I never said Ford couldn’t put a V-8 in a Ranger
I said I doubted they couldn’t sell enough to make a profit. And Ford only stays in business making a profit (GMC and others, of course, get gov't bail outs).
To put a V-8 in a Ranger, you would be adding just over 200lbs (160 front/40 rear) to the truck, adding 65hp/120ftlb of power/torque.
Over a dozen teams would need to get involved if you were doing it internal to Ford
Vehicle dynamics:
- Perform analyses and determine what needs upgrading
Frame group:
- Review if material thickness increase required by torsional/bending analysis
- Modification to the engine mounting location for V-8 mounts
- Modification for remote oil filter
Suspension group-rear:
- Upgraded axle to handle additional torque (I’m not sure if the 31 spline axles/large bearing of the Explorer axle were available in Chassis Cab, though they just had “Ranger” 8.8s)
- Revised spring rates for higher weight
- Revised shock damping rates (do you need “quad shocks” ala Mustang to control axle wrap)
- Revised spring rate on anti-sway bar (e.g. 1” bar from Bronco II)
- Revised spring bushings
- Revised anti-sway bar bushings
- Revised axle ratios (if changed axle)
- Revised tire rating selection for higher RAWR/GVWR/GCWR
Brake group-rear:
- Revised ABS calibration
- Revised brake size
Fuel System group:
- Revised fuel feed line-diameter
- Revised fuel return line-diameter
- Revised fuel pump suction and pressure values for addition flow of V8
- Recertification of emissions due to pump change (FMVSS/EPA regulations)
Suspension group-Front:
- Revised spring rates for extra weight of V-8
- Revised shock damping rates
- Upgraded axle- if needed by vehicle dynamic analysis (both TIB and TTB need analysis)
- Revised spring rate on anti-sway bar
- Revised spring bushings
- Revised anti-sway bar bushings
- Revised axle ratios for 4wd (if changed rear axle ratio)
- Revised tire rating selection for higher FAWR/GVWR
- new knuckles due to brake size change and increased tire wear
Brake group-front:
- Revised ABS calibration
- Revised brake size due to increased front axle weight
- Revised caliper hose length for revised caliper
Exhaust system group:
- New exhaust manifold to fit with Ranger engine compartment
- Revised intermediate pipes (true dual exhaust?)
- Revised catalytic convertor and
- Recertify MVSS requirements
Driveline group:
- Strengthen prop shaft as needed and check critical speed and NVH characteristics
- Add 90° adapter to fit remote oil filter
- Add remote oil filter
- New radiator with inlet/outlet/capacity for V-8
- New air filter for V-8
Electrical group:
- Update engine harness to accommodate engine change
- Update body harness to accommodate engine change
- Revise ventilation air duct to include “cutout” for the V-8 valve cover
- Revise A/C hoses for V-8 compressor/Ranger air box
- Unique body moldings
- Unique wheels
- Update owner’s manual to include V-8 information
- Update Ranger brochures to include V-8 information
- Recertify frontal crash compliance
- Recertification of rear crash compliance due to pump change- (FMVSS/EPA regulations)
- Recertify fuel system integrity compliance
- Recertify emissions compliance
- Recertify misc certifications for Canada
The cost of the above runs into $100M range. Every optional configuration - Manual, 4WD, SCab, Long bed increases cost - bean counters are going to want to see sales to justify the development cost.
Is Ford going to match Syclone sales with 5k V-8 Rangers? Which would mean an additional $20k/Ranger for your 5.0/auto.
A Ranger in ’90 cost between $8k (RCSB, 2WD, I-4/manual) and $15k (SCSB, 4WD, V-6/auto)
S-10 was a little cheaper than Ranger, so Syclone cost at $32k pretty much matches.
How many of you would have actually bought a $30k V-8 Ranger in ’90?
I actually might have – dual income, no kids, no mortgage at the time (Couldn’t buy a Syclone – they weren’t imported to Canada, wound up with an S-15 Jimmy Tahoe which was as close to Typhoon as I could buy). By ’91, though the ship has sailed – mortgage, single income, kid.
I would like to thank Bob Sheaves for his write up at Allpar for much of above.
Doesn't GT40 count as Fast Ford? And some cars like SHO Taurus might not be "sports" cars but they should qualify.
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but only about 6 of the lowered 2wd/awd street trucks to compete with the Cyclone/Typhoon. Toyota crammed a 4.0 V6 into a street Tacoma but they are pretty rare.
