1997 Ranger 4.0 4x4 Conversion to V8 302 need advice

[moodyd121]

i got a 1997 ranger ext cab 4x4 stx with a 4.0 looking to put a 302 in it.
i found a 302 from a boat. i think i need to get the water pump off of a explorer or a mountainneer 5.0 and motor mounts off the explorer also gonna grab the tranny and transfer case off of the mountaineer just wonder if the wiring harness will work off of the mountaineer.
My reasoning for using the boat motor is becuz it has low hours a big cam better heads and a steel crank.
I put a 3 inch body lift in the truck to make some more room for the motor.
I was also wondering whats the diffrence between a 97 and a 98 ranger because all i can find is info on the 98. but if anybody has any good advice to help me out that would be great. thanks

 

[V8RangerBoy]

i got a 1997 ranger ext cab 4x4 stx with a 4.0 looking to put a 302 in it.
i found a 302 from a boat. i think i need to get the water pump off of a explorer or a mountainneer 5.0 and motor mounts off the explorer also gonna grab the tranny and transfer case off of the mountaineer just wonder if the wiring harness will work off of the mountaineer.
My reasoning for using the boat motor is becuz it has low hours a big cam better heads and a steel crank.
I put a 3 inch body lift in the truck to make some more room for the motor.
I was also wondering whats the diffrence between a 97 and a 98 ranger because all i can find is info on the 98. but if anybody has any good advice to help me out that would be great. thanks

Well the biggest difference is that the '97 is the TTB front end, whereas the '98 is the torsion bar IFS. A '98 will take the 302 from an Explorer with hardly any work. A '97 is a little different story.

Better heads? GT40's outflow the old E7's by alot.