Have a 2011 2WD Ford Ranger 4.0 w/ supercharger... How feasible is the Explorer 5.0 swap for me?

[AdamPosey]

Hi TRS! I'm new here. Been lurking around for a little bit, taking in what knowledge I've come across. I always try to figure out things myself before inconveniencing those around me for help; nonetheless, I think my case may be rather unique.

I acquired a garage-kept 2011 Ford Ranger Sport 2WD in Torch Red in 2022. It had less than 20,000 miles on it, when I acquired it. I've since put around 7,000 on it. I don't do off-roading; I just use my truck as a daily commuter and occasionally haul things around town for my hobbies and what not. So, I've kept the truck almost completely stock.
One thing I did want, though, was more power. So, I acquired a reman supercharger from a Thunderbird and installed it onto my Ranger with the Moddbox kit. The extra power and torque has been very satisfying, and I haven't pushed the boost that crazy at all.

However, I can't help but think that a V8 and the sound that it would make, would be even more satisfying.

I would like to hear from y'all (the experts and enthusiasts) on what y'all think about the idea of putting an Explorer 5.0 into my 2011 2WD Ford Ranger. I have already located a 1998 Ford Explorer 5.0 donor vehicle nearby that I could acquire. As well as a reman 2WD 4R70W that I could acquire. I've even got some quotes on a reman Explorer 5.0 engine. I would like to keep the truck 2WD for simplicity (and thus reliability) and fuel economy's sake.

Am I crazy for wanting to do this? If I do this, I would like to keep it feeling OEM the whole way. And is there anything that y'all can think of that I am going to need that I won't already have by just acquiring a donor vehicle and 2WD tranny?

Thank you for taking the time out of your day to hear about my curiosities. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Roert42]

Completely feasible, just not road legal in most places.

 

[2011Supercab]

Your supercharged 4.0 will out perform a stock 5.0 from an Explorer.

Your other problem is going to be that you re in CA, you'll never pass emissions with that old of a motor in a 2011

 

[AdamPosey]

I see. That is unfortunate. I figured that may be the case. Wishful thinking.

So there's absolutely no way to make my ranger a V8 and be road-legal? The loss of power moving from a SC V6 to a NA V8 seemed fine to be me just because V8s sound so good.

 

[Roert42]

You should be fine in you swap in a Vfrom MY2011 or newer.
Plenty of people have done it, just not a direct swap like the explorer swap. Lots of custom fabrication and wiring usually.

Since your truck is probably in good shape with those low miles it would be a good candidate for it.

You have something else to drive in the 3 or 4 years it could take you to do it? (Assuming you’re working in your driveway on the weekends. )

 

[AdamPosey]

Never mind, everyone. Thank you all for all the helpful advice.
It seems that the best thing to do for my truck is to give up on putting a V8 in it and continue down the SC route for the V6.

Since my truck's basically a city commuter, maybe I can change gears and spend some time looking into lowering my truck and focusing on road performance. My truck's got a torsion bar, so I'm going to have to look into ways to convert it.

I know this isn't the right thread for that, so I'll end this here and read around. Thank you.

 

[JoshT]

That these guys have said. Don't got much to add to it. Honestly I'm a little surprised that you've got the Modbox road legal there. I think that the best thing you can do would be to improve the sound of what you have, but it won't be easy since you have to follow carb requirements. While it wouldn't sound exactly like a V8 a good dual check system would probably make an improvement. Even if you could legal the 5.0 in Cali I doubt it would have the sound you seek with the exhaust related emissions rules.

Anyhow I was more chiming in about the suspension. Can definitely be lowered some. Can drop a couple inches retaining the torsion bars on the pre 2008 trucks, not sure how much on post 2008 but still some. You'll hit limitations with the upper control arms first, a few of us are seeking remedies for that. Yours being 2wd you've got more options like relocating the upper mounts on the frame. Coilover adapters are available which can make an improvement over the bars. Rear lowering is just the same as any 2wd truck, except that you have a small lift block in there. When you are ready to start a thread, there are a few of us that can chime in and help or point you to the right places

 

[Thedrill]

Never mind, everyone. Thank you all for all the helpful advice.
It seems that the best thing to do for my truck is to give up on putting a V8 in it and continue down the SC route for the V6.

Since my truck's basically a city commuter, maybe I can change gears and spend some time looking into lowering my truck and focusing on road performance. My truck's got a torsion bar, so I'm going to have to look into ways to convert it.

I know this isn't the right thread for that, so I'll end this here and read around. Thank you.

Hi Adam, you are welcome to have a drive of my recently converted 5.0 Ranger.
I am about 30 miles away from you if you would like to test it out.

 

[bobbywalter]

toyota nissan gm mopar and ford have awesome 2011 and newer v8s that would sound ridiculously awesome.

just need to referee shop.