First time to the forum... thanks!

picked up a 98 2.5l 4cyl 2wd 5 spd about a year ago. been wondering what to do with it.

turns out there's plenty that can be done... however i seem to be lacking in peeps that are willing to do what i need / want done.

so here's the what's what currently.
trans, ball joints, control arm bushings, front bearings, and brakes all need work.

not a lot...

here's what i would like to do...
swap the 2.5 for something bigger.
lift, convert to 4wd if possible

after that, it's all esthetics. gotta look as good as it'll go.

the problem is, i'm no mechanic. i can do a few minor things, but when it comes to the major upgrades, i have to rely upon others. and... as stated above, i seem to be lacking in mechanics out here that are willing to even entertain the idea that the truck is worth the effort
" can't be done", "can't get parts", "truck isn't worth it", "buy a toyota".

to be honest... i'm getting a little ticked off about it.

Rangers are epic trucks, and i don't care about the money. more money means more time i'd have to save in order for the work to get done.

first off... transmission needs replaced / rebuilt.
might as well do clutch at the same time.

but... if i'm to replace the transmission, why not upgrade it.
if i do that... might as well do the rear end too.
if i'm to do that... why not convert to 4 wd?

somebody please help!

what would fit... what would work... and if it can't be done, then for the love of all things holy... please tell me why and what will.

 

The 5spd used in your truck is pretty stout, especially behind the 4banger. I would just put a new clutch in it and be happy.

Best bang for your buck power wise is a v8 swap. Explorer v8s are easiest swap ("easy" is a relative term).

4wd conversion can be done, but is a major PITA on cool sprung trucks due to the integrated cool buckets in the frame. Best bet is a solid axle swap, but you still may have to cut out the cool buckets and plate over them (depending on what suspension you choose to run).

 

clutch, slave, and rebuild on transmission was the idea... were i to swap in the v8, would i then need to do anything with the transmission / rear end? or could i simply keep the one thats in there...? (looking into it tells me its not something i should do with this little truck... best to have a 4l to start with if i'm to do an engine swap)

 

Here's some more reading for you.

https://www.ranger-forums.com/2-9l-3...-2-3-a-149296/

https://www.ranger-forums.com/8-cyli...l-swap-149238/

https://www.ranger-forums.com/2-9l-3...t-swap-149223/

https://www.ranger-forums.com/8-cyli...8-swap-149177/

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech...er_ranger.html

What ever you do, it's probably best to buy the whole donor vehicle _ rebuilding the engine on the donor would be a good idea too.

 

awesome. appreciate the links

 

You're welcome, but don't let on that you don't care about money (cost), you'll get taken to the cleaners.

 

lol no worries there. i only say that on the forum here to you guys to let you know i'm kinda serious about this. those links are some good reading, and am already looking for a donor truck. thing is, the donor explorers i'm finding (for reasonable cost), the engines are well over 300k. the trucks are cheap enough, so just to find a reasonably affordable mechanic willing to do the work. many thanks again for the links!

 

Now's the time to learn how to rebuild an engine, it's not hard.
The machine shop does most of the work, you just have to assemble it back together.
How's complete is your tool box ?

 

i'm no mechanic by any stretch of the imagination... my box is mostly unused or useless tools atm... this is a truly intimidating task for someone like me to do on my own

first off i imagine i'd need a few manuals of the right sort

 

Welcome to the Group.

Glad you found us. There are lots of people in here to help with mechanical stuff. There is a section with some stuff in it as well. All good information in here. Hope you get your things done. Nothing is impossible. It just might be hard, expensive, time consuming. Those that said it can't be done. Didn't want to put in the above. You can find a way.