• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

Hi from Georgia!!!


Lizzy

New Member
Joined
Mar 23, 2019
Messages
8
Reaction score
6
Points
3
Location
Georgia
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Frod Ranger
Transmission
Manual
Hi, my name is Elizabeth and I live in Georgia. I have had 3 Rangers since I started driving, many moons ago. I have always wanted to do a v8 swap, and as luck would have it I came across a 1988 Ranger no motor or trans. Figure as I have practically nothing in the truck so why not try this. I do not know much about working on car or trucks but I figure I can learn. I am also known for "go big or go home!" attitude when it come to learning or trying new things.
 


rusty ol ranger

Im a Jeep guy now.
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2007
Messages
12,261
Reaction score
7,270
Points
113
Location
Michigan
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Engine Size
177 CID
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
My credo
A legend to the old man, a hero to the child...
Welcome to TRS.

The 302 swap is pretty common and well documented. Im sure youll get the info ya need.
 

Lizzy

New Member
Joined
Mar 23, 2019
Messages
8
Reaction score
6
Points
3
Location
Georgia
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Frod Ranger
Transmission
Manual
Thank you!!! , I have been reading so much stuff, this place is amazing!
 

Bird76Mojo

Well-Known Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Jun 28, 2009
Messages
2,633
Reaction score
1,264
Points
113
Location
IL
Engine Type
V8
I had this posted on another Ranger Forum so I thought I'd share it here for you. You certainly don't have to use all brand new and expensive parts like these, but should you need to, I thought this might be of some value to you. The V8 swap can be done cheaply if a person is good at scouring junkyards and if you buy the right donor vehicle, etc. There are a lot of variables in doing such a thing..


Hedmann 88400 headers fit my 87 single cab shortbed really nice. Had them blasted and ceramic coated in Indy. - https://www.jegs.com/i/Hedman/500/88400/10002/-1

The Transdapt oil filter adapter is a piece of junk. I'd go with the L&L oil filter adapter myself. - https://www.landlproducts.com/detail...=0&ItemID=1020

The swap radiator I bought on Ebay. It has a 90 degree angled filler neck. Made by Superior Radiator. A very nice part and beautifully built, and it tucks up inside the core support to give you enough room for the factory mechanical fan. Can be used with an automatic trans or a manual trans - https://www.ebay.com/p/Ford-302-Rang...1953925&chn=ps

If you go to a T5 transmission, the speed sensor that let me keep my original Ranger mechanical drive speedo, but also supply the Mustang A9P computer the speed signal it needed, was Napa part #NOE-600-4273 or a Dorman #917-614 - It works with any classic Mustang speedo cable.

To get the original Ranger dashboard oil pressure guage to work with the V8 I used - BWD- S334 with a 45 degree adapter for clearance - https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...s334/5971586-P

To keep the original Ranger coolant temperature guage working with the V8 I used part - WT7245 - https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...245/18480667-P

My conversion u-joints to use a shortened Explorer Limited aluminum driveshaft hooked to my Ranger 8.8" 4.10 w/Torsen from an FX4 LVL II, were a 1310-1330 Conversion u-joint Moog-253 - https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mog-253

The rubber engine mounts I used were - Anchor #2329 - I had to grind one corner a TINY bit for block clearance - https://www.summitracing.com/parts/a...SABEgLTnPD_BwE

The engine mount plates I got were used but they came from the Tran Dapt Ranger swap kit. Should be these - https://www.summitracing.com/parts/t...d/model/ranger

Speedway Motors aluminum radiator expansion tank maintains a good vacuum in the system and lets it pull coolant back in when needed - 106-80158 AFCO brand - https://www.speedwaymotors.com/AFCO-...ank,39689.html

My locking header bolts have been great so far - ProForm 66756 - https://www.cjponyparts.com/proform-...SABEgIaF_D_BwE

I used a billet Tilton hydraulic slave cylinder with the factory Ranger clutch master cylinder but I advise against it. My Tilton has been problematic with the flat faced throwout bearing that Tilton uses. Junk Chinese bearings that they charge $50 each for.. It's a super nice piece if I can ever get the bearing to last, It came with nice braided hoses and the adapter to make it fit the factory Ranger clutch master cylinder that uses the roll-pin to secure the hose to the master's body. I did later add a Speed Bleeder to make things easier on myself - http://tiltonracing.com/product/6000...ease-bearings/

Ford Performance billet steel flywheel - https://www.summitracing.com/parts/FMS-M-6375-C302B

