Hey all,
I'm just staring this post for those of you who might me interested. My goal is to write the most detailed post I can with before and after photos, the problems I run into and solutions I came up with...to help my fellow FTE users with their own swaps. I'm in the middle of my 302 Ranger swap, I'd say 50-60% complete.

Here the build detail as it is.
-92 Ranger XLT 4x4 Extended cab
-302 out of an 88 F150 with M5R2 tranny(until tranny blows anyways)
-Edelbrock Performer intake
-Edelbrock Performer cam/lifters
-Edelbrock Performer 600 4bbl Carb
-Ported and polished heads, valve seats redone, and seals changed, Springs still within Co.Specs
-I'm using advanced adapters headers
-I redid the motor also(so I'm starting fresh
-5.0L mustang pan/pickup tube
-Centerforce dual friction clutch
-I bought an Aluminum rad 19"x24", I'm stuffing it into the rad support but I'll need to cut a great deal of the support to stuff it in there.
-I also bought a 2500cfm S-Blade e-fan from Flex-o-lite
-I'll be using an edelbrock pressure adjustable fuel pump. I'll have to remove the fuel pump from in the tank and extend the pickup tube to the bottom of the tank.
-I made my own motor mounts out of 1/4 plate steel
-I bought an adapter to use the ranger transfer case.
-I had to thoroughly modify the tranny crossmember, but reused the frame mounting holes.
-I had to cut into the floor for the tranny shifter location, I will have to modify the shifter to clear the dash
-I will be able to re-use the Ranger 4x4 shifter and have it come in the floor close to its original location with slight notching to the tranny cover and slight modification to the shifter.
-I'll have to modify the driveshafts.
-I had to notch my my A/C, heater box for valve cover clearance
-I have a 2" body lift that helps a great deal with some clearance issues.

So far I can't say there were too many surprises, and surprisingly enough not too much swearing..LOL!! The project is on schedule for now and I figure I should going for a test run by November. The swap itself isn't too complicated but can be time consuming depending what decisions you take as the project moves along. For example I chose to cut out the rad support from the truck to help me when I put in the motor and pull it out, I'm happy I did as I probably put in and pulled the motor about 10 times. It also makes other modifications in the engine bay a little easier.
Anyways I'm taking progress photos and will post them in my gallery when everthing is done. I'll post back from time to time with progress and details.
Sorry for the long post but I thought details would interest some of you.

Bye for now!!

Madmike33

 

awesome, i cant wait....... post pics!

Matt

 

Here's what I did to the 4x4 shifter. First off the M5R1 and M5R2 are practically the same castings execpt bell housing size, 4x4 shifter locations, 5spd shifter location, and tranny mount height compared to the M5R1 out of the Ranger.
The 4x4 shifter doesn't mount the same way on the M5R2 as the M5R1, but with a little mod, the original Ranger 4x4 shifter can be re-used. The main bolt used on the shifters are the same. The Ranger shifter uses two bolts to secure it, where the full size shifter uses one, but The M5R2 still has 2 bolt holes in the casting. The second hole that I'm using is bigger and slightly wider than on the M5R1.
So I measured the hole separation, cut the end of the shifter retainer plate square, and welded on a piece of flat bar. Drilled a 9/16 hole in the right location and installed a new bolt. Now my shift comes in the tranny tunnel in near stock position. The shifter will hit a tab sticking out of the tranny cover when trying to shift 4w Low, so cut off the tab. Also you'll have to grind a small amount of the shifter location plate to clear the electrical for the backup lights.

It's fairly simple. It's functional and it looks good.

Madmike33