Trying to put an 302 v8 engine in my 2006 ford ranger i’m trying to figure out if it will fit and the wiring harness i need for it.I haven’t swapped an engine before but I think i’ll be ight.And the transmission if you have done this swap please let me know thank you everyone.

 

2003 or earlier Ranger is less trouble, just FYI
2004 and up Rangers used digital dash which doesn't work without its engine computer, and you have to change computer to a V8 model which can't run a digital dash

Only the 1996-2001 Explorer V8 5.0l(302) will fit, later model V8s are overhead cams so too wide, they also have a lower upper intake that fits under Ranger hood
The 302 is 19" wide and barely fits
Later model V8s START at 26" and go up to 30" wide
You can remove the heater and use u-joints to move steering shaft over, but there would still be a few fitment issues, its a small truck, not an F-150

I would look around, Google, 2004-2011 Ranger V8 swaps to see what others have run into

But I wouldn't do it, sell it and get an older, 2003 or earlier, Ranger for the V8 swap

You can read about those earlier year swaps here: https://www.therangerstation.com/tec...versions.shtml

Found a picture of 4.6l V8 next to the 302 V8: https://www.ford-rangers.com/gallery..._090000000.jpg
Pretty easy to see the difference in size, lol

 

so you don’t think i could be able to swap it in my ranger and is the digital dash that important or could i just redo the whole dash or get a 2003 dash and jus redo the whole thing

 

You would for sure have to redo the whole dash and wiring but as said I would find post by some one who has done this swap on a 2004-2011 Ranger, I haven't, I just know what inside them
Could be less complicated than I think it would be

 

alright i did find someone with a 2004 ranger that did it but the biggest problem i am facing at the moment is the transmission because i want the 5.0 v8 explorer engine but i also want to keep the ranger manual

 

Ranger manual won't work, can't bolt up and its too small for V8 power
Rangers used the M5OD-R1 manual transmission
Ford used the larger M5OD-R2 for the full size trucks, so they can handle the V8 power

The 5.0l OHV used Windsor bellhousing bolt pattern

And as luck would have it the 1997-2003 F-150 4.2l V6 engines used the same bellhousing bolt pattern AND came with M5OD-R2 manuals in 2WD or 4x4 versions, need transfer case with trans if you have a 4x4

And the shifter comes up thru the floor at the same place as the Rangers is now
One heads up, the bolts used on 4.2l bellhousing are metric, 5.0l OHV uses SAE bolts, so are slightly larger, you need to drill out the 6 holes by 1/16", so not a big deal but better to do it ahead of time, lol
Ranger clutch master works with R2 clutch system

Explorer V8 computer only came with automatic trans software, every thing would still work but CEL would be on all the time, because of transmission codes
Ford computer "tuners" can delete the automatic software, call local Speedshops, they will know people that "tune" Fords

 

so in order to do this whole thing right and everything to fit I have to first get a v8 engine ford explorer 5.0l and with that i have to get a ford transmission 1997-2003 with a 4.2l v6 and then also cut the driveshaft or modify it to make it fit or do you think i should just get a ford f-150 engine v6 with a ford manual transmission would that be the easier option to go for

 

what if i used a f150 1999 transmission 5 speed but it’s a 8 cyl will that still work for the explorer engine?

 

No, the only manual transmission that fits in the Ranger and bolts up to the 5.0 Explorer is from the 97 - 03 F-150 4.2 V6

 

alright but he said that i need to make the holes a little bigger won’t that just be hard to do.Or could I take it somewhere to get them drilled a little bigger?

 

1999 F-150 used a different V8 so won't match 5.0l OHV both pattern


If you have a drill its easy to drill out the holes