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1990 4.0 to EFI 302 question


RangerReviver1990

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Location
North Carolina
Vehicle Year
1990
Make / Model
Ranger XLT
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
245ci
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
2’ Leveling Kit
Tire Size
265/75
So, my dad and I have been talking about the idea of swapping my worn out, bone stock 4.0 with a 302 out of a F-150 or Bronco. I know I'd have to get rid of the A4LD transmission and get another automatic that's compatible with the 302, but like the wiring harness and stuff, would certain parts of my wiring be compatible with my Ranger's harness? like for the instrument cluster, would I get to keep my original cluster or have to put a F-150 cluster into? would i literally just have to take the entire wiring harness out of the doner and plug in it into my truck? Essentially having a full size pickup shoved into a compact truck?
 


SenorNoob

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Location
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Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
1.5" Front + 4" Rear
Tire Size
245-70-R16
90 was still pretty analog. I suspect you'd be looking at wiring each gauge and light up individually. (No CANBus here.) The speedometer should still be cable type.

Pulling the engine from an Explorer makes getting it under the hood of the Ranger easier. All of the accessory mounts are more compact. It probably has a shorter intake too, but IDK that. Best I remember 5.0 truck intakes were tall.

Have a look here.

Engines & Fuel Systems
 

bobbywalter

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Location
woodhaven mi
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1988
Make / Model
FORD mostly
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
BIGGER
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
sawzall?
Tire Size
33-44
My credo
it is easier to fix and understand than "her"
there are many options for a swap.

when considering a swap that does not involve same platform ranger powertrains, open your mind up to other platforms.

you will be replacing the entire powertrain so take some time to sniff around.

the windsor engines...especially the 5.0 are venerable and easily packaged to be sure.... without cash infusion they are very low in power.


but there are wildly powerful options out there now.

the 2.3 ecoboost is wicked.

the n/a version in the 2001 to 2011 2.3 rangers will take boost as well.


the cyclone v6 are very underrated. cheap and found across the board in mustang 150 and the front drive platforms. very receptive to boost. getting 400 whp out of them is not too difficult or overly costly.

the coyote platform is a monster under the bed. the gen 3 versions will whoop anythings ass.....just add boost.

these swaps are indeed more difficult then a typical windsor swap, but can be best power for dollar depending on goals and personal capability.




there are the typical gm options of the gen1 and gen 3 type small blocks. the gen 3 is fairly easy to do...arguably easier then the windsor. and your starting out with a minimum of a 100 hp advantage for the same work and cost.


maybe look at the gm atlas inline engines. arguably better then a 2jz...


i really like the gen 3 truck/ ls platform as it is very cost effective and has the lowest learning curve with the maximum aftermarket support. easiest engine to work on.

the modern hemi.....would be crazy...out of my budget. your ranger would have a sound of its own.



nissan and toyota have bad ass v8 and 6 cylinder options.

honda has wicked stuff too.
 

SenorNoob

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3,192
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Location
Middle Tennessee
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
1.5" Front + 4" Rear
Tire Size
245-70-R16
Honestly anything more modern has soo much more power it's silly. I've wondered about a couple of those myself, but I like my rock simple 4.0.
 

bobbywalter

TRS Technical Staff
TRS Event Staff
V8 Engine Swap
TRS Technical Advisor
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
Ugly Truck of Month
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TRS 25th Anniversary
Joined
Aug 9, 2007
Messages
24,683
Reaction score
6,048
Location
woodhaven mi
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
FORD mostly
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
BIGGER
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
sawzall?
Tire Size
33-44
My credo
it is easier to fix and understand than "her"
yeah. i just cant bring myself to eviction point with a good running 4.0 and manual
 

RangerReviver1990

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2023
Messages
74
Reaction score
40
Location
North Carolina
Vehicle Year
1990
Make / Model
Ranger XLT
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
245ci
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
2’ Leveling Kit
Tire Size
265/75
[/QUOTE]
yeah. i just cant bring myself to eviction point with a good running 4.0 and manual
Yeah, now that I think about it, I kinda like my 4.0 and fact that's it's still running. Brought it home about 5 years ago, after it sat behind some guys house for 3 years and then sat behind my house for another 2-3 years and then one day I started driving it and it 15k miles later it hasnt skipped a beat since.
 

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