larrystotler
New Member
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2012
- Messages
- 18
- Reaction score
- 2
- Points
- 1
- Vehicle Year
- 1987
- Make / Model
- ford
- Transmission
- Manual
I have a 1987 Range XLT 2WD. It's a nice truck that I paid $300 for (& $250 for a trans when I got it) and it ran great for about 2 years. Drove it from VA to the Florida Keys and back with no issue other than having to replace the carrier bearing when I got back.
Unfortunately, at 183k, the original engine went. 2 swaps later with crappy results, and I'm ready to swap to something better than a 2.9.I've looked into the following:
4.0L V6 - I have one from a 95 4WD, but the rewiring is just not something I want to do, nor do I want to replace my dash as others have done(I even have a 95 dash, but I prefer the original one). And I don't have a 2wd trans.
5.0L V8 - Would prefer a 351(more torque) but not doing a body lift. Looks very doable.
3.8L V6 - Similar to the 5.0 swap, but not a big fan of these engines(have one in my 97 Mustang convertible).
I really want to move away from fuel injection(mainly for the wiring and troubleshooting PITA issues that I always run into(uneless I could find a SIMPLE, easy to install aftermarket system that didn't cost $$$). It's going to be registered as an antique vehicle, so no emissions testing or yearly inspections and won't be driven much anyway.
However, recently I stumbled on a Buick V6 setup (early 80s, even fire, carb) with a 200R4 overdrive. Now, I'm not a purist. I've helped put 350s in Fords and 351 in a 55 Chevy pickup, amongst others. I want something simple, easy to do, and CHEAP to get this guy back on the road. Plus, I'd had several of these engines in various vehicles, and they are easy to work on and cheap to mod.
I've googled, but I haven't really found anyone who has done this. It's a popular swap for Jeeps and Toyotas, but haven't seen anyone who has done this in a Ranger. I'm sure there will be issues with the motor mounts and trans mount, but I think I can do the swap fairly cheaply.
Some questions I have are:
Gauges - Can I wire a GM temp sensor or oil pressure sensor to my existing gauge cluster?
Speedometer - How hard is it to adapt a GM trans to a Ranger cluster? or is it a no-go? Can't us the speedo in the donor because it's rectangular, but I'm sure they made round ones(monte carlo or grand prix).
Drive shaft - Probably gonna be the most $$ and will probably have to be custom made unless I can find the right type to shorten.
Rear End - These V6s can pack a punch - I haven't measured the rear I have access to, but I can't see why I can't use a GM 10 bolt in the rear and the ranger pattern in the front. If I get uni-lug wheels, then pattern shouldn't really matter(and I don't really care if I have ford front/GM rear since the front will have probably 205/60's and the rear will get 255/70s so it's not like I'm worried about rotating them. I guess I'd need either a uni-lug spare or 2 spares anyway due to size difference in the tires.
Gas tank - how hard is it to eliminate the in tank pump? The Buick has a mechanical pump.
I figure I'll have to probably make some custom brackets for the Alt, Power Steering, and AC Comp.
I'm sure there's more I haven't thought of. So, has anyone heard of someone doing this?
Thanx
Unfortunately, at 183k, the original engine went. 2 swaps later with crappy results, and I'm ready to swap to something better than a 2.9.I've looked into the following:
4.0L V6 - I have one from a 95 4WD, but the rewiring is just not something I want to do, nor do I want to replace my dash as others have done(I even have a 95 dash, but I prefer the original one). And I don't have a 2wd trans.
5.0L V8 - Would prefer a 351(more torque) but not doing a body lift. Looks very doable.
3.8L V6 - Similar to the 5.0 swap, but not a big fan of these engines(have one in my 97 Mustang convertible).
I really want to move away from fuel injection(mainly for the wiring and troubleshooting PITA issues that I always run into(uneless I could find a SIMPLE, easy to install aftermarket system that didn't cost $$$). It's going to be registered as an antique vehicle, so no emissions testing or yearly inspections and won't be driven much anyway.
However, recently I stumbled on a Buick V6 setup (early 80s, even fire, carb) with a 200R4 overdrive. Now, I'm not a purist. I've helped put 350s in Fords and 351 in a 55 Chevy pickup, amongst others. I want something simple, easy to do, and CHEAP to get this guy back on the road. Plus, I'd had several of these engines in various vehicles, and they are easy to work on and cheap to mod.
I've googled, but I haven't really found anyone who has done this. It's a popular swap for Jeeps and Toyotas, but haven't seen anyone who has done this in a Ranger. I'm sure there will be issues with the motor mounts and trans mount, but I think I can do the swap fairly cheaply.
Some questions I have are:
Gauges - Can I wire a GM temp sensor or oil pressure sensor to my existing gauge cluster?
Speedometer - How hard is it to adapt a GM trans to a Ranger cluster? or is it a no-go? Can't us the speedo in the donor because it's rectangular, but I'm sure they made round ones(monte carlo or grand prix).
Drive shaft - Probably gonna be the most $$ and will probably have to be custom made unless I can find the right type to shorten.
Rear End - These V6s can pack a punch - I haven't measured the rear I have access to, but I can't see why I can't use a GM 10 bolt in the rear and the ranger pattern in the front. If I get uni-lug wheels, then pattern shouldn't really matter(and I don't really care if I have ford front/GM rear since the front will have probably 205/60's and the rear will get 255/70s so it's not like I'm worried about rotating them. I guess I'd need either a uni-lug spare or 2 spares anyway due to size difference in the tires.
Gas tank - how hard is it to eliminate the in tank pump? The Buick has a mechanical pump.
I figure I'll have to probably make some custom brackets for the Alt, Power Steering, and AC Comp.
I'm sure there's more I haven't thought of. So, has anyone heard of someone doing this?
Thanx
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