302 swap

[Nehring13]

ok, i see that there are people putting 302's in rangers, i didnt think that it would be able to fit without any problems. but i also see its on older gen trucks. i have a 1998 ranger with a stock 3.0 4x4, 5 spd. can i put one in mine, with it being newer without doing anything to the firewall or any other mods. has anyone done it? im looking to do it for some fun, and personally i dont think its possible to beat v-8 power. i have read other threads and people are talking to help but its with specific trucks, so i was looking for info top do it to mine specifically. thanks a lot. any info is helpful.
~Mike
:dntknw:

[88mudder]

electric 4x4?

[Nehring13]

yup. i hate it.

[skippy]

it can be done,just takes money,sweat,research and patience.many different engines have been swapped in a ranger,the tech library on this site has a wealth of info.

[projectnitemare]

For the newer Rangers without a TTB suspension your best bet is to find a 5.0L Explorer. There are a few reasons. Everything is bolt in, you will be able to pass emissions, and its mostly plug and play. The problem most have with the Explorer setup is transmission and t-case choice. You're stuck with an auto. If you do'nt want the AWD t-case use one from an Expedition. If you try to use any other 302 you are just shooting yourself in the foot. You will pretty much have to start over with all the electronics.

Matt

[Nehring13]

will i need the wiring harness from the explorer? and what year explorer should i go with? any or should i shoot for a 1998? thanks.

[projectnitemare]

The more you get the better. You are going to need all of the engine and transmission harness along with the computer. If you can get the entire vehicle that would honestly be the best and probably cheapest route although the initial cost may tell you different. That way you can swap everything over from the Explorer, dash rear axle, what ever you desire. If you run into trouble the car might be gone from the yard, someone bought the part you need and so on.

Matt

[Mac]

They are a lot of ways to do this. You can find the lowest mileage Explorer what ever year and then convert it back to the '97' wiring/computer/sensors/fuel system. That gives you a lot more flexiblity for furture performance increases. Buy a high mileage unit and go thru the normal rebuild and such. I know of someone who did the same swap using all the Explorer drive train (auto, transfer case and motor) in a long weekend. Took another week to sort out all the little problems that came up. Wiring is really easy, just have to be careful in mixing different year sensors anymore.
Dave - up here in Stevens Point (shoot me a PM)

[Nehring13]

ok, heres my stupid question of the day, im allowed one a day right? i found a 1998 Mercury Mountaineer 5.0this was the specs on the computer for it: ,4X4,MFI,5.0,GOoD MOTOR, 103000 miles for $600.
A. is it a good deal?
B. can i use it from a merc, and get a wiring harness and crap from a 98 explorer?
thanks again

[projectnitemare]

A mountaineer will be the same thing as an explorer. All the wiring you need will be there. If is it a full vehicle for $600 not too bad. With that milage though I would probably pull some stuff apart for inspection or replacement.

Matt

[Nehring13]

thanks, i was planning to rebuild it. break it all down, hone the cylinders, check all parts, rebuild kit, cam it, intake, then headers with a true dual exhaust, and whatever else i have to, i want to pull about 350 HP. i also would like to put in a t-5 tranny(i read about using the chevy t-5 plate and shift handle) id also plan on putting in an 8.8 rearend, and can i put a straight axle in the front? id like to do a12" susp lift, and a 2" bl. is all of this do-able? and how much of this can i get out of an explorer? thanks a lot.

[Mac]

I'd worry about just the engine swap right now. Think that all you are really going to need from the Mountaineer/Explorer if you insist on using a manual trans, is the motor, computer and all wiring and the radiator. Make sure all the front accesory brackets are there, they are expensive to replace. You should already have the 8.8 rear end. There are a couple of places in Milwawkee that have motors for $600 with under 30,000 miles, a couple under 200 miles.
Dave

[Nehring13]

id like to worry only about the motor, but this is my daily driver, and i have to get to school and work, so i would like to get all o the parts i need first so i can swap everything all at one time. not motor, then axles, then lift,....i want to do it in a one shot deal.

[projectnitemare]

That's a big shot, plan on it being down 6 months or even a year to get all that stuff done the right way. You won't be able to use a T5 with the Explorer computer. You'll have to find a computer for a manual transmission. On another note you are going to have even a harder time finding a T5 transfer case adapter. AA has stopped making it for a few years now and finding a used one is difficult and expensive. If you must have a T5 the way to go is an older divorced t-case on it's own crossmember. The 8.8 is a piece of cake. The SAS can get involved. Leafs or coils, radius arms or links and so on. What tire size are you planning on? That's a good bit of lift so I can assume at least a 37? An 8.8 and a Dana 44 aren't going to hold, that's Dana 60 land for sure. There is a lot of work in each of those projects. I would suggest doing one at a time so you can concentrate on getting it done the best way possible.

Matt

[Nehring13]

i was planning on running 35" or maybe 37" but id need dana 60's for that? and what else can i use for a tranny? id like stick, but ill take what i can get. also could i use an 87 fox mustang 5.0 HO motor if i got the ecm with it too? thanks a lot all of this is helping me out a ton.

[Mac]

With the '98' and newer Rangers, you are pretty much stuck using the Explorer computer. You can use a Mustang motor but then you would have to convert it work with the Explorer computer, in others words - start with an low mileage Explorer motor to begin with.
Dave

[Nehring13]

could i take an explorer motor, harness etc, and put on HO parts like heads, and headers and stuff or no?

[stranger]

yes but the ex motors are better than any used stang ho.the ex is a cobra motor with a hi tq cam.ford made it easy for you. a doner will have all you need.not worth playing games and mixing and matching different parts

[gfbgreaser289]

ok. first off, a explorer motor is not a cobra motor nor is it better than a 5.0 ho. the only thing that makes the ex motor nicer in stock form is the intake manifold its close to the cobra. it does not have forged pistons like the 5.0 ho or cobra it also doesnt use a distributor. if you are going to do the swap. find a complete low milage mustang motor with a complete harness and a9l or a9p computer and use that. i have 9 rangers with V8's in them. i also have one with a efi514 with p51 heads. in my daily driven (in california) 87 xcab i have a 93 cobra set up with a painless wiring harness and a np435/205 d60/ff9
on 38's. where are you located???

[stranger]

the 93 cobra had hypers,and gt 40 heads same as 96-97 ex,the gt40p's 97-01 are even better.the explorer upper is the only difference within 1.5 hp of the gt40 and < 1 hp difference from cobra.yes its a cobra with choked single exhaust,1.6 rockers,and tqyerrr cam.the ex harness plugs right in on most 98-01 swaps so why step backwords to ecc iv and not have your truck work right.and finally it is better than an ho for 98+swaps.this is just fact get used too it

[Mac]

Ford made a lot of changes in the '98' and newer Rangers that make it really hard to use the easy swap that most of you are used to when using the Mustang harness and computer. They also made it really easy to swap the Explorer in. Just way too much relies on the CPU now then before. Like Stranger said, going to have to get used to the new ways, just like the change from the 5.0 to the 4.6 and not having a distrubutor anymore. The GP-40P heads on the Explorer are the best stock iron heads Ford has ever made. The Explorer also comes with the 65mm TB and a shorter front acc. dress that make it fit in earlier trucks without having to run an electric fan.
Dave

[Nehring13]

i am used to this fact of using a newmotor, it just sucks to me. but life moves on. im pretty sure that regardless of what 5.0 i use it will handle all that i give it to do, other shit will break before it does. but thanks for the help. but where can i find a dana 60 front end that will fit in there?

[northerncountry]

what would happen if you used a carbed 5.0 with an msd ignition could you just say the hell with the computer?

[northerncountry]

I am from wisconsin and i want a simple old v8 that I know how to work on just like to good old 68 I have. DAMN THE COMPUTERS!!! LOL

[stranger]

its easier to use the ex/mount comp wiring and parts,+ its still the same 302 from 68 more or less.if you have the whole truck96-01 your golden.if not look for 96-97 wiring and pcm without pats.

[mudranger]

in answer to the previous poster- yep- if you run a carb setup with an MSD/ and a new distributor, you can ditch the computer- I know cause thats exactly what I did. You will have to get a distributor for the carb setup, but MSD makes a realy nice one. that with a good coil, and its 4 wires that plug right in, and you are in business....

[havok]

I have a 2000 ranger 4x4 with a 4.0L. I was thinking of swaping in a 5.0 this spring most likely out of an explorer as it seems the best choice. It's said that you will need to beat the firewall back for clearance, would a 3" body lift fix this. also, in relation to the rearend i have an 8.8 and noticed that so did the explorer's is the any other differance other than gears that would make the ranger rearend no be able to handle the 5.0. i plann on 35's being the max size i will put n the truck but most likely 33's.

[Mac]

Mudranger, the big difference in what you did and what Nehring13 has is that his is a OBD2, just about have to keep the computer to run everything. Things really changed in '98' with the wiring/computers.
Havok, find a 2000 Explorer, get everything on the motor, and that's about it. Hope you have an auto cause changing to a manual is tough. No problem at all with having to do a body lift or having to beat the firewall. The rear end is strong enough but a lot have up-graded to the 31 spline axles from the Explorer, not sure it's need (not running big tires or do mudding).
Dave

[mudranger]

yeah, you're right -I read his post again and he has a few more things to deal with, so no 4 wire plug n play solution....