Ranger engine swap

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Apr 2, 2007 | 01:39 PM

accolade

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Ranger engine swap

I have a 98 2.5L 4-cylinder ranger and was wondering what i could possibly swap that engine with or upgrade it to get more power. Its a great truck i'm just tired of pushing down on the gas and not going anywhere

Apr 2, 2007 | 02:21 PM

Alan D.

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From: Slatington PA

What type of engine are you looking to out in it? a 302/351 V8 is the most common sawp. To put another ranger engine in (4.0) would be a waste, just buy a new one. for the v8 engine swap there's kit avalible. Just search the ranger section for "V8". for both types you'll need new harnesses. it's sometimes is easier to find a donor vehical.

Apr 2, 2007 | 02:26 PM

accolade

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i would like to do a 351, i didnt know if it could fit in the frame and if i would have to get a new back end and tranny and if those would all fit

Apr 2, 2007 | 04:15 PM

wendell borror

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Yep, you would need a new tranny and rear diff to swap in a 351 or 302. Just get an 8.8 rearend out of an explorer, it's beefier than a ranger unless it's a level II. Get a T-5 out of a manual mustang or thunderbird turbo coupe, or super coupe. The spring perches need to be relocated on the explorer rearend, but no bigging.
www.jamesduff.com has conversion kits for doing the v8 swap into the ranger.

Apr 2, 2007 | 04:19 PM

wendell borror

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"O', by the way, welcome to the forum, were glad to have you. There will be all kinds of input on this topic, so just hang tight.

Apr 2, 2007 | 05:44 PM

RangerPilot

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From: Durant, OK (SOSU)

Welcome to FTE. No sense in getting the 8.8" out of an Explorer. Though it's a 31 spline as opposed to the 28 spline the Ranger has, the torque ratings are the same. An 8.8" will handle a slightly modified 302 or stock 351, above that amount of power, a 9" isn't too terribly difficult to swap in. Just requires some minor welding and perhaps shortening to make it fit.

The 302 and 351W use the same block and is quite easy to swap into a Ranger, especially if you can go carbed with it. I had the block dimensions saved on my PC, but I can't seem to find them at the moment. The 302/351W are actually quite narrow.

If you purely intend it for speed, I'd suggest a T-5 (if you can afford it) or a C6 if you're an auto person. Both are practically bulletproof.

No matter which engine you go with, you WILL need headers, mounts, and an oil filter relocation kit.

James Duff has the kit, as does summitracing.com. Both include everything you need.

Shop around for EVERYTHING, as great deals can be had on just about everything.

Apr 2, 2007 | 07:54 PM

Greg R

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Joined: Feb 2005

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From: Red Wing, MN

If you want to put a V8 into a '98-up 2WD Ranger (coil springs in the front) PM me and I'll steer you in the right direction. They are different than the '97-earlier and the '98-up 4x4 Rangers. Nobody makes a kit for a V8 install in the '98-up 2WDs with coil springs. There is a guy on another forum that makes the motor mount brackets to do so though.

Most of the above posts are misinformation. Searching the Ranger forum here will get you "Sorry - no matches".

(Sorry guys, this is the truth)

Greg