1988 Ford Ranger XLT super cab engine, trans, and transfer case swap - opinions on ford 300 inline 6, t18 and np208

[DIYer314]

 

[DIYer314]

Came out of 84 f150 146k miles used as a farm truck. Fluids good, oil coolant

Need help determining if it would be a good swap into my ranger. My ranger is 4x4 35 inch tires and swapping an 8.8 Ford explorer rear axle right now in.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

A 300 I6 has been swapped in at least once before, someone posted pics. But that's all I know about it. Everything I've read has said it's really hard to do, mainly because of how long the engine is. You will have to do some measuring and see if you think you can make it fit.
Please document the process if you decide to do this.
Good luck.

 

[Josh B]

You might have to jamm it all towards the back. I had two of em in a 73 Econoline E300 One Ton Van (Super Van it said on the back door) in the 70s and early 80s, actually had that till some scrapper stole it in early 2Ks, while I was away :/

I think it would be super cool to put a doghouse in there somewhere, that would give the extra room for it. You'd need bucket seats to do it that way. Made it easy to fix or tune sittin right there in the driver seat
Good luck with it man

 

[DIYer314]

Saw a thread mostly recommended the ford 302, 351w or a explorer 5.0

Which one is the easiest and will get me up and running quicker for less?

 

[bobbywalter]

With a solid axle swap it will fit fine. You can build a k member that is ideal.

With a ttb k member you will have to work a bit. If it runs good.... it will b great

 

[rubydist]

The Explorer 5.0 is by far the easiest swap option for a V8. The 351 can be made to fit, but it has issues with the heads and the heater box wanting to occupy the same space, and the left exhaust and the steering shaft wanting to occupy the same space, so it takes some creativity. I believe that the guys who have done the 351 have done body lifts to help with those issues.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

IIRC it mostly needs the radiator pushed as far forward as possible.

You got the 300 already, and it would fit well with the rest of the truck. Everyone does a 302, dare to be different

 

[bobbywalter]

With this engine...
It's not bad. Real easy as it is a carb engine. It's a running complete power train..

Just fit it up.... The efi engine has the huge induction....which is not horrible to modify....but very time consuming.