I have a 2000ranger, originally with a 2.5, bought the shell for a V8 swap.

Donor is a 97 mountaineer with a 5.0

I need a battery to fit the ranger that will crank a 5.0 stock

I need a battery for the mountaineer to get it home.

I would like to get a battery that will fit the ranger and just use it to get the MT home since I will only need the MT battery for about 5 hours.

All the info I looked at says there is no battery that "fits" both vehicles exactly, ranger takes a "size 58" and mounty takes a "size 65"

What should I do, will any of the options for the Ranger crank the 5.0 properly and will they fit in the MT if I use a bungee strap for the trip?

Sounds like a silly question but I don't have access to the MT to just plop it in and it is so far away I want to buy it before I go and have the original owner put it in so I can get there, grab a title and leave.

 

You can use stock Ranger size battery for the MT.
MT battery size is based on its electric system not the starter, MT had loads more electric options than a Ranger, also engine compartment size.

Ford Battery list here: Ford Battery Reference

You will see lots of size "58" used for 5.0l engine vehicles

CCA(cold cranking amps) is what you need, 540 to 600, is fine for 4cyl to V8 gas engine

 

OK thanks, going with a size 59 they say will fit, 590CCA and it should start the mountaineer and get it home before finding its final resting place in my ranger. Thanks

Dang what happened to battery prices? I remember getting batteries for under 50 bucks. 122? Wow.

 

And beer was two-bits, 25 cents, lol.

 

Rural King and menards have good battery prices. I bought a battery at Menards for under 100 bucks to start a buick rendevous.

 

They had an autocraft gold 610CCA that fit the ranger, bought it for the mountaineer. Guy said it dropped right in.

Core charge on a battery used to be 6 bucks. They charged me 20 till the guy brought the old one back. Guess I've been buying complete cars for too long have lost track of prices.

You do know I used to walk 20 miles up hill to school, uphill both ways. In bare feet. Aaahhhh those were the days.

 

My Dad actually did walk to and from school uphill BOTH ways.

My Grandparents, his dad and mom, lived on a House boat on a river in Tennessee.
When Dad got up in the morning he would walk uphill/upriver, to school.
Grandma would motor the house boat upriver, past the school, during the day.
So Dad would have to walk uphill/upriver after school to get home.
At night, after he got home from work, grandpa liked to fish so they would float down river.
Next morning.........yup, uphill to school.

True story, but grandma said it was very flat not than much of a climb, lol, and maybe a few miles.