302 swap

[1987 4x4]

Me and my buddy are planning on swapping out the 2.9 5speed & transfer case out of his 88 ranger and swapping in his 302 from his old exploder with gt40 not gt40p and we plan on using the trans & transfer case & possibly the axils out of a 88 f150. We also plan on swapping it from efi to carbed

My questions were we were going to use mustang engine mounts will these work? And will the f150 axils work instead of ranger axils? Will we be able to use the ranger driveshafts still work or should we have the f150's cut down?

 

[1987 4x4]

Me & my buddy were talkin today and were thinkin about grabbing a pair of gt40p heads but the only problem I can see is the manifolds could we use the stock p manifolds or do we have to grab a set of headers for it? Help is really apreciated

 

[RangerSVT]

Grab the manifolds with the p heads...I'd be interested in the 40 heads if you won't use them...where you located? D-shafts depends on engine location. Axles will need fabwork. Tcase issues will arise...

SVT

 

[1987 4x4]

I'm just outside Pittsburgh pa but we might be trading the 40 for the p cause his friends building a fox body an couldn't afford the headers and already had ones that work for the 40 heads

We're planning on putting the 302 mounts were the 2.9s were. Is it worth swapping the axils (it's gonna be mostly a dd with some weekend off road use)? And what problems are there with fitting the t-case?

 

[projectnitemare]

You can use the stang mounts if you want or fab up a set a plates and use the stock 2.9 lower mounts. What transmission are you looking to use? Good chance the t-case is a Borg Warner 1356. It's on the large side, you will have to notch the frame rail. Some use it some look for the smaller Np 208 or the smaller and stronger NP 205. You can almost bank on needing new driveshafts. As far as axles you have a Dana 28 front and 7.5 rear if all is stock. If you have the F 150 at your disposal use it. It's a crap shoot on what to do there. you could use a newer Ranger Dana 35 front and an 8.8 rear which is all pretty much a bolt in deal. The F 150 Dana 44 has a bigger ring and pinion but the axle joints are the same as the D35 and it's not as much as a bolt in. The 150 rear will be an 8.8 as well but not as bolt in as the ranger. Reguardless you will kill the D28 in short time if you abuse it.

Matt

 

[1987 4x4]

so we should leave the 150 axils find a newer set of ranger axils, use the foxbody mounts?,and find a NP205 or NP208(what are these found on), and the 150 trans will work with out cutting or anything? will the shifter be in the sam location or do i have to have the engine real close to the rad for it to be in stock location? And speaking of rads i heard/read that the explorer 4.0 rad is a direct drop in and it will cool the 302 fine, is this true?