- Joined
- Aug 6, 2007
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- Location
- Macon/Fort Valley, GA
- Vehicle Year
- 1999
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Engine Type
- V8
- Transmission
- Automatic
- 2WD / 4WD
- 4WD
The 85 Ranger I just picked up for a cab swap on my V8 project, may just become the recepient of the V8 swap instead. Was going to build an 86 SWB street truck, but for reasons I needed/wanted to replace the cab. Bought this 85 Long Bed today with the intent of dropping the cab over the 86 frame and the 98 Explorer 5.0L currently sitting on it. The more I think about this "donor" truck, the more I lean towards it being a "recepient" and building it instead. Largely because my first vehcile was the 1984 Long bed in my sig, and how similar to that truck this 85 is. Same original interior and exterior color, silver on blue. Same configuration, regular cab, long bed, bench seat. Though 20 years apart, they were within 5 miles of the same location when I became the owner. The 84 was at my aunt's house in Americus GA when my grand mother gave it to me, this one was less than 5 miles away straight line distance.
Anyhow, the question is about fuel system. This 85 Ranger is a 2.3L dual tank truck. That means it's EFI and already has electric fuel pumps which is an advantage. Unfortunately, I doubt that the stock 2.3L fuel system is up to the task of feeding the 5.0L.
Anyone done this with a dual tank Ranger before? How did you handle it?
Looking at parts listing on Rock Auto it appears that the in tank pumps are probably lift pumps, and there is probably a secondary high pressure pump in line between the switching valve and the engine. I guess I could keep the lift pumps in tank, replace the in line pump with a high performance aftermarket pump? Like maybe a Walbro 255lph inline pump.
85 high pressure pump: 40gph/95psi
98 Explorer pump: 50gph/120psi
Walbro GSL394BX (aka 190lph): 50gph/87psi
Walbro GSL392BX (aka 255lph): 67gph/87psi <- common in-tank pump rating for 5.0L Mustang crowd
Something else?
If I did upgrade woutl the fuel lines and rest of the sustem support the 5.0L? I'm intentionally ignoring age related issues here.
Other option that I see is to upgrade the individual in tank pumps to something like the Walbro 255lph, which would be relitavely easy since it already has in tank pumps. The challenge then becomes how to plumb the rest of the system to match since I understand from AllanD's old posts that the switching valve is the weak link in the system. I'd have to come up with something custom with hoses and check valves to repalce all of that. I can see this being an interesting idea leading to a dual fuel setup, IE: regular and race gas with. That's pipe dreams for down the road with aftermarket EFI and a flex fuel sensor. Still, something like this seems like my other option for keeping dual tanks, and I'll probably eventually end up here regardless. Just not sure exactly how to go about it, and would prefer to keep a stock style fuel system for now if possible/practical.
Anyhow, the question is about fuel system. This 85 Ranger is a 2.3L dual tank truck. That means it's EFI and already has electric fuel pumps which is an advantage. Unfortunately, I doubt that the stock 2.3L fuel system is up to the task of feeding the 5.0L.
Anyone done this with a dual tank Ranger before? How did you handle it?
Looking at parts listing on Rock Auto it appears that the in tank pumps are probably lift pumps, and there is probably a secondary high pressure pump in line between the switching valve and the engine. I guess I could keep the lift pumps in tank, replace the in line pump with a high performance aftermarket pump? Like maybe a Walbro 255lph inline pump.
85 high pressure pump: 40gph/95psi
98 Explorer pump: 50gph/120psi
Walbro GSL394BX (aka 190lph): 50gph/87psi
Walbro GSL392BX (aka 255lph): 67gph/87psi <- common in-tank pump rating for 5.0L Mustang crowd
Something else?
If I did upgrade woutl the fuel lines and rest of the sustem support the 5.0L? I'm intentionally ignoring age related issues here.
Other option that I see is to upgrade the individual in tank pumps to something like the Walbro 255lph, which would be relitavely easy since it already has in tank pumps. The challenge then becomes how to plumb the rest of the system to match since I understand from AllanD's old posts that the switching valve is the weak link in the system. I'd have to come up with something custom with hoses and check valves to repalce all of that. I can see this being an interesting idea leading to a dual fuel setup, IE: regular and race gas with. That's pipe dreams for down the road with aftermarket EFI and a flex fuel sensor. Still, something like this seems like my other option for keeping dual tanks, and I'll probably eventually end up here regardless. Just not sure exactly how to go about it, and would prefer to keep a stock style fuel system for now if possible/practical.