Heres the plan. I got a buddy with a 03 4x4 ranger with a 4.0 and I have a 94 bronco (rusted to pieces) with a 351w (running fine). I can find no end to the conversion kits and advice on how to do a 302 to an early 90s ranger, but I can't find a damn thing for this one. I figure if I can get the computer and wiring harness from an 302 OBD2 Exploder/Mountaineer and use the same mounts and such this should be 'realitively' easy. But this all seems to be uncharted territory, and was wondering if it could be done. This truck doesn't have to pass emissions so I'm not worried about that.

 

Don't do it. There's a reason you can't find any info on this swap. The 4.0 is the best engine for the ranger. 100 years of Ford Engineering went into it.

 

In addition to cramming the engine in there, you need to rebalance the whole thing, 351Ws are heavy. You will need stronger front springs, stronger sway bars, add weight to the back, get stronger rear springs, stronger trans, larger tires with a heftier weight rating and better brakes.

The two overall best engine options for good power output while maintaining the vehicles overall balance are either the 4.0L V6, or the 2.3L turbo. The 2.3L turbo makes most V8 swaps look like underpowered jokes.

If you do a V8 swap, the 302 is the best option, but you need the 302 trans as well. It doesn't fit really well, but it does work.

Again, the 4.0L engine is adequate, and if high power output is the goal, the 2.3L turbo is 190 hp stock, with is about the same as the 302 stock output, but the whole deal is lighter and more balanced, so the 2.3L turbo is faster. And that if you leave it stock. The 2.3L is much cheaper and easier to modify than a 302. For very little added cost, a manual boost controller can bump that power to around 215 hp, and with a few more supporting mods and safe tuning, the power can be raised to as high as 250 hp before serious expensive mods start to kick in. With a stock engine and bolt on supporting mods, the 2.3L can produce near 350 hp reliably.

 

The 2001+ Ranger 4x4 swap done several times using the 302/5.0 Explorer motor/trans/xfer case with the wiring being the only major problem. No one I've heard of has done the 351 - yet. Even with the 302, only good header option other than custom is the Torque Monster headers that run almost $800.
Dave
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/727284...ger-super-cab/

 

We put a 351W in a 85 Bronco II............quite easily.

But there was no EFI or computers to deal with, and early 80s Rangers and B2s are very swap friendly.

If the Ranger is running well, leave it and find another Bronco or F-150 to drop the 351 in.

 

The problem that comes in with the 98+ Rangers is the front suspension getting headers to clear, 302 or worse with the 351. Like just said, find a better home for that 351.
Dave

 

On top of what has already been stated, the Windsor is a dead platform with virtually not support whatsoever - good luck finding parts... Even the Cleveland platform is practically nonexistent as far as parts...

 

Look at all the work that the SVT team had to do to stuff a 5.6L into a Ranger. Ford SVT Lightning Bolt Ranger Prototype - Performance & Road Test - Motor Trend

You may be looking at similar work with a 351..