I've been searching for info on that swap from a 2010 Explorer (with tranny for less than 2000) to put into my currently-being-resurrected 2003 Ranger.

My 5R55E tranny won't fit, so it's a great idea to have that 6R60 in that combo.

How difficult is it to transfer everything over electronically from Explorer to my Ranger?

Going from 207HP (2003 4.0L SOHC) to 292HP (2010 4.6 Modular) with similar gas mileage sounds appetizing, so I'm cruising the menu, for now.

Are the motor mounts similar? I'll probably need to fab a new tranny crossmember.

Any input is awesome.

Thanx all!

 

I would look at the WIDTH of the 4.6l engine
302(5.0l) is 19" wide, and fits in Ranger engine bay but still a tight squeeze
4.6l SOHC is 28.5" wide
4.6l DOHC is 30" wide

So get out that tape measure, heater box will need to be removed, and steering shaft will need to be moved
Exhaust may have to run outside the frame rails

The electronics are not a big deal but after 2004 you have to keep the instrument cluster, and computer together or have Ford "remarry" them(computer will not allow engine to start without correct instrument cluster connected, no cluster = no start, wrong cluster = no start), you would need a 2004 or newer Ranger instrument cluster if explorer cluster won't fit, and have Ford Dealer "marry" it to explorer computer

Loads of different "flavors" of the 4.6l, read here: The Ford 4.6L (281 CID) Engine : The Ranger Station

5.0l Coyote build here, same width as 4.6l DOHC: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...96-ranger.html


IMO, you would be better off building a nice skinny 5.0l(302), with a tuned computer, loads of performance parts for the 302

 

Ron, you're a bottomless well of useful info! Thank you.

Looking at the dashboards of my Ranger with later Rangers..they look identical, but damn. The work involved...

Ow.

I'll be searching the forums for a 2003 or later 302 swap for my little guy.

According to Wiki, the 302 OHV stopped being offered in Explorers in 2001; too early for a smog-legal swap. Too bad because I hear it's almost a direct bolt in.

MOAR REASEARCH!

Thanx Ron

 

If you are in Kalifornia you are screwed by CARB. You will need to go with an older Ranger to get the 96 to 01 v8 explorer swap. The 97 is almost a direct swap between the explorer and ranger. For an '03, stick with stock if you are in a EPA controlled area.

 

Yeah. SoCal.

Thats why I was looking at the later years in V8s.

I’ve contemplated the Coyote swap, but in review of the installs from before, that’s a huge commitment.

I’ve been spying the 2.3 ecoboost from a wrecked mustang.

...and put a catch can on it 👍🏻

 

Yes the Mustang 2.3l ecoboost has some good HP numbers, 310hp on 91/93 octane, 280hp on regular 87 octane, at the crank of course, lol

The Ranger's 2.3l Duratec can be turbocharged, probably a less expensive undertaking that a swap

 

Turbo duratec or Ecoboost definitely sounds like the best reasonable option to me. Either one is a pretty major swap, but you don't have the HUGE fitment issues of the modular V8's.

 

That Duratec engine...Is it GDI?

If so, it looks like a catch can on this, too. No biggie, but the rest being ECU changes.

I understand it will mate up to a 5R55E!

This might be a definite avenue. Meow, about that turbo...

MOAR RESEARCH!!!

Thanx guys!