ranger 302swap
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New User
Joined: Mar 2011
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ranger 302swap
i resently decided to take my 89 ext. cab 2 wheel drive 5 speed manual ford ranger (wich isn't running) and swap out and and up grade the motor to a 302out of my 89 ford f150 4x4 5speed. now i know the engine will fit with min alterations tothe ranger. my question is this..... iknow the transmust be changedor altered to handel the increase inpower, however, i would like to convert the ranger to 4x4 drive capability. everything i have found exsplains all the other engine options and how to install them propper, but everything surrounding the ability to gain 4 wheel drive is really unclear. will it be possible to install the 302 and the trans thatis bolted to it now in the f150. orwhat should i do. i have a new engine and trans in a f150 needs a whole new front clip and cab while a perfectly good boddy, frame, and trans in that ranger go to waist. further more i think that would be one hell of fun little off road play toy that would be. will that trans out of the f150 fit or whatdo i need to do so i can get that ranger 302 out on the road
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 432
Likes: 1
From: Amherst, WI
Hey Brian,
Doing the 302 swap is not all that hard as I guess you have seen. It's the converting to the 4x4 that is really going to be a pain. It's been done but that doesn't mean it was cheap or easy
Dave
Comments on the 4x4 conversion from another site:
Pretty sure you have to spread the frame slightly to get it in... Basically, alot more of a PITA than buying a cheap 4x4... Anything can be done though!
2wd to 4wd is a big waste of money.
Trying to do it stock is not worth the time and money because the front end of the frame is different. Easiest is really to use the 4x4 tranny, t-case, and driveshafts and do a SAS.
there's welding involved, in order to do it you would have to basically take the cab off to separate the frame to stick the crossmember in, if you are going to that trouble, steal the tranny and transfer case and do a D30 SAS swap, sell the leftover parts from the donor to get an axle, put it on craigslist and maybe you can do some horse trading for one...
Doing the 302 swap is not all that hard as I guess you have seen. It's the converting to the 4x4 that is really going to be a pain. It's been done but that doesn't mean it was cheap or easy
Dave
Comments on the 4x4 conversion from another site:
Pretty sure you have to spread the frame slightly to get it in... Basically, alot more of a PITA than buying a cheap 4x4... Anything can be done though!
2wd to 4wd is a big waste of money.
Trying to do it stock is not worth the time and money because the front end of the frame is different. Easiest is really to use the 4x4 tranny, t-case, and driveshafts and do a SAS.
there's welding involved, in order to do it you would have to basically take the cab off to separate the frame to stick the crossmember in, if you are going to that trouble, steal the tranny and transfer case and do a D30 SAS swap, sell the leftover parts from the donor to get an axle, put it on craigslist and maybe you can do some horse trading for one...
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 978
Likes: 1
From: darrington wash
why go with a d30? i say go with a 44 or 60. if you want it all to fit, cut the tubes down and have some shafts made.
4x4 conversion i dont think would be that hard to do a simple leaf spring suspension with a strait axle of any size under it. you need to toss the engine and trans and transfer case on your frame connect them to two axles with 2 drive shafts..
check out pirate4x4.com i remember there being a guy that had a 2wd toyota that he made into a pretty sweet 4x4. i remember him mentioning that he liked doing the conversion better on a 2wd rather then a sas on a 4wd/ifs truck because the frames on 2wd are a little bit straiter.. its not a ranger, but you can get an idea of what it all invovles
other options are rip your f150 body off the frame, and take your ranger body off its frame and put it on the f150 frame..
4x4 conversion i dont think would be that hard to do a simple leaf spring suspension with a strait axle of any size under it. you need to toss the engine and trans and transfer case on your frame connect them to two axles with 2 drive shafts..
check out pirate4x4.com i remember there being a guy that had a 2wd toyota that he made into a pretty sweet 4x4. i remember him mentioning that he liked doing the conversion better on a 2wd rather then a sas on a 4wd/ifs truck because the frames on 2wd are a little bit straiter.. its not a ranger, but you can get an idea of what it all invovles
other options are rip your f150 body off the frame, and take your ranger body off its frame and put it on the f150 frame..
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,047
Likes: 2
From: North west La
Can you use the ECU & harness from the same year Explorer to make the swap. I've heard you can use the tranny also you may need a driveshaft built. I'm looking for a 302 Ex 02 or 03 model that is rear ended to used for my donor truck
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 432
Likes: 1
From: Amherst, WI
Well the latest year the Explorer came with a 5.0L was 2001. That or a '99-2000 is still pretty much the same. Just use the ECU and engine harness out of same donor. Need the trans harness and the one also that comes from power center rear drivers side to power the starter and such. You have the torsion susupension so the Explorer mounts located the motor just fine. The 4R70 trans works fine, friend down in N. Ill is running one in his 4x2 week-end strip truck and loves it. Think he's running 13.9 sec now.
Dave
Edit: Good example of a '03' with the 5.0L. This guy build a little over board but great looking/running truck.
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/727284...per-cab/page-1
Dave
Edit: Good example of a '03' with the 5.0L. This guy build a little over board but great looking/running truck.
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/727284...per-cab/page-1
