I have a 95 f150 with a 302 and the e4od that I've been planning on pulling and rebuilding then dropping into a step side ranger. Nothing fancy until later on. I'm just not sure which year would be easiest to swap into. I'll be getting help from a couple people when I actually do the work but I want to know how new I can go without having to do anything too crazy and which years would be easier than others and why you think so. I'll be using the f150 as a donor truck but if theres anything I should make sure I get when I buy the ranger shell please include that info too. Also interested in changing the rear end of the ranger with an 8.8 from an explorer, but not sure if I could use the one from the f150? Haven't done anything this big so any info or links would be appreciated

 

Welcome to the forum

1993 or 1994 Ranger, used the same PCM(computer) 60-wire, 1995 and up Rangers use 104-wire, but doable

1992 and older were 2" narrower than the 1993 and up

1995-2003 are doable, and wiring changes are not that bad, you just won't need all of them, lol

2004 and up are out, HEC Cluster in these and up, killed the easy swaps

Your f150 axle is too wide, would look out of place

The 8.8" ranger axles can handle V8 power all day long, no need for explorer axle unless you want the disc brakes
Axle issues come from tire size not engine size

 

You're gonna need an Explorer lower and upper intake, there's no way an F150 upper intake plenum is gonna fit under the hood of a Ranger.