Anyone Swapped A 3.7 Into A 3rd Gen Ranger?

[Thanks47]

I'm thinking the 3.7 would be a good 100hp performance boost in a 3rd gen ranger along with the possibility of better fuel economy. Anyone tried or researched it?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

@bobbywalter

 

[Jim Oaks]

I know it's been done in a first-gen.

 

[SenorNoob]

At first I thought that fit better than I would've thought. Then I noticed the complete lack of a heater box. Wonder if they just avoid rain or have some other method to keep the window clear?

 

[Jim Oaks]

What would you rather have, heat or horsepower?

 

[Jim Oaks]

It can be done, but you need the whole donor vehicles to get the engine, trans, ECU, BCM, harness and steering wheel from.

 

[pjtoledo]

and steering wheel?

damn, that's a deal breaker for sure

 

[Jim Oaks]

You need the ignition key because of the PATS. Probably easier to just replace the whole column. Chances are it's electric steering, so there's that...

And then the electronic gas peddle from the donor.....

 

[Jim Oaks]

​

According to Ford, the 3.7L dimensions (H x L x W) are: 29.45" x 23.98" x 27.60"

For some reason I can't find the dimensions of the 4.0 V6's, but according to a Motor Trend article about the new 3.L in a 2011 Ford Mustang, "This new engine is 41 pounds lighter, 20mm less tall, 30mm narrower, and 55mm shorter-far smaller and far more powerful than any base engine ever offered in a Mustang."

Based on that, they're suggesting that the 2010 base 4.0 SOHC was 28.67" x 26.42" x 21.82"

If you mounted this in a Ranger with the 6R80 transmission, you're getting a 268-305 horsepower engine that's going to get roughly 19 MPG City / 29 MPG Highway and probably be 40 lbs. lighter than the engine than the 4.0L.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

At first I thought that fit better than I would've thought. Then I noticed the complete lack of a heater box. Wonder if they just avoid rain or have some other method to keep the window clear?

Go look at the truck again... it is either a race truck or a show truck.

I don't know if it is a lack of room so much as reducing weight/cleaning up the engine bay.

 

[Jim Oaks]

It's actually here:

Thread '87 Ranger GT (DD autocross Truck)'

Dec 22, 2022

This is a complete Ground up build, currently working on electric power steering. 3.7 cyclone powered.

• JimO
• Replies: 27
• Forum: 1983-2011 Ford Ranger Mini Truckin

• 

Also check out:

Thread 'Drag Truck - The Danger Ranger'

Jun 19, 2016

Hey guys! New to TRS but not Rangers. Been DDing a 97 2.3 for 3 years now and love it. I started as a Mustang guy and had an 06 GT with a blower that I DD'd and raced but life took me places that I couldn't enjoy it anymore so I got rid of it.

After being project car-less for almost 2 years to the day, I finally got to a point where I have the time to tackle something new. I picked up an 86 Ranger XLT Long Bed with the 2.9 V6 and a 5 Speed this morning for $300. He was running straight water in it and forgot to change it out before the first freeze and claims that 2 of the freeze plugs...

• ksack
• Replies: 182
• Forum: 1983-2011 Ford Ranger Mini Truckin

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[Thanks47]

It can be done, but you need the whole donor vehicles to get the engine, trans, ECU, BCM, harness and steering wheel from.

Thank you sir, that's what I was thinking. Get a donor that has long enough wiring and then swap it all. I'd like to have the 10 speed with it though if possible and maybe a turbo. 600hp is supposed to be easy but I don't need that much. I'd probably just leave it NA. 4.10 gears and a trac-lok make my current ranger more fun but it's spinning the driveshaft pretty fast on the highway.

 

[Jim Oaks]

My car is 300 hp and it's a lot of fun to drive because you can use all of the horsepower. 600 hp sounds impressive but you have to be more careful driving it. Too much gas too quick and it will be all over the road.

If you do it be sure to share the build here so others can see how it's done and the outcome.