LS Swap Information- 1992 Ranger 2WD

[Officer860]

I’m hoping to get some information in regards to doing a build on a 5.3L to put into my 1992 Ford Ranger. Curious if anyone out there has done this and what issues they faced. If you have suggestions on parts or how to avoid complicated issues down the line let me know. If there is anyone who could give a good guess on total cost of a swap like this I would be appreciative as well. I am at the very beginning stages of looking into this now so almost any information is appreciated. Thank you!

 

[Yotaismygame]

It's more expensive than you think. What's your plans with the truck? That's the biggest factor. Just swapping a junky 5.3l and 4l60e won't be too bad but there's still a lot involved. ECU/wiring, header fitment, fueling, cooling, mounts for both engine and trans, driveline and more!

Check out MRE motorsports on YT. He has some good footage of his swapped ranger drag truck.

 

[Officer860]

It's more expensive than you think. What's your plans with the truck? That's the biggest factor. Just swapping a junky 5.3l and 4l60e won't be too bad but there's still a lot involved. ECU/wiring, header fitment, fueling, cooling, mounts for both engine and trans, driveline and more!

Check out MRE motorsports on YT. He has some good footage of his swapped ranger drag truck.

I mainly want it as just a fun scoot around town vehicle and have the ability to go to the track and have fun. Bolt on cam build nothing crazy.

 

[Yotaismygame]

If you look in the 2wd frame section you'll see what I've been doing with my 95. Drag truck, so youll need some kind of anti wrap bar. Lowering the truck at all? What's your budget? If I had to do it all over again I would probably pick a S10. Although the engine bay is smaller there is so much aftermarket support for swapping those trucks. Very little aftermarket anything for the 2wd rangers.

 

[Officer860]

If you look in the 2wd frame section you'll see what I've been doing with my 95. Drag truck, so youll need some kind of anti wrap bar. Lowering the truck at all? What's your budget? If I had to do it all over again I would probably pick a S10. Although the engine bay is smaller there is so much aftermarket support for swapping those trucks. Very little aftermarket anything for the 2wd rangers.

Yeah I will be lowering it a little. I don’t want it slammed but just enough to look good. Only reason I went ranger and not s10 is because the ranger has sentimental value to me and is spotless already. Not really sure on budget obviously don’t want to brake the bank but will spend money for quality.

 

[Yotaismygame]

I'd suspect 10k minimum.

 

[Ranger850]

The Explorer 5.0 swap is much easier. Most of the work has been done to fit the 5.0 v8 into the Ranger Engine bay. Just get a Donor v8 Explorer and swap everything over. If you have the LS motor already, I would find an S10 or S15 to put it in.

 

[fastpakr]

The Explorer 5.0 swap is much easier. Most of the work has been done to fit the 5.0 v8 into the Ranger Engine bay. Just get a Donor v8 Explorer and swap everything over. If you have the LS motor already, I would find an S10 or S15 to put it in.

It's not the same on a '92 as it is on your '01. The Explorer is still a good donor, but it's not a straight swap.

 

[dvdswan]

Its a lot of work for sure. I've done the swap in a Nissan. 10K worth, nope. Closer to 4k on mine. More fab work than anything.

 

[Yotaismygame]

I’m currently doing a build now with a 5.3l and it’s well over 10k. But I’m not using used parts, and I’m buying quality stuff. Still fabricating a lot of it though. Don’t have a choice there. But we were also were talking about the whole build not just the swap. He mentioned lowering and drag racing it.

 

[dvdswan]

It certainly adds up.