05 V8 Swap?????

[LowRanger_96/05]

Does anyone have a preference on motor mounts/conversion kits for a mid 80's 302 going into a 2005 2WD ranger? I have a 96 ranger with a 302, but the kit is different...

 

[Mac]

If going into a '05' Ranger, there are no kits, Ford made it rather simple at least for the wiring.
Check out http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/5_0_swap_in_newer_ranger.html
Get back with more questions that I know will come.
Dave

 

[LowRanger_96/05]

I have everything i need to make the truck run (i.e. wiring, fuel lines, exhaust, ext... ) but the motor mounts that come stock in the 05 are very high, and will put my 302 through my hood. The current kit that i have (two steel plates mounted the the engine cradle that bolt to my motor mounts) will not work with the newer style frame. I need to know one of two things; what motor mounts will work with the late 80's 302 block so that the engine sits low in the frame, or if there are any kits anyone has used to replace the stock mounts.

 

[LowRanger_96/05]

sorry for the quick reply, i didn't checkout the link prior to my last post... in that swap it says they used the stock explorer mounts, i will give that a shot...

 

[V8 Level II]

I have everything i need to make the truck run (i.e. wiring, fuel lines, exhaust, ext... ) but the motor mounts that come stock in the 05 are very high, and will put my 302 through my hood. The current kit that i have (two steel plates mounted the the engine cradle that bolt to my motor mounts) will not work with the newer style frame. I need to know one of two things; what motor mounts will work with the late 80's 302 block so that the engine sits low in the frame, or if there are any kits anyone has used to replace the stock mounts.

There were 2 different 2WDs made in 2005, so there are two different answers.

2WD Edge (torsion bar front suspension): use the stock motor mounts and engine plates from a 96~2001 5.0 Explorer. These should bolt right in without modification and place the engine in exactly the right position.

2WD XL/XLT (coil front suspension): there is no off the shelf mount solution for a 5.0 in this truck. Check with BrianB31 on Rangerpowersports.com. He did the swap and has diagrams for the custom mounts.

 

[Mac]

I have everything i need to make the truck run (i.e. wiring, fuel lines, exhaust, ext... ) but the motor mounts that come stock in the 05 are very high, and will put my 302 through my hood. The current kit that i have (two steel plates mounted the the engine cradle that bolt to my motor mounts) will not work with the newer style frame. I need to know one of two things; what motor mounts will work with the late 80's 302 block so that the engine sits low in the frame, or if there are any kits anyone has used to replace the stock mounts.

Just kind of wondering what wiring and computer you are planning on running? Torque Monster headers? Reason I'm asking about which computer is that the '05 is a real odd ball, doesn't come with the PAT's system. Been wondering if the '97' Explorer would work but never got around to checking out all the pin connections.
Dave

 

[LowRanger_96/05]

the truck that i am building is a bit of a Frankenstein build... it started its life as a 96 splash, i bought it when i was a Sr. in high school and started building it as a lowrider. I did an 03 ranger front end swap (Hood, fenders, grill, rad support, headder panel, bumper, ext...) shaved the entire truck from grill to tailgate, then started the suspension... the problem was that at the time i had never built a lowrider so this was a learning experience to say the least... during the suspension build i blew the transmission out, and somehow managed to destroy the 4banger at the same time... SO i decided to put a 5.0 in it... the motor is an 88 5.0 (I think) out of a mustang... it is decently built it is using the ECU from a late 80 4X4 ford truck (5.0 also) so it is a very simple setup to make the truck run. The entire truck was assembled and driving a few weeks ago, but i had purchased an complete 05 frame, steering, suspension, rearend, fuel system, brakes EVERYTHING but the motor, tranny, and body. so i bought it to elliminate the I beam suspension, and to give me a fresh start on the suspension. the original setup worked but was very messy, i have since grown up a bit and am going to elliminate the air ride suspension totally... it will be more of a street truck that should be fun to drive. Now that that is out of the way, i did look at the explorer 5.0 motor mounts, and they look like they will mount to my frame, but not to my motor... currently i have the early 90s F100 mounts (302) which allow the motor to sit very low in the frame on the 96, but will not fit on the 05. The 96 uses a simple 1/4" thick plate that is slotted to allow the mount to sit in, so it is looking like i will be building a similar setup for the 05. if anyone has a better solution, i am all ears...