1988 ford ranger xlt prerunner 302 swap

[Lbean122214]

Hello all,
So im stuck in a pickle, i have an 88 ranger 2wd with the 2.9 and 5 speed. Its got 4 or 6 inch bulged front fenders, and flared back fenders, 6 inch lift 33s, front and back tubular bumper and skid plate on front. But anyways ive been wanting to swap a 302 for a while. My boss asked if id trade him my dirt bike for his 1985 mustang gt with a c4. Also im in the process of aquiring a 90s mode explorer it sit nextdoor at my in laws so i see it everyday, just sits there. But how easy would the swap be with both donor vehicles? I would go carbuerated at first and slowly gather parts for the fuel injecton swap i already have intake manifold and carb. Thanks!!

 

[deathbypsi]

Fortunately you have two of the best donors to work with. The 85 302 has forged pistons and roller cam and a good intake and carb set up. The explorer has the best front accessory dress set up to use. The Explorer motor could have the normal GT40 heads which are a great upgrade over the E5 heads on the mustang motor or it could have the GT40P heads which are slightly better but will require better springs and headers are tricky.

I just did a very similar swap on my 86 bronco2 and I have lots of pix and vids in my build thread here.
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=174354

 

[JOLENE_THE_RANGER]

aside from wiring i think itd be a pretty easy. autofab has bolt on conversion engine mounts for your truck. just make a trans cross member and start roastin tires!

 

[Lbean122214]

Awesome i still need to find out if the explorer has the 5.0 or not if not mu boss said to take the towers and mounts off of the mustang 302 and line it up in my ranger, and also the transmission cross member also. He said just get the motor and tranny lined up pretty close then to mark where the holes on the cross member line up on the ranger frame and drill new holes and bolt it up. Will the mustang motor mounts work? Also he said i can drop the mustang rear end and it would fit perfect on my ranger? Is this true? Im just trying to get as much info as i can before i trade him my dirtbike for everything. And thank you guys for the info and ill definitely be going through your thread!

 

[JOLENE_THE_RANGER]

Awesome i still need to find out if the explorer has the 5.0 or not if not mu boss said to take the towers and mounts off of the mustang 302 and line it up in my ranger, and also the transmission cross member also. He said just get the motor and tranny lined up pretty close then to mark where the holes on the cross member line up on the ranger frame and drill new holes and bolt it up. Will the mustang motor mounts work? Also he said i can drop the mustang rear end and it would fit perfect on my ranger? Is this true? Im just trying to get as much info as i can before i trade him my dirtbike for everything. And thank you guys for the info and ill definitely be going through your thread!

No you’ll need conversion motormounts. Autofab.com has em cheap or you can make em. The trans crossmember might work, I doubt it though. It’s easy to make one of those. and the mustangs rear end will be way too narrow for a ranger


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[deathbypsi]

I would politely thank your boss then throw his advice away.

You can use mustang motor mounts but I wouldnt trust then in a PreRunner. I use Jame DUff mounts and in my pics and vids show you exactly where to mount them to the frame.

If the Explorer is not a 5.0 truck the only thing on it you could use would be the 8.8 axle. A foxbody 8.8 will not come close to working.

The trans mount you have can be made to work with a c4 buy making a bolt on plate to extend about 4-5" forward to catch the c4 mount. Or you can look up Ricks Rangers on ebay and buy one of his bolt in high clearance cross members that will work perfectly.

 

[JOLENE_THE_RANGER]

I would politely thank your boss then throw his advice away.

my thoughts exactly haha

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

FWIW if the Mustang really does have a C4 I don't think it was original.

Sure wish someone would trade me an '85 Mustang for my dirt bike...

Convertible foxbody mounts are semi popular for V8 swaps, no idea how the compare for prerunning but I wouldn't use 33yo engine mounts anyway.

 

[Lbean122214]

So ive been talking with my bosses one of which has done a lot of motor swaps, has a 351 in the old explorer truck and a 460 in his bronco. But anyways he said if i can get f150 302 motor mounts and towers that i should be able to swap them in as he just found 351 mounts for a truck and put them in his explorer truck. Can i use f150 or explorer mounts? And what did you do for the rearend? I would love a 9inch but woild settle for an 8.8. Im just trying to make sure i have everything for the swap before i let go of my dirt bike. Sorry for all the questions and such but im tryingto draw up a plan for everything. Thanks guys!!!

 

[JOLENE_THE_RANGER]

Autofab.com has the bolt on engine mounts you need and are ideal for Prerunner applications because they use poly bushings. I have them In my truck and they are amazing. A 9” would be ideal but an explorer 8.8 would work
Here’s a link to the exact engine mounts you need.

http://autofab.com/i-10067896-1983-1997-ranger-2wd-302-v8-motor-mounts-only.html


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