302 into 2000 ranger

beans · Aug 22, 2014

this is my first post hear i have a 2000 ford ranger with 2.5 and an M5OD i want to do a 5.0 swap and every swap i see for a 98 and newer is with an explorer 5.0 the engine im about to get is out of a 94 branco i want to know if a ]nyone has done a swap on a ranger this new with a 5.0 from something other than an explorer. explorer mounts will fit right on a ranger of my year (so i have been told) my idea is just use explorer mounts and it should work unless the way they mount to the block is different or maybe there is another reason it will not work i know im going to need a different trans and change things from the radiator to the fuel pump and i need to find a fuel system that can work fuel injection may be hard to make work and id rather run carb if i can but then i would have to find a way to get an inspection sticker but i dont want to get half way threw and find out the engine will not work in my truck

stmitch · Aug 22, 2014

I think the Explorer engine mounts only work on trucks with torsion bar suspension like what the Explorers had, so all 4wd Rangers, and any Edge/trailhead model 2wd truck could use them. If you have coils springs up front though, I don't think the Expo mounts will work.

Also, it sounds like you have emissions test in your area. In most states, you cannot swap an older engine into your vehicle and still pass those tests, so you'd have to check what the laws are in your area about that.

win · Aug 22, 2014

Having a complete Explorer to pull from really helps solve a ton of issues:

The Expo and Ranger A/C systems marry together seamlessly.

The Expo front accessory drive fits with room for the Expo fan -- no so with the F150/Bronco.

A 2000/2001 Expo fuel injection system will pass inspection in states that check such things in a 2000 vehicle.

The Expo intake system fits under the hood of the Ranger, no so the F150/Bronco.

The Expo and Ranger power steering systems play nice with each other.

The Expo and Ranger fuel delivery systems play nice with each other.

Yea, with a coil spring 2000 Ranger, you'll need mounting plates for the engine to a set of Ranger 4.0 engine mounts but that'd be exactly the same as you'd need for any 302/5.0.

With care, the Expo 5.0 can go into a Ranger and look absolutely stock. The Expo radiator and fan shroud fit, the air filter system fits, shoot, the whole thing fits.

Lastly, the Expo 302/5.0's use just about the best pieces Ford had available, either the GT40 or GT40P heads, the GT40 intake -- you just don't get the forged internals of the "real" GT engine.

It's not that the Expo 5.0 is the only possible solution, but it probably is the best possible solution and as inexpensively as a crashed/wrecked 5.0 Expo can be bought, makes for a very attractive package to start with.

RangerSVT · Aug 22, 2014

99-01 explorer 5.0 (which use the same components for these years, including the ecu and emissions) is the donor you're looking for. Only the dealer can tell the difference of years, the epa & inspection guys can't. Tell them its from an 01, they couldn't tell the difference.
As stated, the bronco intake won't fit, carb is out as your speedo won't work, and you won't pass inspection. I don't remember which fuel system the Y2K uses, but I think its return style, which means changing to the returnless style fuel system. Pats is another issue, as all 98-01 explorers use them. Depending on how good your wiring skills are will determine how easy this swap will be...

SVT

beans · Aug 23, 2014

sounds like endless problems that would make this take months if i need explorer parts to make it all fit i might just wait tell i can find a totaled explorer my state only has emissions in some countys so so i could get a sticker if i register it somewhere else in the state but thats just another obstacle to throw on the list of this engine so now my next question is does anyone know what standard transmission will work on an explorer 5.0

RangerSVT · Aug 23, 2014

T5 for a 2wd, M5ODR2 or ZF for 4wd...

SVT

bobbywalter · Aug 23, 2014

stmitch said:
I think the Explorer engine mounts only work on trucks with torsion bar suspension like what the Explorers had, so all 4wd Rangers, and any Edge/trailhead model 2wd truck could use them. If you have coils springs up front though, I don't think the Expo mounts will work.

Also, it sounds like you have emissions test in your area. In most states, you cannot swap an older engine into your vehicle and still pass those tests, so you'd have to check what the laws are in your area about that.

oil pan fitment is an issue, plate style mounts adapt across the generations.

sounds like endless problems that would make this take months if i need explorer parts to make it all fit i might just wait tell i can find a totaled explorer my state only has emissions in some countys so so i could get a sticker if i register it somewhere else in the state but thats just another obstacle to throw on the list of this engine so now my next question is does anyone know what standard transmission will work on an explorer 5.0

don't be discouraged so easily beans, finding an explorer dress or obd2 truck/van setup is not so hard to do. there were many explorers needlessly cash for clunkered by edict of thee king which had their engines locked up for no good reason...which makes haggling the rest pretty easy. I still see spray painted death engine equipped vehicles up here as the scrap prices been down more then not. I am far from home and out of the sbf business for the time being, so what I have I been sitting on. a little patience and smart shopping with a well researched list of parts will make the actual swap go very easy and quickly.

Jbrown1238 · Aug 23, 2014

win said:
Having a complete Explorer to pull from really helps solve a ton of issues:

The Expo and Ranger A/C systems marry together seamlessly.

The Expo front accessory drive fits with room for the Expo fan -- no so with the F150/Bronco.

A 2000/2001 Expo fuel injection system will pass inspection in states that check such things in a 2000 vehicle.

The Expo intake system fits under the hood of the Ranger, no so the F150/Bronco.

The Expo and Ranger power steering systems play nice with each other.

The Expo and Ranger fuel delivery systems play nice with each other.

Yea, with a coil spring 2000 Ranger, you'll need mounting plates for the engine to a set of Ranger 4.0 engine mounts but that'd be exactly the same as you'd need for any 302/5.0.

With care, the Expo 5.0 can go into a Ranger and look absolutely stock. The Expo radiator and fan shroud fit, the air filter system fits, shoot, the whole thing fits.

Lastly, the Expo 302/5.0's use just about the best pieces Ford had available, either the GT40 or GT40P heads, the GT40 intake -- you just don't get the forged internals of the "real" GT engine.

It's not that the Expo 5.0 is the only possible solution, but it probably is the best possible solution and as inexpensively as a crashed/wrecked 5.0 Expo can be bought, makes for a very attractive package to start with.

Well said, I could not agree with you more. Before I got started I read a few threads on this site and found that the 98, 99, or 00 Ranger was the easiest swap there was when going with the 00 or 01 Explorer 5.0. That is the route I went with.

302 into 2000 ranger

beans

New Member

stmitch

March 2011 STOTM Winner

win

Member

RangerSVT

Oct 09 OTOTM

beans

New Member

RangerSVT

Oct 09 OTOTM

bobbywalter

TRS Technical Staff

Jbrown1238

Member

Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Members online

Member & Vendor Upgrades

Latest posts

Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Follow TRS On Instagram

Latest Album Photos

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store

Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad

Amazon Deals