1988 4x4 V8 swap

tb68 · Aug 11, 2008

I found this board and it looks very informative. I have an 88 Ranger 4x4 STX. I never plan on parting with this truck as I bought it from a good friend, the original owner, in 1990. My engine (2.9) is nearing a rebuild w/almost 200k miles. I have an interest in dropping a 5.0 in out of a 88 - 93 Mustang. What complications does the 4wd present? I probably could have looked around a little more and found this info out but I haven't seemed to come across the right info yet. Thanks for any help or any useful links.

turbo cat · Aug 11, 2008

motor mounts, headers or manifolds, wiring harness, exhuast, trans and transfer case, u joints and modded or custom drivelines. Its going to cost you some $$$ and take you some time if your doing it yourself. I belive advanced adapters has the mounts and headers for the swap. I belive you need a trans/tcase out of a f150, are you going carbed or EFI? i remeber reading that you have to clearance the tunnel with a hammer a little bit to get the trans to fit. As for the trans crossm,ember im sure someone will jump in.

If you do want to stay in your budget you can also do a 4.0 swap as they are basically the same motor as the 2.9

tb68 · Aug 11, 2008

Thanks man. I will not be doing this myself. I know it wont be cheap but I would rather have it done right. I have had several Fox body Mustangs and one 66 model. I have the urge for another V8 toy so I thought why not try it with the Ranger? Like I said, I have had it almst 20 yrs and do not ever plan on getting rid of it. Carb or EFI really doesnt matter. It has a 5 spd now, and I am not real particualr about auto or 5 spd. Thanks again.

lil red · Aug 12, 2008

a body lift would be the first thing on my list if i were you
i hear they make clearance issues dissapear.....

Dishtowel · Aug 12, 2008

Body lift
Advanced adapters can mate up to your existing t-case if you want 4x4, (I was not overly impressed on what I got for how much I paid. )
Notch the frame to fit exhaust or reaserch the right headers
Can make rudimentary motor mounts, depending on $$ I would buy some.
New throttle, just get a generic one from Lokar.
Will have to address how to shift your transmission, I had to build my own linkage.
Obviously need a bigger rad, I have a 4.0L rad out of a exploder, and it is JUST enough, I also had to build my own rad support.
Remote oil filter.

Dont have to do much for suspension, perhaps some washers, or F150 springs if you dont want lift.

Why not do it yourself? Many guys do, some do it bush league, some do it better than a factory install. Just snoop around in the V8 forum, good stuff there.

Best of luck.

1988 4x4 V8 swap

tb68

10+ Year Member

turbo cat

15+ Year Member

tb68

10+ Year Member

lil red

15+ Year Member

Dishtowel

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