I've been thinking a lot lately. I want my ranger to become a project of some sort. I need some opinions. I want it to have a lot more power, and I want it to look street/sporty. I have plans to get a 302 from a local guy I know, rebuild it from the ground up, upgrade everything, and swap the 4.0 for it.

For looks, I planned on shaving door handles, tailgate handle, and my antenna, and then molding my body kit to fit with the frame flush. After all body work is done with I would get the whole truck repainted satin black with pen stripes down each side and make them meet in the middle of the tailgate. I would most likely get new rims, and tires.

Just because of the way I am, I don't see a point in doing some things like putting rims on, or lowering the whole truck when I have 300hp under the hood. Money is tight at the moment, and I understand that this will be a long project. I would just leave the 4.0 and make it look good (because God knows the 4.0 is plenty fast) but my engine has 190,000 miles. It still runs amazing, but who knows how long that will last and who wouldn't want a V8? (Not applying to you "Eco-Friendly" bastards)

Here are some pictures (below) of my ranger as it sits in my driveway.





Need some help boys?

 

If you got the hookup for the 302 go for it. Shavin handles and the antenna will look pretty good.

I think the satin black will look good on your truck. But i'd look up pics of different colors just to make sure that's what you want to do.

 

Yeah I think so too. I'll probably end up paying around $220 for the 302 itself, not including all the upgrades. Do you have any idea on how much money I should be thinking about when I'm planning on a satin black paint job?

 

That mf'er needs dropped lol

 

Depends on who you buy from, no idea what that color runs

 

you really need to lower it... the rear end for sure, the front COULD stay where it is, but i would drop it...

all badging needs to be shaved also... and i would put a billet grill on it, they look sexy with body kits

 

Definitely not dropping it. I will get a billet grill. I was thinking about just getting a leveling kit for the rear end. But heres a picture of the look I'm going for. Exact color.

 

LOWER IT! please I'm getting a nose bleed just looking at it haha

 

At least level the rear with the front.

 

you HAVE to drop the back... leave the front if you REALLY want to, but i think it would be better if you did both...

 

When you say "302" do you mean carb or fuel injected? I know that means more plumbing for the exhaust,maybe beefier front suspension, relocate the fuel line, brake lines radiator hoses, battery and anything else that needs relocated. That is lot to think about. Research it till you can't think straight. Lower it a bit in the rear and go with a larger rim and lower profile rubber.....fill that wheel well. Hope to see some updates...
Thanks,

 

Honestly man, you could level the rear of your truck and it will look great as it sits...or you could put a ton of time, money, and effort into it doing the other stuff you're talking about, and all you're gonna hear when people see it is...drop the rear and it'll look great.

 

actually, thinking about it, i would say leave the front suspension, the extra weight of the V8 in that front end, will drop the front probably 3/4 of an inch... look nice... as far as the handling, the soft suspension up front will help you for traction when going straight, as for body roll in the corners, upgrade your sway bar... the only thing is the front will sink like a mother if you stomp the brakes... if you do put the 302 in, do this before you level it, as nothing you put for suspension is going to be able to compensate perfectly for the weight of the motor, and you won't be sitting level after the swap...

looking at it again, with those rims, and that front bumper, you need more chrome to ballance it out... maybe something as simple as 06+ ranger badging on the fenders... or something like a chrome pin stripe, or chrome accented tail lights... there is no chrome to the rear of the truck, starting at the back fo the fenders, and other than what little chrome there is on your badges, there is nothing other than the front bumper and the grill/light suround... chrome plate frame and maybe tailgate handle might look nice too... just don't want to go too far and look like a walmart upgrade car...

 

Yeah thanks guys. I am for sure getting the 302, and it is carburated. It would be a lot easier to run carburated than running fuel injected. Besides, I like keepin it real anyways. But I'm gonna figure something out for the suspension. I changed my mind on shaving the door handles it just seems like someones invention of a virtual headache that I don't want to put my money in to. I'm spending 250 dollars on the motor. It will be fine when I get it, but I'm still going to rebuild it, paint it, and upgrade everything. I'll have to put some wider tires on the back. And as far as rims go, I'm clueless. I would like black inside, with chrome around the rim. I don't know anything about suspension or lowering it just right. I keep researching everyday so I don't waste my money or make too many mistakes. I'm definitely excited for the truck. It should work out (knock on wood). My plan is to take my time with the 302 rebuild and continue to drive with the 4.0. I would feel bad taking out a motor that still runs good after 190k miles. I'll definitely keep everyone updated as much as possible. I'll start a new thread when I get the engine with pics, and whatnot. And thanks again everybody. I can already tell you guys are gonna be a sure help with my project.

And another thing, Is there ANYTHING I need to know about some things I will need to buy for this engine to work in my truck? I've heard about oil filter relocation, and also something with the headers not fitting right requiring modification for that. Anything will really help. This is my first project, and maybe even a part list of things I'll need to get. Like, a new radiator for that engine. So far the only thing I know for sure is that the alternator in my truck now will work fine. thanks again.

 

the 302 lets look at the 89 5L HO, which is what i know, because that's what's in my mustang... they come from the factory with 225 60 15 rear tires... you don't need that big of rear tires... i had up to a 265 on the rear though, so i could stomp it... but you aren't going to spin those for long... i could spin the 245's and they stuck if i wanted them to... got out on me around a few corners, but weren't bad... as light as the *** end of those mustangs are, the rangers are 10x worse... i would do a 255, shouldn't have any issues... (mine had 2.73 rear and a 3.5? first gear)

 

the 255's would look nice on the rear end.

 

make sure you get a half descent height to it, and a good ratio of rim to side wall...

265 60 16 would look ****, or a 255 65 16...

i've said it once, i'll say it again... if you need me to teach you how to calculate metric tire sizes, i will... let me know

 

I think I want to go with the old mustang rims. Like the early 90's kind of white look? what demensions for tires are you thinking?

 

ummm how about this...

 

can anyone just show me a picture of the best wide street tires for a truck like mine?