Droppin my 95...tryin to do my homework.

[Redneckryder]

I have a 1995 2wd ex cab. As of now, it has a 4cyl and 5 speed. I am buying a mustang with a crate 5.0 and a t5. Guess where that's going? Yup, right in that engine bay. At the same time, I want to drop it and put some new rims, either 17 or 18 inch on it. I have done enough research to know that DJM is the only way to go, but I have hit a wall. Do I run the dream beams with stock height springs? I don't want to put it on the floor, just take some air out from under it. Also, will the dream beams be ok with the weight of a V8 on them? Along those lines, what springs do I use for it now that there are 4 more cylinders pushing down on them? I know there are others that have dropped a ranger with a 5.0, I just need to pick their brains, or at least find a build thread. When I drop it, what shocks do I use? I am going crazy here....more questions than answers.

 

[Hagan]

Taken directly from the tech article (83-97 Ranger v8 swap)

"The 302 is only about one hundred pounds heavier than the four cylinder engines installed in Rangers from the factory"

I know nothing about lowering a Ranger

 

[stmitch]

DJM beams can handle the weight no problem. Stock springs will be fine too. It may drop an inch or so more with the v8 than the 2.3, but other than the ride height being a bit lower it shouldn't cause any problems.

Teddyzee has one of the nicest i-beam v8 trucks around. It might be a bit lower than you want, but if you're looking for info about putting a v8 into a lowered i-beam truck, I'd start with his posts/build thread.

As for shocks, I'd suggest a nice set of drop shocks from Doetsch Tech, but there are several other options too from companies like BellTech, DJM/CalMax, etc. Some guys use Nissan Hardbody rear shocks instead of drop shocks too.