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Old Dec 9, 2013 | 05:34 PM
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SBF Swap

Looking at swapping a Small block into my 99 Ranger, I've done some research but haven't found much for that Generation, everything was pre 97... So here's my ?, If I got some motor mounts from a 99 5.0 Explorer would they be a direct bolt in?
 
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Old Dec 10, 2013 | 02:53 PM
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no, and it's a bad idea, drop it, just buy an F150 with a V8 in it.
 
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Old Dec 10, 2013 | 06:18 PM
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The stock Explorer are a bolt in if you have the torsion bar suspension, other wise use the 4.0 isolators with flat plates. I have the contact for a guy who has a lot of them for sale. This link does mention using the Explorer plates but that was meant for a 4x4 application. It won't let me link but it's ion the TRS technical library in the swap section, using a efi Explorer.
Dave
 
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Old Dec 10, 2013 | 09:27 PM
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Originally Posted by g_k50
no, and it's a bad idea, drop it, just buy an F150 with a V8 in it.
If I wanted a F150 I would have bought one
 
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Old Dec 10, 2013 | 09:31 PM
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Originally Posted by smalltrucker
The stock Explorer are a bolt in if you have the torsion bar suspension, other wise use the 4.0 isolators with flat plates. I have the contact for a guy who has a lot of them for sale. This link does mention using the Explorer plates but that was meant for a 4x4 application. It won't let me link but it's ion the TRS technical library in the swap section, using a efi Explorer.
Dave
Damn, mines 2wd coil spring... I'll probably have to make my own mounts
 
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Old Dec 10, 2013 | 10:04 PM
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Here is what I have found...
5.0 swap - Ranger-Forums - The Ultimate Ford Ranger Resource
 
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Old Dec 11, 2013 | 08:37 AM
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A lot of that is good info but seems like some of the others were just guessing. Very little fabrication required other than the motor plates. Since you have the 4.0, rear end and radiator work just fine. The SBF has been swapped into the late models since 2000 so there is a lot of good info and do's/don'ts out there. Both these links are for a 4x4 so just ignore that section.
Dave

Ford Ranger/Bronco II 2.9 liter Engines

MudSlanger's Explorer 5.0 Swap In A 2000 Ford Ranger
 
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Old Dec 14, 2013 | 08:08 AM
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We have yearly inspections in Va, so no way we could do this swap. I hope you do not have this in Nebraska.

I never had a ranger till a few years ago when I got this 86 4x4 i have with the 2.9 and the 5 speed. After driving it I am wondering why people do the v8 swaps? It's got more than enough get up and go for this little truck. You have to be careful with it an ease out when the road is wet, or the tires will break loose and it will come around in the road. I bet the 4.0 v6's really run.

Mine has the 3.73 gear ratio in the rearends, maybe that is part of it.
 
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Old Dec 15, 2013 | 04:30 PM
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Ford Engineers looked at this issue, decided against it, that's good enough for me.

BTW, The television show Trucks! spent 2 years putting a V8 in a Ford Ranger platform (actually a Mazda platform).
 
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Old Dec 15, 2013 | 04:46 PM
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Originally Posted by g_k50
Ford Engineers looked at this issue, decided against it, that's good enough for me.

BTW, The television show Trucks! spent 2 years putting a V8 in a Ford Ranger platform (actually a Mazda platform).
By the ease that a SBF fits in first gen Rangers, I would say the Ford engineers seriously considered a V-8 option before management said otherwise.
 
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Old Dec 15, 2013 | 05:52 PM
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The big issue is dealing with the passive anti theft system.

Sometimes we make things because we want them not because we need them.
 
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Old Dec 15, 2013 | 06:59 PM
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I assume that Ford Managers are trained as engineers first, ala the first women CEO of General Motors is an engineer.
 
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Old Dec 15, 2013 | 07:10 PM
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The SVT team stuffed a 5.4 into one.
Ford Ranger 380hp 5.4L Blown Engine-Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords Magazine
 
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Old Dec 15, 2013 | 07:29 PM
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Unfortunately many readers succumb to (mis) information generated by magazines interested in selling their advertisers products. It's said plain in the first sentence. "I think you've gone over the edge" Edge being the Ranger style. The rest of the article is misinformation, in the vein of Twains quote "If you don't read newspapers, you are uninformed, if you do read newspapers, you are misinformed."
 
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Old Dec 15, 2013 | 09:18 PM
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They did have that truck at the mid America Shelby meet here in Tulsa a couple years ago.
 
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