I've had a Ford Ranger for a few years now just sitting around, don't want to get rid of it because it seems like it is in decent body shape still. So i was curious of what kind of recommendations everyone would have, it was a 4.0, but like i said the tranny is junk and the engine has high milage...so, should i get a 302 and if i do, do i need better axels, if so what would you recommend, i need alot of help...and this is on a budget.

 

Tell us a little more about your truck. What year, what axles do you currently have?

 

If you are doing it on a budget I'd just fix the transmission and any minor issues with the engine.

 

He has a 4.0 so he has an 8.8 28-spline. Ideally he should get a 31 spline under there but he could run the 28 spline just fine as long as he doesn't abuse it. If you are on the budget for a 5.0 the cheapest way to do it is to buy the whole 5.0 Explorer and strip it. Buying all the parts from a JY or individually is expensive. If you have the whole truck you just swap everything you want over. You just need to buy all the adapters.

 

I don't know much, but it looks like he answered a good portion. I want it to be trail friendly, and i know of a 2.9 bronco 2 with 35's on it, what kind of opinions on that with an engine swap and a possible cheap lift to fit the tires under it?

 

we still need a year for more info.

 

welcome to R-F, Brandon!

 

It's a 1994 Ranger Ext. Cab with the 4x4. I know it's a 4.0 and that's about all i know...like i said, i was backing up on day and i heard a bunch of grinding... and than my uncle told me to put it in 4x4 and drive forward and that went out, and i just have more issues than worth putting stock things back into it...

 

I'm just taking a guess here but from the sound of it, the OP would be in way over his head on a 5.0 swap. He's better off fixing what he's got and learning through that process. Then later, once he's learned more, a 5.0 swap might be possible for him..


GB :)

 

I have a few uncles that know what they're doing so i'd ahve them help me with the swap, i just want to know if i'd need axels if i was to do a 5.0 swap. ANd i just want a cheap build up, i found a tranny in the junkyard for 300, but that would include the core of my old one, and engine has high milage, i need need new...some sort of joint up front i forget to keep my 4x4 working, needs brake lines...pretty much help all around if i stock with stock stuff.

 

i'm lost, but go to the v8 tech forum, you will get most of your questions answered there. welcome

 

Welcome to RF