91 Ranger bodied 5.3 ls swap

[Gregin30655]

Yea man it’s getting closer. I appreciate the feedback. I’ll check your build out !!

I just saw this build. I am building an 88 ranger GT and I am digging this. I dont have a shop at home which sucks, and with 7 cars/trucks in the driveway I dont have much room. (Yeah my fancy HOA loves me). Thanks for so many pics, you answered questions with them alone and will help me tremendously. I am bagging on beams as well, and bagging a mono leaf rear. I dont need body drop because the GTs have ground effects I want to keep, but lay down on them. I am running 18/20" so I am anxious to get it down and see what I have to cut in the fenders. (Its in my buddys fab shop now getting started on all the cutting and welding). Keep posting, theres a silent majority here that appreciates all we can learn and you have really helped me a ton.
GC

 

[airbourneranger]

Someone who swapped the right motor in for once! ? looking forward to seeing progress.

Just what we need another Fordolet. I'm going to buy a 63 splitwindow Corvette and put a Ford flathead in it. Just sayin. I get so tired of going to shows or cruise ins and seeing a really nice Ford and then looking under the hood and seeing a Chevy engine.

 

[Blmpkn]

Just what we need another Fordolet. I'm going to buy a 63 splitwindow Corvette and put a Ford flathead in it. Just sayin. I get so tired of going to shows or cruise ins and seeing a really nice Ford and then looking under the hood and seeing a Chevy engine.

Yeah after thinking about it... i really don't see the appeal of a motor that can be bought for around 200 bucks and who's bottom end will support 5x its factory horsepower


I'm all for flathead swapping an old 'vette. The sound a flathead makes IS super enjoyable, especially if its been juiced up a touch.

 

[Jim Oaks]

I think people should build what makes them happy, not what makes others happy.

 

[ericbphoto]

I think people should build what makes them happy, not what makes others happy.

If you're happy, I'm happy.

 

[bodied91ranger]

tonight we had some great progress. got the steering totally functional. pics to follow just spent 6 hours in the shop after work to get it done.. bedtime!!!

 

[bodied91ranger]

so the Belair dash we cut the space below the column out when we originally worked it into the ranger. so this open space needed to have something in there that would hold the column so this is what I came up with. there will be a top clamp that bolts down from the top to hold the column in place. pulling the cab back off next week to finish weld it then the blocking and painting comes next. figured I would share this before bed. doesn't look like much now but will look like it belongs on the dash when its done. good night everyone

 

[bodied91ranger]

Working on mounting the radiator and the Volvo power steering unit tonight. Notched the top of the core support to push it forward. Looking for ideas from you guys on mounting it?

 

[Uncle Gump]

That's always the million dollar question. That one seems to offer a pretty decent challenge for secure mounting.

There is a bunch of mounting do dads and thing-a-ma-jigs available to make this happen. I'm sure a google search will let you start to visualize a final solution.

Maybe a lower crossmember with a couple rubber mounts across the bottom to do the lions share of the work. Then a couple custom brackets on the top with saddle rubbers to keep it in place.

JEGS 52077: Universal Urethane Radiator Mounting Pads | JEGS

Aluminum Radiator Mounting Bracket With Pads Kit (speedwaymotors.com)

 

[airbourneranger]

Yeah after thinking about it... i really don't see the appeal of a motor that can be bought for around 200 bucks and who's bottom end will support 5x its factory horsepower


I'm all for flathead swapping an old 'vette. The sound a flathead makes IS super enjoyable, especially if its been juiced up a touch.

Yea, I know cheap hp. If thats all there is to it why drive a Ford? Chevy guys bash Fords all the time. Fix Or Repair Daily all the others. Why do they love Ford vehicles with Chevy power??? The only thing good in a Chevy is the engine?? I'm not trying to get a battle going, just Chevy powered Fords is gettin old. But so am I and grumpy!!

 

[bodied91ranger]

Yea, I know cheap hp. If thats all there is to it why drive a Ford? Chevy guys bash Fords all the time. Fix Or Repair Daily all the others. Why do they love Ford vehicles with Chevy power??? The only thing good in a Chevy is the engine?? I'm not trying to get a battle going, just Chevy powered Fords is gettin old. But so am I and grumpy!!

What about people swapping Cummins into fords? Is that getting old too? Who cares what motors in the damn thing lol. At the end of the day it’s a Ford. Main reason I ls swapped is because of the lower intake manifold options I had abs with a body drop I needed it to be low as possible. Good day Grumpy !!!

 

[Blmpkn]

Yea, I know cheap hp. If thats all there is to it why drive a Ford? Chevy guys bash Fords all the time. Fix Or Repair Daily all the others. Why do they love Ford vehicles with Chevy power??? The only thing good in a Chevy is the engine?? I'm not trying to get a battle going, just Chevy powered Fords is gettin old. But so am I and grumpy!!

Nah I get you, especially the grumpy part lol. But I'd totally ls swap a fox.. better looking than a camaro!

 

[bodied91ranger]

got exhaust tips fabbed and installed today. drivers side matches the passenger. plan on running 3" used four inch pipe on inside of tip so the three inch sits just inside to prevent any rattle. feeling good about them

 

[Jim Oaks]

Can't wait to see this done.

 

[dvdswan]

Now that is cool.