Want to swap - need some ideas

[98v70dad]

I've got a 96 ranger that is in near new shape but I'm tired of its lack of power and mediocre gas mileage I bought a new big v-8 truck about a month ago so now the ranger is an extra, meaning I can work on it and temporarily drive the new truck to work (it gets even worse mpg's). The ranger is old enough that in a year I don't need to worry about passing emissions. Anyhow I would like power, torque and good gas mileage.

I know the small block V-8 is the easiest but the mpgs are just too low for my long drive to work. I only have a small shop with basic hand tools and a drill press - no welding set-up but I was a certified welder at one time a long time ago (could always buy a welder). I'm an engineer (been wrenching for 45 years) who is good at DIY and nothing really scares me about any of the swaps I've read about on here. But my limited tools and concern about having the project turn into a time and money black hole makes me cautious. The guy up the street has done a few swaps and he is willing to give some help if I get in a bind.

The TDI swap really appeals to me but it seems like a crazy amount of work. It seems a v-6 ecoboost would be a good candidate but I have no idea what sort of effort that would take. Can anybody give me some good ideas on where to start?

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Whats in your truck now?

If its a 4 cylinder i think the best power/cost option is a 4.0.

 

[Ramcharger90]

Well most of the swaps I would suggest besides a v8 would require some fabrication.

My ideas would be a 4cyl EcoBoost or 6cyl EcoBoost. Which would most likely require the firewall being heavily modified. Depending on your states emissions since its OBD2 will be a factor of how you do those.

4G63 which you could get a bellhousing adapter for a c4 but i dont remember if you can put a transfer case on those. And if your truck is 4x4 you could get a awd transfer case and have a evo/ranger.

Rotary engine or 4 Rotor with a turbo or turbos.

Coyote swap,

STI swap.

Honda K20 with turbo swap.

Cammed 5.7 hemi.

 

[Josh B]

I think Rusty has a good point, and a 4.0 keeps it fairly stock

 

[Josh B]

What are good options to obtain a 4.0 ?

 

[98v70dad]

I think Rusty has a good point, and a 4.0 keeps it fairly stock

Mine is a 3.0L, automatic 2WD and is a dog when it comes to acceleration and performance. It was free so I can't complain but I really hate it. Gas mileage ain't really great considering. I've read that a 4.0L is not a whole lot better. The 3.0L gas mileage was probably competitive in 1996 - a long time ago.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

What mileage do you get now?
I would lean towards a turbo charged 2.3l.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Do you want power or mileage? Lol.

Pretty hard to have both.

Whats your 3.0 getting now? It should be up around 20. Even with a pricy ecoboost swap you arnt going to pick up much i wouldnt think. Aerodynamics kill these things.

 

[Josh B]

My 4.0 gets a steady 21/22 when it isn't loaded, towing trailers, or working agin a transmission w/ a lame bearing

That's completely stock, I'm yet to add any uprades such as specialty breathers etc

 

[Dirtman]

It would be cheaper to buy a second car for commuting than doing an ecoboost swap... and no other "easy" swap is going to net you any substantial benefit to your fuel economy. As said, you can't fight aerodynamics. It's a truck, it's always going to get truck mileage. If you want power do a 5.0, if you want fuel economy buy a crappy compact car.

 

[Josh B]

I've checked mileage in every vehicle I've ever owned, since the 1960s, and the only one better than what I have now was a, wait, wait for this, ready Dirtman, it was another truck!
It was a 1980 Chevy LUV with a standard tranny

 

[Dirtman]

Hard to guzzle fuel in a tin can powered by a lawn mower...

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Hard to guzzle fuel in a tin can powered by a lawn mower...

My LUV averaged 17.5mpg and had about a 1/4 the power of my 2.9s tbat generally get 20-22.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Swap ideas:

2.9
Ford 300
Jag V12
BMW V12
2JZ
Mazda rotary
Hyabusa
BMW I6
Benz V8
Supercharged Benz anything
Steam engine

 

[Dirtman]

Swap ideas:

Ford 300
Jag V12
BMW V12
2JZ
Mazda rotary
Hyabusa
BMW I6
Benz V8
Supercharged Benz anything
Steam engine

You feeling ok?