Conversion

[Selfbuilt99]

I've got a 93 ranger 2wd extended cab with the 4.0... automatic. Looking to do a conversion because I want more power, I was thinking maybe I could get a bronco and swap with the 5.8 351W? Correct me if I'm wrong and can't make that work... I'm planning on doing glass, so a lot of that metal won't be there... can I stuff the engine in and build a cage for it while keeping a/c, I read somewhere that might be an issue? Maybe I could make it work... just no engine cage? Could i convert even further and use the twin traction beams? (That's just a bonus) Was hoping to go with the 351 to get around 300 hp.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

IIRC the biggest issue with a 351 is header clerance.

But yes a 351W is more then doable.

The fullsize TTB can and has been done to. But youll pry have to swap the rear axle as well. Unless you narrow the TTB.

 

[Selfbuilt99]

IIRC the biggest issue with a 351 is header clerance.

But yes a 351W is more then doable.

The fullsize TTB can and has been done to. But youll pry have to swap the rear axle as well. Unless you narrow the TTB.

Sweet! So if I pick up a complete donar Bronco I should be able to swap the entire under carriage and turn my 2wd into a 4wd... are the beams the same length? Hopefully longer... would like to be about 5-6" wider. Yeah, already seen it coming about the rear axle, is it any wider than stock on the ranger? Maybe suggestions on another axle. Another thing I was thinking about, was the tranny... would the tranny fit as well? Or I heard a 4 cyl one fits. Sorry for all the questions, just trying to plan out the entire build before I start so everything works and I'm not out hella money, kinda a budget build, but want to make sure it's done right.

 

[Selfbuilt99]

Also... was thinking 3" body lift would fix that... "clearance problem"

 

[adsm08]

The body lift is going to help a lot.

The 5.0 makes a non-AC airbox tight, and an AC one very hard to do. The 351 is taller and comes out to the side farther. The body lift may be what makes or breaks your keeping of the AC.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Sweet! So if I pick up a complete donar Bronco I should be able to swap the entire under carriage and turn my 2wd into a 4wd... are the beams the same length? Hopefully longer... would like to be about 5-6" wider. Yeah, already seen it coming about the rear axle, is it any wider than stock on the ranger? Maybe suggestions on another axle. Another thing I was thinking about, was the tranny... would the tranny fit as well? Or I heard a 4 cyl one fits. Sorry for all the questions, just trying to plan out the entire build before I start so everything works and I'm not out hella money, kinda a budget build, but want to make sure it's done right.

1- The fullsize beams are wider. Theyll have to be narrowed. Or ran full width(which is considerably wider then an ranger). Im not sure what is involved in doing this.

2- The bronco rear axle is as wide as the brocos front axle. Both are wider then your rangers.

3- You will need the transmission from the bronco, or another vehicle with either a 300 inline 6, a 302, or a 351 windsor. A 351 modified trans will bolt up. Either will any stock ranger transmissions.

4- A body lift pry wont help much. The exhaust hits the steering box IIRC.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Body lift will make a huge difference. Steering will still be tight but moving the body up is a godsend everywhere else. Trans tunnel, a/c box, hood clearance (which will be an issue with the stock efi intake) exhaust, even dropping the fuel tank... it is freaking awesome.

@4x4junkie did the TTB D44 swap on his first truck... going 2wd to 4wd may complicate things too.

 

[Selfbuilt99]

1- The fullsize beams are wider. Theyll have to be narrowed. Or ran full width(which is considerably wider then an ranger). Im not sure what is involved in doing this.

2- The bronco rear axle is as wide as the brocos front axle. Both are wider then your rangers.

3- You will need the transmission from the bronco, or another vehicle with either a 300 inline 6, a 302, or a 351 windsor. A 351 modified trans will bolt up. Either will any stock ranger transmissions.

4- A body lift pry wont help much. The exhaust hits the steering box IIRC.

Ok so I'm looking at a 86 bronco, thinking I could use that for my donar, complete truck only thing wrong is tranny problems and body is a sore sight, but I'm not worried about body. Is it possible to mount up the beams in the stock ranger location? If it's too much wider, I will shorten it, but that will be a time for later on. Besides I was hoping to extend each side from stock about 5-6". Sounds like the body lift will save a headache so definitely gonna do that.

 

[adsm08]

I missed the part were the Ranger is a 2wd.

To make a 2wd Ranger a 4x4 you need to either put a solid axle under it, or replace the engine cross member with one from a 4x4.

 

[Ranger850]

Sounds like it would be easier to put the Ranger cab and bed onto the Bronco Frame.

 

[Selfbuilt99]

Sweet guys, thanks... think I'll just keep it 2wd for sakes of headache purposes, maybe convert it later. Will the 351 bolt up to the a4ld tranny? Or do they make a conversation plate?

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Sweet guys, thanks... think I'll just keep it 2wd for sakes of headache purposes, maybe convert it later. Will the 351 bolt up to the a4ld tranny? Or do they make a conversation plate?

No it will not.

The A4LD would last about 30 seconds behind a 351W anyways.