I found a 92 ford ranger with a 5 speed that i can get cheap because it has a bad 3.0 engine. i have been wanting to build a v8 ranger and I have read a lot about using an automatic trans but i really want a manual. All i have heard is use a mustang trans but they are cable operated....How would you go about making that work with a hydralic clutch? Any idea's or tips would be great. maybe even an adapter plate.

 

Your existing trans is probably a Mazda and has an integral bell, right?

The Mustang 302/5 speed would have a separate bell and trans. The shifter would be too far back for a PU, but you can use a Chev S10 tailshaft housing, or a different ($$$) trans with movable shifter locations to fix that.

When you select the bell or scattershield, you need to find one compatible with a hydraulic clutch set up.

These folks deal with the transmissions. There are other sites that have entire V8 conversions on them. "Ranger station" maybe?

http://www.moderndriveline.com/index.htm

 

Your best to contact james duff or advanced adapters for advice and opinions as they sell the 5.0 ranger swap kits. There arew different tranny options, the mustang is only one, there's also an F-150 manual. As far as using a cable clutch, you would just need the mustang pedal, the mustang bellhouseing will allready be set up for it. However, ask the experts to be sure, also advanced adapters may hook you up with another manual tranny option, but for a 2wd, the mustang wouldn't be a bad choice as the T-5 is a very good tranny.

 

Find a F150 SB/SC with the engine tranny combo you want (302/M5OD) and liberate the driveshafts engine (w/radiator), tranny, T case, and rear axle (If you want 4x4 get a D44 straight dont bother w/TTB).
First fit the axle(s) in place, you will have to either shorten the rear leaf springs or build up the stock ranger springs with a few helper springs (may need to relocate mounts on the new 8.8" axle).
Once axles are in place than drop engine and tranny in at once (T case also if doing 4x4), (support w/jacks and hoist) and take all measurments, then pull them out again and fab the motor mounts from the F150 into the ranger engine bay at correct location. The radiator will be practacally flush with the back of the grill (cutout old rad and any shrouding) and you will need to swap to an electric fan to save space for the 302 to fit. once your engine and tranny mounts are in then bolt it all up and measure the distance from tranny output(or Tcase output shaft) to axle yolk, this will be how long the driveshaft will need to be. then shorten the F150 shaft acordingly.
After that its only a matter of bringing your fuel delivery system up to par to feed the 302 (the pump and lines from the F150) and making all nescesary electrical connections (to save engine bay room id sujest relocating battery to bed or rear seat)

Lemme know if youve got more questions

 

we I am actually planing to build a 2 wheel drive street/strip truck out of it. I want the body style of the 92 that i found because of the front grille and headlight set up. I am not afraid to cut a bigger hole to fit a different trans. I can always modify my shift lever and change it out to bucket seats which I am probably going to do eventually anyway if i do by it. The ranger has a bad motor and some slight body damage so i think i might be able to get it for 500. He has 1100 on it but he is nuts. I know i can get it for 500 or should i ask less?

 

A 1992 with a blown 4 banger? id offer 200 and expect to pay 250 after haggling

 

A decent body is worth 500.00, at least here is the salt belt.

 

well the motor is not blown but it has a knock. the motor is a 3.0 not a 4 banger. The body is far. The bed has some slight rust and a couple dents. The can seams to be solid though.

 

Here is a guy that did the swap you want to do with the parts to make it work, t5 and hydraulic clutch, good info to have.

http://www.v8-ranger.com/

 

Sow '03 Ranger with 5.0 V8 from Explorer in Moscow 2 mounth ago. Engine, tranny and ECU were taken from wrecked '06 explorer. Owner says, that he reinstalled all including front crossmember from Explorer, but were some welding works and some wiering works. But he has problems with handling. Rear axe skids, trucks turns, AWD can not help. He has to load bags with sand in bed.

 

when driving a vehicle with a high power to weigh ratio i find that that little pedal on the right side is the best way to regulate the amount of skiding and spinning lol You just don't push it as hard. lol