F-150 4.2 V6 into Ranger Questions...

[oldbaldy454]

How well does a 4.2 fit in a Ranger, if at all and how does it run?

JB

[JohnnyO]

My guess is that it would be too wide.

[baddis]

a 4.2 is the same size externally as the 3.8. look in the tech library for the write up on a 3.8 swap. the 4.2 is just a stroked 3.8.

[BDAB]

it has been done, somebody from the old site did it and liked it.

[oldbaldy454]

Thanks for info so far....
We have 3 F-150s in the extended family, one of each type of engine:
1999 with 4.2 V6, 1997 with 4.6 and a 2002 with a 5.4.

I worked on the 4.6 V8 with 180,000 miles this morning to put a new fan belt in it for sister in law. Engine is really tight even in a 150, not much space to work on...

I looked at the 1999 with the 4.2 V6 the other day and looked like it had a lot of room and that gave me the idea it may fit in a Ranger... with a little more HP and torque than a 4.0.....

Someone at a local after market shop said that a 5.0 302 would not fit
in a 4 x 4 Ranger...so that may be out, but it sure would be fun.

I have a 3.0 FFV from 2000, and with a bunch of changes now, it is running pretty good. Underdog pulley, Autolite XP plugs, Dynomax 2.5" cat back exhaust system, and Flex-o-lite E-fan.

Otherwise I am spoiled from our 454 chev, but not from feeding it gas...

[BDAB]

Someone at a local after market shop said that a 5.0 302 would not fit
in a 4 x 4 Ranger...so that may be out, but it sure would be fun.



That guy is smoking crack. This board is full of V8 rangers from 5.0L to a 4.6L and there is also a few 351s and even a 396 stroker. seen a 460 ranger too.


and forgot to mention a couple small block chevy rangers

[JohnnyO]

Someone at a local after market shop said that a 5.0 302 would not fit in a 4 x 4 Ranger...

Ahh, the FACTORY put 5.0's in Explorers, which from the front seat forward are identical to Rangers.

[rangermx25]

so does that mean you can put a explorer 5.0 in a ranger of the same year?

[Cherrybomb]

I have seen a 426 wedge in a cj-5 and in the new JP magizine i just got there putting a 5.9 cummins in a new wrangler if that fits then you can make anything fit.

[rusty ol ranger]

I was going to try putting a 300 Straight 6 into a Ranger....but i gave up on it. Way to much work.

The hardest thing about getting a 4.2L to work in a Ranger would be the wireing, however, if the 4.2L is just a stroked 3.8L....could a Carburated intake manifold from a early 3.8 work on it?

later,
Dustin

[Hershey]

Is it possible to put a newer model engine into an older model Ranger?

I mean like 2005 engine into a 92 for example, or will it be impossible because of electrical systems and sensors etc?

[BDAB]

nothing is impossible, only somethings may be above your skill level.

[racsan]

.....all it takes, is money.............and time.

[Natedog]

a 4.2 is the same size externally as the 3.8. look in the tech library for the write up on a 3.8 swap. the 4.2 is just a stroked 3.8.

WOW, that would be sweet! Wish I had the time and $$$.... :)

[red85]

Thanks for info so far....
Someone at a local after market shop said that a 5.0 302 would not fit
in a 4 x 4 Ranger...so that may be out, but it sure would be fun.

That's how my swap got started too. The guy that said it couldn't be done got all my business for the little things like a 50 cent bolt and a jug of motor oil. I made sure I brought it by that same shop when I was all done just to show that it COULD be done. The guy looked pretty sour when I pointed out the bolt that I bought from him LOL. :stirthepot:

[feellnfroggy]

That's how my swap got started too. The guy that said it couldn't be done got all my business for the little things like a 50 cent bolt and a jug of motor oil. I made sure I brought it by that same shop when I was all done just to show that it COULD be done. The guy looked pretty sour when I pointed out the bolt that I bought from him LOL. :stirthepot:

not onyl is the 3.8 stroker(4.2 or 4.3) a bad a$$ 6 but supersixmotorsports.com sells everything from p&p heads to entire level III engine kits. aftermarket cams and stuff, they also run a baja style ranger.

I think its v6power.net has been diggin up info lately on a 4.5 liter v6 that as far as mounting points is dimensionally the same as 3.8 but totally different beast. The heads are massive as is the block and ported to hell and back. the 3.8 with boost maxes at like 800 hp but the 4.5(discontinued, but avail through collectors) can handle upwards of 12-1500 hp. and gobs of torque.

[Rammunition360]

my buddies dad has a 521 in his ranger...Hilltop Mudder II...look it up 1900lbs 1300 horse

[bobbywalter]

its the same as a 302 swap, so its basically a bolt in and cake for the most part.


wiring can be a pia, but if you have the donor its also a non issue.


unless you want the 454 in it. that would be really fun.

[baddad457]

if the 4.2L is just a stroked 3.8L....could a Carburated intake manifold from a early 3.8 work on it?

later,
Dustin
No, the 4.2's block is taller so the intake from a 3.8 will not fit. The early 3.8 TBI intake has the same carb flange that also fits the Autolite 2100 and Holley 2300 2 bbls. I was going to do a 4.2 till I found the block deck height difference.

[rusty ol ranger]

One day id stilllike to do a 300 inline swap.

later,
Dustin