Questions about a swap in a 95 Ranger

[Noclue88]

I’m starting a list of parts for a 5.0 swap in a 4x4 and needs some questions answered. The truck has a 3 inch body lift and 31’s for now. I ended up with a failure that cost the truck a transmission and transfer case. It’s 5 speed and I’m looking at keeping it that way. So I’m going to be using a 97 donor explorer to swap my 28 spline to the 31, snag the engine and accessories. But is my plans to use the M50-R2 the best route? I know the shifter will need to be relocated to clear the dash. But will it mount to transfer case without any problems? Any help is appreciated!

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

97-04 4.2 F-150 M5R2 has a shifter position similar to the Ranger. It will take most fullsize t-cases, a lot of later model trucks just use the 4406 that was on the M5R2 to start with.

 

[Noclue88]

97-04 4.2 F-150 M5R2 has a shifter position similar to the Ranger. It will take most fullsize t-cases, a lot of later model trucks just use the 4406 that was on the M5R2 to start with.

Do those mount on the Ranger pretty painlessly? Or do you need to finagle things around?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Do those mount on the Ranger pretty painlessly? Or do you need to finagle things around?

The trans did for me (your results may vary)

I can't speak on the t-case, I used a NP205 which is much more compact and has a speedometer drive for my older truck.

 

[Noclue88]

So I guess I need someone to make this easy on me because I’ve got a pile of donor options and can’t make up my mind. I’ve got these options available to swap I just need to know what parts are going to be the most straight forward for now. 85 F-150 with 4 speed/transfer case. 97 Explorer AWD, 99 explorer 4x4 and 01 Explorer 4x4. My truck is a 95 solid axle swap Dana 35 with 44 knuckles already has 3 inch body lift. If It’s going to be easier to run a carb for now just to get the truck running that’s fine. I just need help deciphering what parts will benefit me most. Useful information may be running 33’s currently and 302 that’s going in is around 500hp at the crank.