My 2003 Ranger 3.0 Edge
 

New here, so here are a couple of pictures of my 2003 Ford Ranger 3.0 Edge. Just rolled over 150k and unfortunately had to have the trany rebuilt. Deleted all the chrome, tinted windows, new black rear bumper, all light bulbs swapped for LED's. Torsion bars were cranked to gain some height in the front to level it out somewhat.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.ran...031185073d.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.ran...7ac8c29985.jpg

Looks good, I started with the same truck, changed the bed, lifted it, added 33's.

Short Beds look good Lifted !

thanks the end goal is to get a SHO motor into it when the vulcan croaks. Though not planning on doing that for awhile.

My 3.0L only has 104K on it, run decent, no the best gas mileage but I don't drive as much as I used to.

Start planning now, find the right motor, get all the parts ready, read the instructions (if you can find some) get the tools ready or look for a shop to do it !
once you get it all together, just do it, waiting for a 3.0-SLOW to die may take some time.

Nice truck, take care o fit and it will last.

p.s. I wouldn't try to talk you into a 5.0L... BUT at least look at the cost for both installs before jumping.
The SHO Vehicle seem very powerful and will work, and I had the idea of the SHO Motor too, but the sound of the 5.0L... says it all !
Luck

ya I've looked on how to do a SHO and there is almost nothing out there I can find. Which I feel would make it a unique swap (which means even more work) though a 3.0 SHO is the same block as a 3.0 vulcan which I belive makes the mounting spots the same and also the bolt pattern for the transmission the same (though I wouldn't keep the stock transmission for obvious reasons). Honestly I'll probably be doing a manual swap before I put in a SHO. I've already had my transmission go out on me and these transmissions from what I've read fail at around 150k miles. Depending on the shape of the motor at that time I'll figure out whether or not that's the time to do the swap.

So the blocks are the same, the SHO mounts sideways, the Ranger engine mounts lengthwise; are there any problems with that ?

What is the difference between the two engines ?

Will an OEM Ranger Transmission bolt up ?

Not trying to swing your idea BUT the 5.0L Swap is far more prevalent, with electrical help from someone who know (not me) it is almost straight forward and it bolts in with Ranger Mounts, also there are far more performance add ons, and 5.0L from Explorers are everywhere so the price is lower.
With a little shopping you could get out of the swap with a lot lower cash outlay.

If you haven't and IF you want a 5.0L, read some on the 5.0L Swaps... I drove an '88 Ranger STX High Rider with a 5.0L and the power from a stock 5.0L is so much more than a SHO, so much smoother and the sounds is just where is should be... NICE !

OK... sorry if I am pushing the 5.0L too much but you will end up with what you want either way.

Ltr