thatd be better for older rangers.. with newer ones there are too many comfort and security things to deal with if you wanna keep the new ranger feeling new

 

From the looks of your avatar, you've got a 4x4 on top of it being a 3.0L.. is it an automatic or stick? I'd get a 4x2 if you're wanting to drop in a 302 since you're racing the truck. But that's just IMO.

 

^Agreed.. but its all what you wanna do i guess. im doing it for power, towing, and badassness..lol

but you could be hardcore and beef up the 4wd/tranny/tcase and do 4wd launches :D

 

true true- a 5.0L AWD beast would be badass!

 

blah... I love my 3.0... just need a few mods you'll whoop ****...

 

^ that may be.. just need another company to step-up and make another 3.0 S/C

 

Yes, it was a badass, but now I am pulling the supercharged 302 in place of a supercharged, water intercooled, 351W. I wouldn't give up the AWD for anything! Mu ha ha ha...

.

 

Todd i wish you lived by me ..

 

I'm planning to put a Explorer-based FI 302 in my 2000 Ranger 2wd. I discovered yesterday that I threw a rod bearing, which means the motor is shot. There were metal fragments in my oil!


Do Explorer's only come with a C-4? I'd like more than 4 speeds, but will settle for whatever I find.

 

5.0 Explorers only came with the 4R70W electronic 4-speed.

 

it would be bad **** to get the NEW explorer 6 speed auto, but I bet thats a b*tch and a half...... :)

 

Yes, 6 speed is very nice, but modular engine only and I believe the new explorer is PTEC if I am not mistaken. Would be a big project for sure.

 

and a penny too! i wish my motor shat money..ha


im gona be in the process of lookn for trashed explorers with good motors and trany in late spring. i hope i find some good deals so i can get the swap done and use it in the summer. should be fun!

 

As far as the stock 4R70W, how are they as far as holding up behind a mildly modded 5.0?

 

im doing one now actually.. im swapping the entire drivetrain over to my 99 from a 99 4x4 exploder.. should be interesting.. hopefully it will only take a few days of alot of work to get it swapped correctly.. the rear end will come later.. just getting it running right and sorted out will be the biggest ordeal

 

The stock 4R70W is strong enough for a mildly modified 302. A simple J-mod or shift kit for the trans will allow it to handle plenty of power. Or you can get into it and tear it appart for crazy power handling.

I had a simple Baumann engineering shift kit (stage 3 of 5) in mine behind the 302 with Kenne Bell. It had no issues.

 

hey Todd, what was yer truckn run'n when it was at its best w and w/o kenne bell, hp, torq, 1/4 times etc?

just seeing what i could be at with some work into the exp. 5.0

 

I got a quote today for a 1998 Mercury Mountaineer with only body damage. It has 86K on it, and he wants $1000.

Does anyone know if there are any differences in the Mountaineer and Explorer other than fenders, hood, and front fascias?

 

Same vehicle under the skin.

 

^ word... and thats a damn good price too if that motor is fine.

 

That's what I was thinking myself...I just wanted to run it through the general public here at R-F to see if anyone disagreed. I'm going tomorrow afternoon after class to take a look at it, and hopefully make arrangements to have it towed to my house. IF I do get it, I'll take lots of pictures!