I have a base 1983 Ford ranger 2.0L L4 4speed transmission 2wd and I wanna convert it to a 4wd pickup. I want to use the same transmission and upgrade to a V6 engine. What would work better a 3.0 L or 2.8L engine? Were there or are there any transfer cases that go to the transmission? What axles should I look into for the pickup?

 

That's not gonna work, a 2wd trans cannot be converted to 4wd easily and the V6 motors have a different belhousing bolt pattern so it's a no go on both counts. What you need is a complete powertrain.. engine, trans, t-case, driveshafts, and axles so you may as well find a donor truck, and at that point it's probably easier and quicker to put your body on the donors frame if it's in bad shape, or just go buy a 4wd truck.

 

Transfer the body to a different frame? Okay, now I have to find a donor vehicle. What frame should I use? What a swap to any pickup frame work? What frame did this truck use?

 

I tried this on a Mail Truck CJ5 jeep years ago. Spent way more then the jeep was worth. Like 7K for a $ 3500 jeep. Way better IMHO to sell it and buy a 4WD to start. Unless it has sentimental value, it will be a pain in the...well you get the idea.

 

Find a 4WD Ranger with the same wheelbase as the 2WD one you have.

 

<p>It does have sentimental value to me. So does it have to be a Ranger or can it be any other vehicle? Like something that would fit the ranger body? It seems difficult but I bet it could be done. So I know this much, you can't put a RANGER body onto a SUV frame 'without' modifications. Would a Nissan frame do? Mazda's are the same thing as Rangers. What other car company pickup frame would work with the Ranger body?

thank you everyone who replies back!
thank you from El Paso Texas </p>

 

Yes it has to be a Ranger if you want it to be street legal and be a project you stand some chance of completing.

 

Find something like a 93 explorer, use the complete front end and it will literally bolt into that ranger. Then use the engine frame mounts and bolt the 4liter and trans into it. Then bolt the big drum rear axle into it also to match the front gears.
Wiring is pretty good. The explorer has an engine bay harness and fuse box that is easy to modify. Strip out the headlight crap from the harness and go from there.

 

^^ UHH, NO. front end suspension mounts for 4 wd are different than 2wd, they are bigger. they are also riveted into the frame.. Trans mount has to be relocated forward, but transfer case from the same trans bolts where the shaft extension bolts. External slave on trans, IMHO is a better deal. Cologne series engine, don't remember off hand what else fits. 1.6, 2.0,2.3, 2.8, 2.9, 4.something?
front end only swap doesn't matter on wheel base.
Bronco 2's, mazda B series pick-ups fit. so do exploders if the axles look the same

BTDT,YMMV