Big Block in a Ranger ?
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 252
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From: Wilsonville Canada
Big Block in a Ranger ?
Just Toying with the idea of getting a Ranger of an unknowen year yet and makin it a show truck, well i havent seen much on a big block in a ranger and was wondering if anyone has wedged one in ? Im lookin for ideas and pics of custome Rangers so if you have any please share !!??
Thanx
2000 F150 Extended Cab 4x4 Sport Black
Thanx
2000 F150 Extended Cab 4x4 Sport Black
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,759
Likes: 70
From: Elk River, MN
Big Block in a Ranger ?
I have seen a couple with 460 engines. They ended up pretty much cobbled chop jobs. Couple problems are the size of the bell housing on the transmission is too big to tuck under the tunnel without chopping tunnel and building a raised tunnel to house the transmission. Another is the length of the overall engine, it needs to be tucked back as far as possible and that might include bumping the dash back around the tunnel. Lastly, the frame rails are fairly narrow, so getting exhaust headers down and between the rails can be a challange. The last one I saw was not a street machine, strictly built for the 1/4 mile. All the big block Rangers I have seen had the heater-a/c case removed to make room for the engine. No pictures, sorry.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 861
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From: SE PA
Big Block in a Ranger ?
Well, along with the concerns mentioned above, you will also have to raise the body at least 3". The steering shaft will have to have a couple of offsets and shafts to clear, this is true even with the 351W swap(one of the reasons most go with the 302). Some of the firewall will have to be "relocated" via a large hammer. You would have to address cooling concerns, maybe mount the radiator in the bed with elec. fans. Oh , you will also have to remove the cowl, and of course get a hood made that will incorporate the extra lenght along with hood pins, no place to mount hinges, so you would have to pin the hood. Depending on which Ranger your trying to stuff it into, the frame will need bracing to handle the torque twist. If you have the time and resources, this would be a great project if done correctly, however, I myself have seen one also and it wasn't anything to pretty to look at and I would not take a ride in it!
