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Am I getting in over my head?


Chad1109

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VW
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Hey I'm new here and do not currently have a ranger. Here is my issue. I have a line on a really amazing deal for a super clean 88' ranger roller with a lot of goodies for it. When I started planning on a v8 "mini truck" build I wanted to go with a s10 and lt1/t56 combo. Well I have a nice 60k mile lt1 that i got for a really good deal and now I come across this ranger. It's almost too good of a deal to pass up but I have never done an engine "conversion" before. Would I be looking at more work then I am cut out for? My welding/fabrication skills are good enough to make things strong but not pretty lol. This is also going to be my first real "build". Mostly have just done modifying a running vehicle and standard maintainence.... I am pretty mechanically inclined along with my roommate who is an engineer (and my wiring guy ?).
 


bobbywalter

bobbywalter

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Location
woodhaven mi
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
FORD mostly
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
BIGGER
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
sawzall?
Tire Size
33-44
My credo
it is easier to fix and understand than "her"
back around 94 i had a brand new crab-cap opti spark critter lt1 engine for my ranger....it was before we knew they were turds.

i traded it for a new gt40 and some aod trans/c4 trans and t cases. my truck has been v8 powered since 1995...


that said.....do it, get it done.

i have essentially a big block in my truck...it is gm based....a 6.2. its actually a detroit diesel...but mimics a gm block as far as mounts and uses the gm trans.

you have to change it all anyway....so run what you want. its yours.
 
bobbywalter

bobbywalter

TRS Technical Staff
TRS Event Staff
V8 Engine Swap
TRS Technical Advisor
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
Ugly Truck of Month
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 9, 2007
Messages
23,470
Reaction score
4,668
Points
113
Location
woodhaven mi
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
FORD mostly
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
BIGGER
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
sawzall?
Tire Size
33-44
My credo
it is easier to fix and understand than "her"
oh....before i landed the vette engine i was considering a 4.3/5speed combo.


that is how much better i liked the 4.3 over the 2.9 or even the venerable 4.0 ford.
 

Chad1109

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Joined
Sep 13, 2015
Messages
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Vehicle Year
2008
Make / Model
VW
Transmission
Automatic
How much of a pain in the ass is the LT1/T56 swap? I am just afraid to be getting in over my head and have a pile of junk that never gets finished. I am pretty certain with enough time me and my buddy can pretty much accomplish anything but there isn't a whole lot of info out there on a swap like this and IDK if it is going to end up needing extreme modification and what not. BTW a diesel 6.2 swap is ballsy and awesome!
 
bobbywalter

bobbywalter

TRS Technical Staff
TRS Event Staff
V8 Engine Swap
TRS Technical Advisor
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
Ugly Truck of Month
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 9, 2007
Messages
23,470
Reaction score
4,668
Points
113
Location
woodhaven mi
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
FORD mostly
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
BIGGER
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
sawzall?
Tire Size
33-44
My credo
it is easier to fix and understand than "her"
not sure how to answer that.



i could give you my truck....and i bet within a few weeks it would be a non running pile of junk because working on it without SYSTEM KNOWLEDGE would be a trainwreck.
 
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