Hello everyone. I posted in the introduction forum alittle about myself, but here is a shortened version. I've been into mustangs all my life, but a die hard Ford fan at that. I inherited a pretty nice what I think is an 88 Ford Ranger (haven't seen the title quite yet). It's a single cab, 4x2, 2.0L Inline 4 carb'd engine with a 4spd w/ overdrive tranny. I doesn't have A/C, power steering, power windows/locks. Anyways...I'm thinking about turning it into a cool street and occassional drag truck. Right now the body is is good shape, engine seems to run fine, but needs a new tranny/clutch I believe. I'm thinking about taking care of the body work, interior, suspension and wheels and tires first. After that I will be looking to build a 302 for it. Other than local junk yards, what places online do you guys recommend for parts? I will post some pictures of the new project here in the next day. Thanks.

-Curt

BTW - I've been very pleased so far with the people here, thanks for all your help.

 

I sow old Ranger with 5.0 V8 of Mustang. Runs very well..... but rear axe is not laden enought and rear wheels skid. My father had to put a quater of ton of briks in his 2wd ranger bed to drive it on snow.

 

you can usually pick one up pretty cheap on ebay.

 

Yeah, I plan to uprgrade the rear end with either a 8.8 or even a built 7.5 with posi of course when I drop the V8 in it. Fortunately it wont see snow as for I have a better vehicle for those conditions. I will be keeping the drivetrain and engine in it, until the body work, suspension and interior is finished.

 

Go with the 8.8 or 9", you can't build a 7.5 strong enough to take a V-8. My ranger and my mustang gt both have the 8.8 and they take my pounding hee hee.

 

The 7.5 rear if built properly will hold the power of the 302 for a while and thats what came in the Mustang untill 1986 when they upgraded to the 8.8. But for my money I would swap with the 8.8 with a good LSD. I have a 8.8 in my 85 GT that came from a Ranger already set with 3.73 gears and Traction-Lok diff but I killed it and rebuilt with new R&P and an Auburn Pro diff so I would find an 8.8 and put a good aftermarket diff in and call it good. LMCtruck.com carries a lot of parts for the older Rangers and Bronco IIs. JamesDuff.com also has a lot of parts and info for a V8 swap in your Ranger. Good luck.

 

Thanks for the info guys. A 7.5 wouldn't be my first option, however I used to have a 98 V6 Stang with a 7.5 and it would hold good enough for most likely the 300hp~ N/A goal I'm looking to have. I've seen the 7.5 used for cars with around 400hp. I thought I might be able to find a 7.5 for even cheaper then a 8.8. I don't mind spending alittle cash for the project, but when I got the truck for virtually free and the truck is probably not worth much more than 500 bucks anyways, I'd rather put the cash into my 02GT.

-Curt

 

Do a Google search for swapping a V8 into a Ranger. There is tons of infomation out there.

 

You don't want the 7.5, why do you think ford dropped from the stang, it won't hold up. Just go to the bone yard and get an 8.8 from an early explorer, it will have the big bearings and 32 spline axles, also disc brakes more than likely. They are a dime a dozen and would be just as easy and cheap to get as the 7.5. They put the 8.8 in stangs, rangers, explorers, F-150's, T-birds and cougers, "o yeah", also crown vics and the big mercs, there's alot of them out there, more 8.8's then the 7.5 by far. I'm just trying to help you avoid a weak link in your power train. 500 dollar truck or not, you want it done right to avoid enbarassment when lauching hee hee!!!!!!!

 

I got an 88 Ranger and I thought about doing that, but its not worth it for me.
I'd rather just get a mustang haha.
If you get a 5.0 for it, you're gonna have to get the mustang tranny too,
and exhaust coming off the headers, and probably alot of other stuff
from a mustang.
but Rangers fly with a 302 in them.

 

They sell the adapter kits to put a T-5 and 302 in the ranger along with the headers.
James Duff sells the motor swap kits or just pieces of the kit depending on what you need. Advanced Adapters does as well.

 

Thanks for the help, I think the 8.8 is the best way to go. Especially since there are alot out there, I've just had first hand experience with the 7.5" and eventhough I believe it be fine..the 8.8" would be better for the money. I'm not to worried about getting the parts for the swap, because I have alot of connections through the mustang world and can build this truck for rather cheap being able to do most of the work myself and having no rush.

Basically here is what I plan to do.
302 with heads/cam/intake/carb
T5 or TR3650 Tranny
Spec 2 or 3 clutch (maybe if I can find a better cheaper option)
New Driveshaft
8.8" rear with hopefully 3.55 or 3.73 gears
Lowered suspension
Stock brakes/with stronger pads
Possibly new paint if I can't bring the black back to life
And a mild custom interior
Then...if I want to, nitrous 75/100 shot for alittle extra fun at the track.

Hoping to be able to do all this for under 2K in parts...but we will see, I might have to change some things to keep it in budget...Figuring that I can get the power and drivetrain for 1K-1500. I also have some 17x8 wheels and tires from one of my mustangs that I can use.

 

Don't forget the new suspension that you are going to need. Upgraded springs in the front and something to add some traction in the rear. Maybe some lakewood slapper bars or something of that nature to combat axle wind-up and hop.

 

Thanks again guys. Since I didn't have to pay anything for the truck..I'm using it as a good learning tool. Things that I want to learn how to do, to something that isn't worth that much and I didn't invest any money for the truck itself.

 

Here are some quick pics of the truck.