[white94ranger]

hey i've bin thinking alot about putting a 5.0l into my 94 reg cab would this work and what would be the best donor to get cuz around my area theres alot of 88 to 92 mustangs on craigslist for pretty cheap and theres a couple of expo's too but if i am gonna do this would need to know which one would be better so thank in adavance and let me know thanks

 

[white94ranger]

sry i forgot to mention it has a 2.3l with a 4 speed with over drive right now

 

[sloue]

a v8 swap is a huge job . that involves custom fab work. parts sourcing and just plain wtf am i doing. i have done a few swaps in my time and before going in to it there is so much research out there. that needs to be looked at. i spent a year looking round at what everyone else had done and came up with my own version for my 83 ranger. there is so much more then telling you which motor is the best. what is the final vision for your truck? is a v8 my best option? 4.0 liter? lots to think about. if you want a v8 (don't know if this is a no no but its good info)start by going over to TRS tech section they have about the best v8 swap pages. answer most all of your Q's not that it could not be addressed here its that the info is there and its top self IMO

 

[white94ranger]

yea i have thought about a 4.0l, i think it would be a hell of alot easier to put that in than a 5.0l because 93 - 97 rangers came stock with those but i would also like a little bit of 'get up and go' and i know there would be a significant difference with a 4.0l but i dont wanna get the 4.0l put it in , run it, and than not be happy with it, i think if i put a 5.0l in it, i think i would be happier with that, but then there's gas prices to think about, so i'll go read up on all this and see what suits me best.

 

[plumcrazy]

The 4.0 OHV is has ton of low end torque for V-6. If you go with the 4.0 you won't be disappointed. If you are worried you will want more then bore it over and stroke it and slip a comp 410 cam in it before you drop it in. Even of you don't tear into the motor at least throw some new rockers and push rods in it (they are common wear items on 4.0)

 

[sloue]

iam going with plumbcrazy on this one . i did the v8 cause that was the easest for me . i run with a dude that has a 4.0 in a 89 ranger and it twists just as hard if not harder than my v8

 

[white94ranger]

and the 4.0l would go in the truck easier than the 5.0l? and better on gas i'm assuming

 

[Olfordtruck]

Look into this site link:

http://www.moranav6racing.com/category.html?CategoryID=16

Thats the page to Tom Morana's 3.8 engine and engine components. Hes got full stroker kits for the 3.0, 3.8, and 4.0... check it out!

 

[sloue]

and the 4.0l would go in the truck easier than the 5.0l? and better on gas i'm assuming

i would think yes

 

[white94ranger]

thank thats a good site to have on hand and thanks everybody for the info i just have one more question what car would be best to take the 4.0l out of , like an explorer cuz all they have around here is 4.0l's

 

[plumcrazy]

Find a pre95 Ranger or Exploder so you can grab all the engine bay wiring along with the motor. Aerostars used the same 4.0

 

[plumcrazy]

and you will need a 4.0 or 2.9 tranny.

 

[white94ranger]

so like a 94 expo?

 

[white94ranger]

oh and one more question if i get an expo that is a 4x4 could i put the 4x4 in the ranger or is it better just to stay 2wd

 

[plumcrazy]

94 Expo will work. To swap to 4x4 you will need to swap the entire engine cross member, TTB setup, tcase, and tranny (atleast 4x4 extension housing and tail shaft). Its probably easier to go SAS than bother swapping in the TTB, and a d30 (from any jeep) would be perfect for a reg cab short bed Ranger if you have any fabrication skills.

 

[white94ranger]

well i dont have any fab skills cuz i'm just starting to weld, but i have seen people do sas and it seems realy hard to do imo

 

[plumcrazy]

well i dont have any fab skills cuz i'm just starting to weld, but i have seen people do sas and it seems realy hard to do imo

If you can find me a D44 from a Jeep Rubicon, then I will give you my entire TTB setup with extended arms and cross member.(hell I will even install it for you)

 

[white94ranger]

lol sounds tempting but i live in british columbia and i think you live in the states so that might be a little difficult

 

[Airtruksrus]

Where you at in BC? I'm right on Whidbey if you need any help with the engine setup. As for the 4x4 part, hope you can get all the parts to get it going. Putting the 5.0 isn't as hard as it first looks, the frame was just the right width to drop it in with the engine mounts with very few mods to the body. If your'e putting in a lift, it allows for the use of bigger motors.

 

[white94ranger]

i live in aldergrove and yea i thought about a 5.0 for a little bit but with my skill it might be taking a bigger bit than i can chew so i think a 4.0 would be better for me imo and ive bin thinking about gettting a ford expo for a donor so mabey i can take out the drivetrain and 4x4 set-up out of it or what do you guys think can i leave it 2wd or is it worth it to go 4x4