1990 4.0 to EFI 302 question

[RangerReviver1990]

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]

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]

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]

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]

yeah. i just cant bring myself to eviction point with a good running 4.0 and manual

 

[RangerReviver1990]

[/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.