5.8L swap

[Defective]

The Ranger is 4x4, in fact all trucks mentioned so far in this thread are are 4x4. The 96 f150 is an automatic, the others are manual.

Here:

1996 Ranger = 4.0Lv6, M50D-R1, BW1354 and manual hubs.
1996 F150 = 5.8Lv8, E4OD, unknown manual t-case, manual hubs.
1981 F150 = 4.9Li6, unknown manual tranny, unknown manual t-case, manual hubs.


And for the front axle, current plans are to swap the 44 outers from the 96 f150 onto the 35 beams on the ranger with an adapter on the rear. That's what started this whole thing. The ranger keeps going through bearings and I wanted to upgrade. I've always wanted bigger brakes, and my hubs have been needing replaced, so when I heard about this swap I got very motivated. This is turning into more project then originally planned, which is fine with me. I was just trying to break down my questions into the appropriate forums for information before starting any kind of actual build thread.

Thanks for the help guys!

 

[RangerSVT]

Are you just wanting a V8 swap, and are thinking since you have the 5.8L, this is what you want to use, or are you stuck on the 5.8L swap?? If you are wanting a V8 swap, and don't mind if its a 5.0L or 5.8L, your best bet is to find a 96-97 V8 explorer and grab it. For a complete breakdown of exactly what you will need to do, look at my build thread, first post. I did the same thing, and have the same year truck you do. In the couple of weeks to come, I am doing an EFI 5.8L conversion on an 87 bronco 2 (build thread WCB2 in the under construction, owner jay'94) and am just about to start the removal of the engine from a 90 F350 donor (Project FordZilla-TBA project startup), it has a ZF-5spd trans and a 1356 manual case, all are going into WCB2. Motor and trans are being pulled this week and next week...
You will have a 1345 tcase, the trans depends on if you have overdrive of not...
SVT

 

[RangerSVT]

You will have a 1345 tcase in the 81, the 96 will have a 1356,
SVT

 

[projectnitemare]

Or you could use a manual trans equipped computer and run an older automatic such as an aod. Your 81 is going to have 1 of 3 options, T18, T19 or NP 435...overdrive wasn't an option back then. The NP435 will have an aluminum shift tower/top cover. The other 2 are very much the same other than the T19 has a sycronized 1st gear. There are a few options you need to find the one that fits your needs and budget. With a bodylift and some bending of some sheet metal there is no reason you cant use the E4OD you currently have. Just find a smaller fullsize t-case to aid in installation.

Matt

Matt