Ok, I am considering doing a motor swap into my '88 ranger. At the moment I have a 2.3L w/ 5spd in it. I really want a little bit more towing power. Mainly I am looking to be able to pull my 8'x16' tandem axle trailer with my '85 toyota MR2 on it to the SCCA Solo-II events and maybe a trip out of state with the trailer and car. I am looking at the following 2 motor possibilites:

300 4.9L inline 6 w/ 5spd (out of a F-250 the better 5spd tranny). I currently have a 1980 f-150 w/ 300 in it that I have put stuff (offy c-series, edelbrock 600cfm 4bbl, Dynomax dual headers, Crane Powermax 260/272) and I know it isn't exactly a monster mountain motor but has ALOT of torque! Oh and I LOVE inlines!!!

302 5.0L V8 w/ 5spd (prolly the T5 out of the mustang). I know the old saying that "there ain't no replacement for displacement".... but this is only 2CI larger than the 300. The only advantage of this motor over the 300 that I can see is the better aftermarket support for mods. Well that and a easier fit. But I LOVE INLINES!!!!

Either way I am thinking of swaping in a shortened dually (f350) rear for the better rearend, brakes, and dual rear wheels. Either that or just take a regular 9" rear with upgraded brakes and add the dually adapters.

I really want to keep the manual transmission for the simple fact that I hate automatics.

I don't really care about alot of HP but it could be nice to be able to run with my friend that has a Chebby L98 full roller 350 in his '87 s-10.

The main focus though would be fuel economy and, while pulling a load, saftey. I know alot of people have problems with pulling too much of a load with too small a truck. Will this be a problem?


Oh, and I am not totally adverse to doing a power adder to the 300 like a eaton m90 if that would help "level" the playing feild.

Kameleon

 

IMHO, I would drive the Ranger around town and use the F150 as it is for any towing. A trailer and car would be in the 4,000+ pound range when towing, that is more like a F150 load than your Ranger, which has around a 1500 pound towing capacity and that is pushing an older Ranger.

 

The 302 is almost 'bolt-in' with some of the kits and adapters now available, but there is still a lot of work to do, and you need a bigger radiator, etc. I've read of a 300 six being put in, but it took major surgery due to the length of these monsters. I agree- if you're doing this for towing capability, you'll have more power than the brakes, and overall stability of such a light vehicle can handle safely.