can it be done?

[fordfan86]

i dont know if this is posted somewhere else or not so im posting it.

i have been seriously considering a v8 swap on my rig (98 4wd off road edition) but i want to keep the 4wd and dont want to spend an arm and a leg to find and buy or fab all the parts needed to do it. mainly because i could never afford them all and it we be a multi year process before i amassed all the items needed to do it. either way getting to my point, i was sitting at arbys the other morning and saw a v8 explorer and thought to my self "wouldnt it just be easier to swap out the bodies than the engines? i dont know what wheel base is for an explorer vs an extend cab ranger but i bet theyre pretty close right? and aside from maybe having to rearrange a body mount or two i dont see how it would be anymore difficult to pull off than the entire v8 4wd swap into a 98 and newer ranger. am i on to something or is it just a pipe dream?

 

[RangerSVT]

I don't mean to be cruel, but you been here long enough to know there is a v8 forum, a tech library, and stickies at the top of this section, as well as a search function. It's been done many times...

SVT

 

[fordfan86]

while that is true i havent seen anything in the tech library about "body swapping" and to be fair lets be honest some of the thread names and topics arent the most informative. i would be curious to see where else its posted.

 

[RangerSVT]

I'm referring to the v8 swap. The cab can be done, but its more work than just swapping the motor...

SVT

 

[shane96ranger]

Nevermind, you already knew SVT......

 

[Ozwynn]

V8 has been done many times on here ....

but a body swap has also been done.

do a search for cheapthrillsB2 ........ and read some of his threads.

 

[fordfan86]

thanks for the tip about CHeapthrillb2, i sent him a pm hopefully he can give me a little more help with it.

oh and RangerSVT, i have read all the tech library notes on the v8 swaps they're very helpful but they look like they can get pricey quick.

 

[dvsj67]

The way i am looking at this is that by the time you spend the money on a second vehicle to put your body onto, and jerry rig everything to line up in the ranger you have pretty much paid for an engine swap, not to mention any repairs the donor is going to need.

I am not discouraging you, I have a million ideas in my head i wish i could do.. But IMO the word budget shouldn't serve a purpose as being on the cheap when it comes to building a vehicle.. sometimes its worth the two or three years it may take to make it enjoyable!