I'm new here and building a v8 ranger

[Moose_]

Been reading and poking around for the last couple months, getting ready for my 1987 V8 build... and here it is!

Truck is a 1987 XLT with the FI 2.3L 4 cyl, 4 speed AOD.
Spent the last year sitting in a field in Shawville, QC. Towed it out with a subaru, and now its back in Ottawa, ON ready for the swap. I'm in Canada.

I picked up a motor and parts last night. Ford 302, supposedly a '74 (smog )

Pictures will follow.

 

[Moose_]

Pictures

Got two rads, two starters, coil, extra wires, air cleaner, some exhaust (maybe off a Torino). Got a pretty good deal on all of it, so I'm happy.

 

[Moose_]

Oh forgot about the tranny- I got a tranny with the engine- What should I do about the driveshaft?

 

[ATX]

Really the driveshaft most likely is going to be the last thing to worry about right now .get the motor and trans in first . I just finish my 94 ranger . I went to the junkyard and pulled the longest one piece aluminum ford shaft I could find with matching yoke and rear diff flange . Sent it to the driveshaft shop in town and had it shortened . Cheaper to shortern then extend for sure . Most newer fords are going to have the right yoke depending on years (some short ,some long nosed ) . Atleast anything with a 4r70w . What rear end is in yours actually ? if its 7.5 think about goi g to a expo 8.8 with drums or disk if you can . Get posi out of it and a better gear setup (my came with 3.73 ) . Hope I helped a lil brotha

 

[win]

I'll second moving to an 8.8 with limited slip and disk brakes. Nearly all the 2nd gen Explorers have the 8.8 trac-loc with disks and it's a very worthwhile addition.

The Expo rear axle is not a "drop in" swap, needing new spring perches and shock mounts but nothing just a bit of cutting, grinding and welding won't accomplish.

 

[stmitch]

I'll second moving to an 8.8 with limited slip and disk brakes. Nearly all the 2nd gen Explorers have the 8.8 trac-loc with disks and it's a very worthwhile addition.

The Expo rear axle is not a "drop in" swap, needing new spring perches and shock mounts but nothing just a bit of cutting, grinding and welding won't accomplish.

This is good advice, but it's important to remember that the Expo rear axle is about 3 inches wider than the stock rear axle in a squarebody, so it can cause issues with wheel/tire fitment.

 

[bobbywalter]

was all of that free?


i have a hard time understanding using a windsor first with all things considered. i love windsors but when doing a total powertrain overhaul it just dont make sense to me to use such a nutless archaic limited platform.

today....my first choice to v8 a ranger just for the noise and power factor would be an ls powertrain. it is easy power and economy....

from there....in a 2wd reg cab it would be an ecoboost 4 cyl variant


pretty sure a ls for any sort of 4x4...but a boost in a small 4x4 would be great.


this may be because i am getting really lazy and old and just want a drop in solution instead of wasting shit tons of time and money rebuilding stuff...the idea of doing a v8 swap with less then 330-350 hp seems patently ridiculous to me these days. well considering what is available.

 

[ATX]

I'll second moving to an 8.8 with limited slip and disk brakes. Nearly all the 2nd gen Explorers have the 8.8 trac-loc with disks and it's a very worthwhile addition.



The Expo rear axle is not a "drop in" swap, needing new spring perches and shock mounts but nothing just a bit of cutting, grinding and welding won't accomplish.

You are right .its not a straight bolt in deal and wheel tire combo will change possibly . I was able to install my 96 expo rear with no welding involved on my 94 extended cab . I used a 2 driver side leaf spring /shock mounts from the same year expo ( can use 2 passenger if needed, just have to have 2 of the same sides and rotate 180 ) . I had to make the ebrake cable work with a couple cable clamps but know there's a oem Solution out there . The reason I went this route is I wanted to lower my ranger using the expo diff and leaf packs (ranger has 3 ,expo 4 . If you are trying to retain stock height or 4x4 then I can see having to weld new Perches .


I just wanna go fast [emoji48]

 

[bobbywalter]

You are right .its not a straight bolt in deal and wheel tire combo will change possibly . I was able to install my 96 expo rear with no welding involved on my 94 extended cab . I used a 2 driver side leaf spring /shock mounts from the same year expo ( can use 2 passenger if needed, just have to have 2 of the same sides and rotate 180 ) . I had to make the ebrake cable work with a couple cable clamps but know there's a oem Solution out there . The reason I went this route is I wanted to lower my ranger using the expo diff and leaf packs (ranger has 3 ,expo 4 . If you are trying to retain stock height or 4x4 then I can see having to weld new Perches .


I just wanna go fast [emoji48]

an additional mod for go fast and handling would be to mount the shocks identically instead of the factory crap compromise for fuel tank and spare tire fitment. but i do the same setup you describe when i have to. you can actually fit the axle with no welding if necessary when using two drivers side plates spring over.


and pulling the bed sides to fit the explorer axle and huge sticky tires looks great to me as well. and its free.

no reason to not use the wider axle.

 

[Moose_]

Lots of good info so far.

bobby- Not free. Truck was about 300$ (me giving my buddy "scrap" value).
All the parts including motor were another $300.

My thoughts went first to a 2.3t build... however the sticker shock on a set of pistons scared me straight out of that. Tried all the local junk yards for 2.3t mustnags/ t-birds. Seems all the talk of "widely available" is from threads dating back 10 years.

Then I started shopping around... I would have been interested in a modular swap, but that seems a little too much work/ not enough instant gratification for my liking.

And then I found this cheapo 302 that was *apparently* running when pulled from a mustang. Guy was into showing the car, and motor had been in his garage for 8 years before I came along.

I would agree that swapping a V8 that will only give up 140hp/200ft# is a little daft... but the potential is there. My end goal is 200/275. Not looking to wreck a frame, just make some smoke and noise. Not interested in fast either, so shorter final drive would suit me nicely. Trying to iron out what I need before junkyards go 10 feet under snow.

 

[Moose_]

Parts list

Oh- and heres the parts list from rock auto so far.

Whatdya think?

Dual sump pan, remote oil filter, mustang conv mounts

 

[bobbywalter]

at 1000 bux or so total outlay truck and powertrain for a good runner i cant blame ya. this qualifies as free in my eyes


if that pan is from a mustang 2 and in good shape you may be able to trade or sell it off for a fox pan and still make money on it...the drivers manifold looks like that style....maverick/stang


i know of a guy that just paid 300 plus for a nos pan for a cobra 2. i was looking at one of his pintos, he sells like he buys.

 

[prymetime1]

ListLooks good mang.

What are u doing for headers? Maybe I missed it?

 

[Moose_]

ListLooks good mang.

What are u doing for headers? Maybe I missed it?

Got the 70's manifolds that came on the motor- from a mustang.

Have the "downpipes" (?) from the torino, with a hideous looking y-pipe. Was gonna make an exhaust up with some cheap flowmasters or similar. I want something unsuspecting, and not deafening, but loud.

Good idea on the oil pan. I was warned that it was leaking, but didnt think too much about it. Hope its still intact and can be resold.

I got a steering wheel (off the mustang) thrown in the deal... Think I can adapt it to work? It has a spline on it- dont know more than that.

 

[prymetime1]

Sorry mang, I did miss that. Going to reread. Lol. Not sure on the steering wheel aspect.