RioRanger505
New Member
- Joined
- Oct 13, 2015
- Messages
- 21
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 0
- Location
- Rio Rancho - N.M.
- Vehicle Year
- 2003
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Engine Size
- 3.0
- Transmission
- Automatic
03 Ford Ranger Magnitude?
What I have now:
-A POS
-3.0
-Automatic
-Single Cab
-Short bed
Goals:
-EcoBoost (2.0 or 2.3)
-Manual
-IRS
-Creature comforts
-Road course/Autocross/DD
Info Gathered so far:
I have a lot of time to do research at work so here's what I've gathered so far. If anything is wrong feel free to correct me. The 2.0 and 2.3 EcoBoost share their block with the 2.3 Duratec. Knowing that (this may sound stupid roast me if you feel you need) will the motor mounts for the 2.0 be the same even though the 2.0 is normally a FWD application? Would the motor mounts be the same from the Duratec to the 2.3 EcoBoost? I also just found out the Australian Ford Falcon uses the 2.0 EcoBoost in a RWD application so I could also look at adapting those mounts to fit the Ranger. I'm leaning towards the 2.0 because Ford already has the Controls Pack out for it so the wiring will be simpler, assuming I can use the Controls Pack on a non crate motor, but I lean towards the 2.3 because it's first use is in RWD form in the Mustang which is in the U.S. (as opposed to the Falcon in Australia) and hopefully that means it'll bolt up to the Duratec mounts without importing mounts from Australia.
As far as having a manual, I read the entire project ugly horse series a couple nights ago and the NC Miata transmission bolts right up to the EcoBoost. Simple enough. The Controls Pack from Ford is only for the engine correct? So I'd need a standalone for the transmission. Again, not too terrible.
For the suspension, I need to look into it more but I know there was the B-Series/Ranger "Rolling Thunder" project with an IRS swap. The last goal ties in with this one. I'm sure people are thinking,"Da fuq? Why IRS? Solid axle strength FTW if your goal is power, bro." well that's where you'd be wrong! I'm not looking for some ridiculous HP/TQ numbers with a solid axle and 4 link for 1/4 mile runs. If that's what I wanted I'd look into a 3.5 EB, Coyote, or 302. I want to do Road Course and Autocross racing. Or have it set up to do so at least while maintaining daily drivability. It'll help with comfort too, so it's a win win to me.
Last goal is creature comforts, ahhhh creature comforts. AC, decent stereo and speakers, and power steering. Those are the only three I can think of for now but I really want/need these. I know I'll need custom brackets fabricated to make the PS work but I know a guy with a talent for fabrication so I should be ok there as well as with the motor mount issues, should they arise.
The elephant in the room is of course budget. I know this will be costly but it'll be worth it (to me at least) no doubt. Looking at the 2.0 EB, they are considerably cheaper than the 2.3. I'd assume the saturation of 2.0 liters in the market is the biggest reason, behind age of the motors. I've found several 2.0's running and functioning normally before being pulled with decently low miles (not that I'm worried after watching the torture tests on the 3.5 a few years back) for around $2500. You figure another $1500 for the controls pack, $1k for transmission with low miles, and $1500 for miscellaneous crap such as high pressure fueling to get it running. That would be the initial cost which I figure I can have put together in about 18 months. After dropping the money for the swap I'll slowly assemble the IRS and install it around 6 months later. Last but not least will be the looks. The wheels and tires, paint, fiberglass bed cover, interior, etc. By the end I'm fully prepared to have a 15+ year old Ford Ranger with over $20k invested. Why? Because it's different, I plan to keep it for a LOOOOOOOOOOOOONG time (not that the wife will let me purchase anything for another 15 years after dropping all that money), and it'll be my creation. A build with a semi-solid plan, lots of research, and one that actually came to fruition.
P.S. - Any suggestions for names for the truck? I love the F-150 Tremor and this will essentially be a baby Tremor so I figured something relating to earthquakes would be kind of cool.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
What I have now:
-A POS
-3.0
-Automatic
-Single Cab
-Short bed
Goals:
-EcoBoost (2.0 or 2.3)
-Manual
-IRS
-Creature comforts
-Road course/Autocross/DD
Info Gathered so far:
I have a lot of time to do research at work so here's what I've gathered so far. If anything is wrong feel free to correct me. The 2.0 and 2.3 EcoBoost share their block with the 2.3 Duratec. Knowing that (this may sound stupid roast me if you feel you need) will the motor mounts for the 2.0 be the same even though the 2.0 is normally a FWD application? Would the motor mounts be the same from the Duratec to the 2.3 EcoBoost? I also just found out the Australian Ford Falcon uses the 2.0 EcoBoost in a RWD application so I could also look at adapting those mounts to fit the Ranger. I'm leaning towards the 2.0 because Ford already has the Controls Pack out for it so the wiring will be simpler, assuming I can use the Controls Pack on a non crate motor, but I lean towards the 2.3 because it's first use is in RWD form in the Mustang which is in the U.S. (as opposed to the Falcon in Australia) and hopefully that means it'll bolt up to the Duratec mounts without importing mounts from Australia.
As far as having a manual, I read the entire project ugly horse series a couple nights ago and the NC Miata transmission bolts right up to the EcoBoost. Simple enough. The Controls Pack from Ford is only for the engine correct? So I'd need a standalone for the transmission. Again, not too terrible.
For the suspension, I need to look into it more but I know there was the B-Series/Ranger "Rolling Thunder" project with an IRS swap. The last goal ties in with this one. I'm sure people are thinking,"Da fuq? Why IRS? Solid axle strength FTW if your goal is power, bro." well that's where you'd be wrong! I'm not looking for some ridiculous HP/TQ numbers with a solid axle and 4 link for 1/4 mile runs. If that's what I wanted I'd look into a 3.5 EB, Coyote, or 302. I want to do Road Course and Autocross racing. Or have it set up to do so at least while maintaining daily drivability. It'll help with comfort too, so it's a win win to me.
Last goal is creature comforts, ahhhh creature comforts. AC, decent stereo and speakers, and power steering. Those are the only three I can think of for now but I really want/need these. I know I'll need custom brackets fabricated to make the PS work but I know a guy with a talent for fabrication so I should be ok there as well as with the motor mount issues, should they arise.
The elephant in the room is of course budget. I know this will be costly but it'll be worth it (to me at least) no doubt. Looking at the 2.0 EB, they are considerably cheaper than the 2.3. I'd assume the saturation of 2.0 liters in the market is the biggest reason, behind age of the motors. I've found several 2.0's running and functioning normally before being pulled with decently low miles (not that I'm worried after watching the torture tests on the 3.5 a few years back) for around $2500. You figure another $1500 for the controls pack, $1k for transmission with low miles, and $1500 for miscellaneous crap such as high pressure fueling to get it running. That would be the initial cost which I figure I can have put together in about 18 months. After dropping the money for the swap I'll slowly assemble the IRS and install it around 6 months later. Last but not least will be the looks. The wheels and tires, paint, fiberglass bed cover, interior, etc. By the end I'm fully prepared to have a 15+ year old Ford Ranger with over $20k invested. Why? Because it's different, I plan to keep it for a LOOOOOOOOOOOOONG time (not that the wife will let me purchase anything for another 15 years after dropping all that money), and it'll be my creation. A build with a semi-solid plan, lots of research, and one that actually came to fruition.
P.S. - Any suggestions for names for the truck? I love the F-150 Tremor and this will essentially be a baby Tremor so I figured something relating to earthquakes would be kind of cool.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Last edited: