4bt Ranger

[Joeink]

hello I am trying to do a ranger 4bt rebuild. I have a 4bt and a nv4500 tranny out of a dodge 2500. I am thinking about putting my 1979 ford 150 front and rear axles. what is it going to take to make this happen. will the axles be a good match? will the factory radiator work on the engine?

 

[snoranger]

What year Ranger?

 

[Joeink]

I am still shopping for the ranger. I am thinking early 90s. Or what year would be the best? I am doing this as a budget build.

 

[bigtruck94]

I am still shopping for the ranger. I am thinking early 90s. Or what year would be the best? I am doing this as a budget build.

I'd go with the 93-94 rangers with a worn out 4.0l in it. I heard it's easier to do a engine, transmission, and axle swap on those years of rangers. I even considered having one in mine...

Go to youtube and type in 1993 ford ranger cummins. It sounds freakin awesome!

Not only are you gonna have to swap axles and transmission, but your gonna have to beef up your suspension and also add a body lift to give more room to put a big engine like that under your hood. That body lift is gonna give you room to do this. There are so many things you gotta do to make it run good and smooth. My uncle did it in a Suzuki samurai and it took a long time to get every thing up and going.

Best of luck to you sir

 

[Joeink]

I plan on doing a 3" body lift. It shouldn't take to long to make the truck run, the 4bt is a mechanical engine it only needs a wire to the started and fuel to the engine. Now getting the cluster to work might take some time. Does anyone know how much wider the 79 f150 axles are to the stock ranger axles?

 

[bigtruck94]

I plan on doing a 3" body lift. It shouldn't take to long to make the truck run, the 4bt is a mechanical engine it only needs a wire to the started and fuel to the engine. Now getting the cluster to work might take some time. Does anyone know how much wider the 79 f150 axles are to the stock ranger axles?

It doesn't take long to drop the engine into it with the transmission. Just make sure you get the body lift on first before you do anything. Wiring is gonna be a treat tho. make sure you wire the right wire because there has been cases that one wire connected to the wrong wire could burst your truck in flames.

Do a lot of research. When we did the Suzuki, we added a bigger radiator because it didn't match the new engine. The axles WILL be wider because they have obviously been from a bigger truck. They could fit if you do some modifying to the shackes mounted to the shocks to the axle. I am not sure, but I think you have to get a different transfer case and different driveshaft due to different axle.

Other than that, They are a pretty easy swap. Depending on how much knowledge you have doing this, you shouldn't have a problem. If you have any other questions, just ask us or ask someone who knows how to do this

P.S. Welcome to TRS!

 

[snoranger]

The 4.0L rad is more then enough for a 4bt.
You'll need at least a 2" body lift. More if you run a top mount turbo.

Wiring is a joke. If you have a VE pump, you only NEED power to the pump and KSB (same wire), the starter and alt.

The d35/8.8 would hold up to a stock 4bt.

If your doing an SAS, cut the engine crossmember out and build one to fit around the oil pan. If not,you'll have to cut and modify the pan.

 

[matticus420]

Oh how i wish i can do this to my ranger.... :,(
I don't have enough cash flow for that
but if i did my good friend of mine is a diesel mechanic
He told me if i ever did this he would service my truck anytime
for a 12 pck of beer lol

 

[bigtruck94]

Oh how i wish i can do this to my ranger.... :,(
I don't have enough cash flow for that
but if i did my good friend of mine is a diesel mechanic
He told me if i ever did this he would service my truck anytime
for a 12 pck of beer lol

fair trade lol

 

[Cummins_Ranger]

stick to coils/coil over set up out front...leaf set up leaves no room (for anything!) lol. That is where I hit my SAS snag. Soon to be resolved

 

[snoranger]

stick to coils/coil over set up out front...leaf set up leaves no room (for anything!) lol. That is where I hit my SAS snag. Soon to be resolved

What do you need Dave? I got 3 D44s, 4 sets of full size radius arms, and a few sets of coil springs.

 

[Joeink]

is there anything else I am really going to need to do to the ranger that will be a big ticket items? Is there a motor mount that will work or do I need to make my own? I am just trying to pick everyones brain. I am able to do all the work I used to work in a hotrod shop. but now I do private jets.

 

[Cummins_Ranger]

is there anything else I am really going to need to do to the ranger that will be a big ticket items? Is there a motor mount that will work or do I need to make my own? I am just trying to pick everyones brain. I am able to do all the work I used to work in a hotrod shop. but now I do private jets.

I would use the isolators that came with the engine,I tried using pancake style Mack trans mounts and I destroyed 2 sets from the torque twisting the engine. Just watch the clearance of everything, even with a 2" BL I still had to bash in my trans tunnel to fit the M5...seeing as your going bigger you may need to figure out a way around it. (pan was about 0.25" from the stock tab cross member)

What do you need Dave? I got 3 D44s, 4 sets of full size radius arms, and a few sets of coil springs.

truck is going on a little vacation, update ya soon

 

[Joeink]

on the front coil springs would I be able to use the 79 f150 coil springs or would I have to do some mods on the upper arm on the ranger? if I use the front axles will I be able to hook up to the steering box easily or do I need to do mods there too?

 

[matticus420]

fair trade lol

Oh yea