Ford ranger 5.0l swap driveshaft issue

[HLC6300]

I have a 2003 2.3l xl ford ranger. I put a 1997 ford explorer 302 5.0l v8 engine with a 2wd 4r70w transmission in it. I am trying to put the stock rangers drive shaft in and it wont fit.
What do I do?

 

[Roert42]

Why doesn’t it fit?

If the two ends match but it’s too long you can have it shortened.

Otherwise you can have a new driveshaft made.

 

[HLC6300]

Why doesn’t it fit?

If the two ends match but it’s too long you can have it shortened.

Otherwise you can have a new driveshaft made.

Its to long

 

[Roert42]

Its to long

You should be able to find a machine shop locally that shorten and rebalance it for $100 or so.

I have two places within 20 minutes of me.

Most large truck shops will either be able to do it themselves or have somebody that does it for them.

Any auto shop that does modifications or hot rod stuff should also know a place.

Engine builder or a real transmission shop (not a chain like AMCO) might be able to give you a reference too.


I don’t know what the hot rod scene is like is Vegas, do you have a drag strip? Could go there on a test and tube day, and ask around.

Could also go to the SEMA show in a few weeks.

 

[HLC6300]

Ok. Yes, we do have a drag strip. Thanks for all of the information.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Yeah, I’ve done two of these sort of swaps now. The first one the rear driveshaft fit fine. The second I had to cut an inch and a half out of the driveshaft. I did the cut and weld myself then took it to a spring and heavy truck shop that balanced it for me. They could also do the cut and weld but I was trying to save a few bucks

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Yeah, I’ve done two of these sort of swaps now. The first one the rear driveshaft fit fine. The second I had to cut an inch and a half out of the driveshaft. I did the cut and weld myself then took it to a spring and heavy truck shop that balanced it for me. They could also do the cut and weld but I was trying to save a few bucks

You have to be careful doing the cut and weld yourself so you keep the yokes on each end of the driveshaft in phase.

If you are not familiar with this sort of project it is probably best left to a professional.

 

[HLC6300]

Yeah, I’ve done two of these sort of swaps now. The first one the rear driveshaft fit fine. The second I had to cut an inch and a half out of the driveshaft. I did the cut and weld myself then took it to a spring and heavy truck shop that balanced it for me. They could also do the cut and weld but I was trying to save a few bucks

Was there a difference in the trucks or the transmissions you used in both your swaps.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

You have to be careful doing the cut and weld yourself so you keep the yokes on each end of the driveshaft in phase.

If you are not familiar with this sort of project it is probably best left to a professional.

Oh I had scribed lines and measurements and all the stuff short of a lathe. I wouldn’t recommend what I did for everyone because of the level of precision needed. I managed to get it pretty close because the driveshaft shop just had to do a little heat and tweak and a new balance weight.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Was there a difference in the trucks or the transmissions you used in both your swaps.

Theoretically everything was the same or close enough. Dad’s was a 2000 Ranger supercab 4.0 auto 4x4 and a 99/00 Mountaineer for the donor. Mine was the exact same configuration Ranger with a 98 Explorer donor converted to an 00 (fuel system, cam synchro, wiring, computer). The big difference was dad’s remained at stock height (and we were looking at doing an inch or two of lift) and I lowered mine roughly 4”