Okay... you can't tell me no-one has considered this: Swapping in a 4.6L/5-spd (6-spd?) from a SN-95 Mustang.

My truck is a '99 Mazda B2500, which I know is a Ranger and has seen Windsor V-8 swaps Ad Nauseam... so, it being a Japanese badge, I figure "Why not swap in a more 'modern' V-8?"

Any experience, wisdom and/or tips OTHER than "Just put a 5.0 in...!" would help. Thank you.

 

95 Mustang 4.6 = 145 HP
96-01 Explorer 5.0 = 210 HP

 

Yes, +1 ^^^^

Also the 302(5.0l OHV) engine is 19" wide, so fits, snuggly but fits, in the Ranger engine bay without removing or moving heater box or steering shaft

When you look at Over Head Cam "V" engines you start at about 25" wide up to 32" wide, so things have to go or be moved, also exhaust system becomes an issue

Anything CAN be done, it just depends on how much work you want to put into a project

The Explorer V8 swap was done because it was the path of least resistance, like buying a car/truck thats already built vs building one from scratch, which anyone CAN do, although getting it registered with all the safety inspection might be harder, lol

 

Every 4.6L/5.4L-T V-8 Swap I have read about, only seen one and not too close, there has been major remodeling of the engine bay, fender panels, shock towers, front suspension pieces.

It can be done, you need to spend a lot of time and money modifying the front end of your truck, compared to dropping in an engine that will perform as well as any 4.6, except maybe one with the bunch of valves per cylinder, i.e. Cobra !
The newer 5.0L-T... yes powerful, yes new tech, yes I like it too, but the same hold true as the 4.6L-T... a lot of extra work.

If you have no problem redesigning the front of your truck, start tearing thing apart and rebuilding and it should work out.

Keep us posted I would like to see your Swap completed !

OK back to 5.0L-W, sized to bolt in, plenty of kit available for the swap, PLENTY of power equipment to get any amount of HP you want, looks clean, can be dressed up, there is almost no reason not to use the Windsor 5.0, but that is up to you.
I've seen 5.0L-W turn the low 9 seconds at the drag races... they are a great design, with better heads they come alive and develop HP beyond your wildest dreams, so... my question to you is, "Why do you really want to use the 4.6L-T V-8, more than just Its another 5.0L Swap" ?

Good Luck with your choices, good luck on the mods, find a swap write-up and check it out !

Ltr

 

Hmmm... Maybe I should just go with what I feel should've been put under the hood, instead of the lackluster & then "crazy" 4.0L: The 4.2L V-6 found in the base-model F150. I under stand it's based on the 3.8L V-6 architecture, is of similar dimensions as the Windsor 5.0, and saw improvements & it's flaws fixed during it's last few years of production. ('03-'05) Plus, if I can reshape the rear coolant ports on the manifold & the later heads to match-up, there comes the option of a factory supercharger arrangement! All that stroke + forced-induction via liquid inter-cooled positive displacement blower = Who needs a V-8?

Btw: Anyone know of any aftermarket offerings for the Supercharged 3.8L V-6? Pulleys are nice, but for the sake of the adiabatic state (heat not generated or transferred) a bolt-on larger model blower is preferred.

 

I like the different approach you are trying to use, I was looking at the Ford Racing 4.3 V-6, but there are too many IF's, and I just like the "It Works" approach !
You need motor mounts, what trans works with the 4.2L, will the total package fit the Ranger, not only the engine bay but the trans location, the length, what about headers, and a wiring harness; a lot of questions.

For what its worth, the '93 5.0L in my '88 4x was great, all the power I needed before I decided I wanted more and I had no problem bringing the 5.0L-W alive with all the power I wanted or is that thought I wanted.

This will be an interesting build if you do the 4.2L V-6 but before you decide, check out where you are going and what you want to do AND is there upgrades for that engine to keep you happy !
You are going for more power, problems is you will always want more !

Ltr

 

Well, will you look at this...!:




Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the Aviator share platform with the Explorer? Which has a chassis/frame that's very-similar to the Ranger's?

 

No one is saying it can't be done, it all depends on your fabricating skills.
The 96-01 Explorer 5.0 is almost plug and play.

There are guys out there that have put Ford Power Stroke diesel engines in their rangers.

The 02 and newer Explorers are bigger than the older Explorers and have a different chassis, the 01 and older Explorers used a chassis similar to the Ranger.

 

OK, you're all set then, follow the video and you should end up with something that is >/= to the Truck's Truck !
I just rewatched the Rolling Thunder Videos, they don't tell you much, I guess I forgot what I saw on the show.
They don't show the motor mounts needed or the amount of fab work needed, it was mentioned motor mounts and tran mount/cross member will need facing but not how to do it. Not to mention the amount of engine bay work required to get that WIDE engine in there and back enough to get help with the weight balance.

The end results are impressive... yes, but getting there will take some time, and I didn't know the Mercury had a car with that engine, that is a nice thing.
After rewatching the video you posted I searched for additional videos in that series but they went from old engine hanging over frame in the first video to a running truck with a new crate motor, WHERE's THE FAB ! How did the "Aluminumator" Engine get in there !

I thought there was an in-between video that showed actually putting the engine in the frame but I guess I was wrong, if you happen to find one let me know.

And yes I watched that series on Trucks while it first aired and it did interest me too, but my fab levels were not in my ball park, and pulling the cab off to get it done... NOT going to happen ! Especially without enough info on just what happened and why.

Good Luck on the project, I think it will be a good one even if you only get about 350 HP it will move the Ranger really well, not to mention the extra Torque.

Picture please as you progress, I like a good project !

Ltr

 

Yes, the Lincoln Aviator used the NEW larger Explorer platform, 2003 - 2005/6 then in 2019, so not the same size as the 1983-2011 Ranger platform

The 302/5.0l OHV engine was 19" wide which is why it was used in the 1996-2001 Explorers, it fit

Its the width that is the limitation, the heater box can be modified or eliminated, but the steering shaft is the harder thing to move over to fit wider engines in Rangers, it can be modified, just another thing to do on a swap that has many other things to do, lol

 

After seeing another engine swap in a Ranger where they took the heater out completely and replaced it with a Vintage Air System, which I think made a nice open engine bay... 351 Cleveland or maybe a SVO 351 Boss stroked to 427 cu in... LoL, all in how much you want to fab it up !

IF I ever get to my 5.0L-W Swap, I'm thinking replace the heater will be a number one priority.

Ltr