302/ manual conversion

Gwilly65 · Jan 11, 2016

I have a 90 ford ranger xlt with the A4LD and 4.0l. The plan is to swap a 302 into it and a manual trans. I have the engine already and am starting to breaking it down to re build. I am also trying to start putting aside money for other part, radiator, headers, etc.

The question is, what will break the bank on this build? Other than actually buying the engine and trans. From what I can tell it will be the rebuild kit for the engine, or a custom exhaust. When I put the engine in, will it sit further back than the 4.0l or will it just be further forward? What company makes the motor mounts for this conversion?

84FreakRanger · Jan 11, 2016

Gwilly65 said:
I have a 90 ford ranger xlt with the A4LD and 4.0l. The plan is to swap a 302 into it and a manual trans. I have the engine already and am starting to breaking it down to re build. I am also trying to start putting aside money for other part, radiator, headers, etc.

The question is, what will break the bank on this build? Other than actually buying the engine and trans. From what I can tell it will be the rebuild kit for the engine, or a custom exhaust. When I put the engine in, will it sit further back than the 4.0l or will it just be further forward? What company makes the motor mounts for this conversion?

Trans Dapt makes the motor mounts kit, but some of us use 93 mustang convertible motor mounts to mount the motor in. It will sit forward, you might have to get a radiator http://www.ebay.com/itm/390648150682?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT to go inside the radiator core support, get the tri-y headers for an old mustang and so on. I just built my 84 ranger

Elutheros · Jan 12, 2016

What will most likely break the bank? Depends on what you put into the engine--I spent $800 on engine shop work including new bearings, valve job, etc, $200 on the exhaust without buying a new muffler or headers, $200 on getting the driveshafts set up, $250 on trans and T/C and those are conservative estimates. It adds up quick if you don't have a cheap u-pull-it JY nearby.

Gwilly65 · Jan 13, 2016

Luckily I work at the local junkyard, so I got my engine and tranny cheap. My boss told me tho that the 5 speed transmission I got from an 89' F-250 will bolt right on and is the same length as my A4LD that is currently in my truck. I don't know what the exact model of tranny is, I just know it's a mazda tranny.

Gwilly65 · Jan 13, 2016

I also looked at the transdabt kit and it says for a 2WD, would that matter if it is just motor mounts and radiator?

85_Ranger4x4 · Jan 13, 2016

Gwilly65 said:
Luckily I work at the local junkyard, so I got my engine and tranny cheap. My boss told me tho that the 5 speed transmission I got from an 89' F-250 will bolt right on and is the same length as my A4LD that is currently in my truck. I don't know what the exact model of tranny is, I just know it's a mazda tranny.

It would be an M5OD. A 97-08 4.2L F-150 M5OD has the shifter moved towards the rear like a Ranger transmission so you won't have to cut a hole in your floor up near the firewall for your shifter.

If you can I would trade, if you can't I would still find a different trans. Not worth it to me to have a huge hole in the floor of your truck from the firewall to the front of the seat (counting the hole that is there already)

The only real snag is the bolt holes to mount it to the engine are 12mm and a 5.0/302 takes 1/2" (12.7mm) so you have to drill out the holes, nothing to it. That and that most 4x4 5-speeds are 4.6L powered (totally wrong bellhousing pattern) and most 4.2L 5-speeds are 2wd. They are out there just not as popular.

And I would just make plates to sit on your stock V6 mounts. Lots more adjustability than Foxbody mounts. Since you work in a JY 5.0 Explorers already have them.

Gwilly65 · Jan 13, 2016

What trans should I be looking for then? Should I just try and find a M5OD from a 4.2l, or something else? I know of a few that I could pull at work, but I don't know what the history on them is or even what they are.

85_Ranger4x4 · Jan 13, 2016

Gwilly65 said:
What trans should I be looking for then? Should I just try and find a M5OD from a 4.2l, or something else? I know of a few that I could pull at work, but I don't know what the history on them is or even what they are.

97-08 4.2 with whatever drivetrain you want (I previously assumed you had a 4wd but now notice you don't say)

If you have a 4wd and want to keep it get a 4wd, if you have a 2wd and want to keep it a 2wd get a 2wd (there should be piles of 2wd M5OD's around)

If 2wd you will need a 97-98 (IIRC) to get a place to put your speedo. Will have to change some parts, look up Twister's BII build, he did a similar conversion with a late model T-case going into his BII. The speedo drive/VSS conversion is probably similar.

Gwilly65 · Jan 13, 2016

I do have a 4WD and I plan on keeping, being in Montana it's kinda needed. The trans I have, after doing some research, is a M5OD-R1. That is the one that I have found to be in the rangers and F-150's of the time.

85_Ranger4x4 · Jan 14, 2016

Not the same trans. 4WD would make the 97+ one easier since you can run whatever tcase for your speedo.

Gwilly65 · Jan 14, 2016

I will take a look tonight at work to see what we have. know for a fact that we have a trans from a 97 F-150 but i do not know what it is.

Gwilly65 · Feb 4, 2016

I am looking at purchasing this conversation kit,http://autoplicity.com/1338644-allstar-performance-conversion-kit-302ranger?gclid=Cj0KEQiAisy1BRD7_YSgpduD2cEBEiQAPR3UuLklhwVI2zWCU3Z2GDF97vJglGtKhw66NHm5ZAN1-tEaAuGE8P8HAQ. Would it work with a manual trans, and will it fit a 4wd.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

85_Ranger4x4 · Feb 4, 2016

Gwilly65 said:
I am looking at purchasing this conversation kit,http://autoplicity.com/1338644-allstar-performance-conversion-kit-302ranger?gclid=Cj0KEQiAisy1BRD7_YSgpduD2cEBEiQAPR3UuLklhwVI2zWCU3Z2GDF97vJglGtKhw66NHm5ZAN1-tEaAuGE8P8HAQ. Would it work with a manual trans, and will it fit a 4wd.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

Conversion kits are a good starting point when installing a 289 - 302 with a C-4 transmission combination into a 1982-97 Ranger 2WD

Header doesn't look very 4wd friendly. Just piece it out, those kits are ridiculously priced.

Gwilly65 · Feb 4, 2016

What kind of Radiator and headers should I get

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85_Ranger4x4 · Feb 4, 2016

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/V8Conversions.shtml

I used a stock two core Explorer rad with a pusher efan and a low profile flex fan. No A/C, it works fine though.

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133205&highlight=fead

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=95640&page=2

I used 88400's, my pics are in there.

302/ manual conversion

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