RAM HDX Clutch Kits 88794HD - https://www.summitracing.com/parts/RAM-88794HD

Ron Francis Telorvek wiring system with Ford Mustang A9P EEC - https://www.ronfrancis.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MG-70

Modern Driveline front shift, rear socket conversion T5Z transmission to maintain the original location of the floor shifter, along with their billet shifter, speedo cable, and all hardware. I had my own Mustang bell housing - $3386 http://transmission.moderndriveline....version-p6.htm

Core Shifters double bend chrome Hurst shift lever for the T5 - https://core-shifters.com/products/h...-86-jeep-cj-t5

Hurst shift lever ball - 3/8"-16 - https://www.ebay.com/i/281854910157?chn=ps

Offset double lip rear main crankshaft seal for the 5.0 - seals it up for good - EngineTech S4686 - https://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/en...haft+seal,5604

Flowmaster universal 2.5" mandrel bent stainless steel u-weld-it duel exhaust kit with H-pipe - https://www.summitracing.com/parts/flo-815936

Magnaflow dual in / dual out stainless 2.5" muffler - https://www.ebay.com/p/Exhaust-Muffl...4820097&chn=ps

8.8 axle swap u bolts - Currie CE-9020 4pcs - https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/currie...R-DVPF-CE-9020

The AN fuel system I used all Russell brand adapters and hose ends. This let me retain a factory Ranger fuel pickup in the stock fuel tank. Plug and play. You can find them all on Russell's website.
To the fuel rail - https://www.jegs.com/i/Russell/799/640873/10002/-1
To the fuel rail - https://www.jegs.com/i/Russell/799/640903/10002/-1
More from this page to hook to the factory Ranger fuel pickup tubes: http://www.russellperformance.com/mc...injected.shtml

Earls billet fuel filter - https://www.holley.com/products/plum...arts/230606ERL

Two of these to adapt to the Earl's billet filter - Earl's Performance AN Port Adapters AT985006ERL - https://www.summitracing.com/parts/ear-at985006erl


I'm extremely happy with it so far, but I did it the expensive way for sure. It's built like a tank though.

I've invested over $17,000 to date. I'm supercharging it this year if I can get to it, and swapping to a 3.73 rear gear. I also just picked up a set of complete 97 front suspension i-beams to gain the larger brakes and twin piston calipers. Those will definitely go in this summer due to it being a manual brake truck, but really, it stops just fine as-is.

Your build could go much the same depending on how much you want to invest. OF COURSE it can be done MUCH CHEAPER using Explorer or Mustang stuff and 20+ year old wiring/connectors that may or may not give you troubles. I didn't want those potential problems. I wanted a rock solid daily driver with no surprises.

Here is the fruits of my labor..

31841536_10156312986422208_2401975449723863040_n.jpg

thumbnail (59).jpg
 

Lizzy

New Member
Joined
Mar 23, 2019
Messages
8
Reaction score
6
Points
3
Location
Georgia
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Frod Ranger
Transmission
Manual
THANK YOU!! That is such a beautiful truck! Love it, you have done such an amazing job!
 

Bird76Mojo

Well-Known Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Jun 28, 2009
Messages
2,633
Reaction score
1,264
Points
113
Location
IL
Engine Type
V8
You can have the same thing, or much better. It just takes determination, the desire to learn and troubleshoot, and the dedication to keep at it. You have to really want it. These forums, with the accumulated knowledge here, and the active members, can help you through 95% of your problems along the way. It's a very valuable resource. If you can't find answers here then Google is the next most valuable resource in my opinion.

The unfortunate part that stops or stalls most builds is budget constraints. I've wanted this truck since I was 17 years old and once I finally got to a place in my life where I could afford it some 20+ years later, I just went for it. I did it my way. The way I wanted when I was 17. I did have to make a few small sacrifices along the way, in order to get the more expensive parts that I wanted.. A week of Ramen noodles here or there was totally worth it in the end. :LOL:

It cost me much more than I had originally planned on, but I knew the finished product would bring a smile to my face every day I'm behind the wheel. In my mind it was totally worth it, and it still is as I continue to modify and improve it along the way.

Don't be afraid to ask questions or ask for assistance from members that are local to you, no matter how dumb you think those questions may be. We all have to learn one way or another. I've personally met more than one local member to help them with their project and I'm glad that I did because they were really great guys and I'm glad to have met them.

Oh, and thank you for the compliments. I appreciate it. :)


GB :)
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Kirby N.
March Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top