460 ranger?

[NoJokePowerStroke]

Has it been done? enough room? frame too weak? Is it resonable?

 

[Twizzler09]

Dropping a 460 into a Ranger is going to be ALOT of work, and I stress the word ALOT.

The motors themselves are of sufficient size to make modifications to the firewall absoluetly nessecary, not to mention the x-bracing and boxing you'll have to do to the frame. No Ranger frame in its stock form can withstand the beating a 460 Big Block puts out. Hood clearance might be a problem too. Unless you use a low-profile intake, even then I still think it might be an issue.

Also, exhaust might be a problem. Theres no aftermarket support for 460 Rangers. Finding exhaust manifolds or Headers that will fit without modification could be quite a chore. You'd probably be better off buying one of those do-it-yourself kits that I've seen in JEGZ catalouges.

Another thing, with the weight of a 460 block, heftier springs on the front will be needed. Just putting a 302 in throws the camber out a degree or two, a 460 will most definitely cause Camber Carnage.

I'm sure theres more that would need to be done, but I cant think of em all right now.

All in all, if you have tons of time, BUTTLOADS of money, and some skill in fabrication, then go for it. If you lack any one of those three, dont attempt it. You'll just end up frustrated and out tons of cash. Unless your planning on Racing the truck, its not worth in it the first place.

Not saying it can't be done, because it can. But its going to take alot of work, time, and funding.

 

[281Ranger]

www.bigblockranger.com

 

[281Ranger]

Dropping a 460 into a Ranger is going to be ALOT of work, and I stress the word ALOT.

The motors themselves are of sufficient size to make modifications to the firewall absoluetly nessecary, not to mention the x-bracing and boxing you'll have to do to the frame. No Ranger frame in its stock form can withstand the beating a 460 Big Block puts out. Hood clearance might be a problem too. Unless you use a low-profile intake, even then I still think it might be an issue.

Also, exhaust might be a problem. Theres no aftermarket support for 460 Rangers. Finding exhaust manifolds or Headers that will fit without modification could be quite a chore. You'd probably be better off buying one of those do-it-yourself kits that I've seen in JEGZ catalouges.

Another thing, with the weight of a 460 block, heftier springs on the front will be needed. Just putting a 302 in throws the camber out a degree or two, a 460 will most definitely cause Camber Carnage.

I'm sure theres more that would need to be done, but I cant think of em all right now.

All in all, if you have tons of time, BUTTLOADS of money, and some skill in fabrication, then go for it. If you lack any one of those three, dont attempt it. You'll just end up frustrated and out tons of cash. Unless your planning on Racing the truck, its not worth in it the first place.

Where do you get your info from?

 

[Mutant Pony]

I've seen about 4 or 5 of them. All on cut down fullsize frames. Pretty silly if you ask me. If you want a motor that big, get a fullsize. I do some some pretty silly things myself though.

 

[projectnitemare]

I'm already working on the project you speak of. Due to time, money and a nagging soon to be exwife the project is on hold for 6 months to a year. It can be done but be prepaired to make a lot of parts and think of more than one way to do some of the things because the first idea isn't always the best.

Matt

 

[BigBlockRanger]

LOOOOOOOL

I love how people that have not done one, know soooo much about it....


Camber change eh?

My ride height is virtually identical to the 302/T5 combo that used to be in this truck.

 

[281Ranger]

Due to time, money and a nagging soon to be exwife the project is on hold for 6 months to a year.

I hear that man. I've been divorced for a month (June, Friday the 13th) and my truck is on hold also. Not sure when I'll be able to get back to it, but the frame is a nice shiny black. Just glad the ex let me keep the house, I don't know what I would have done with a Ranger that is totally disassembled.

 

[Twizzler09]

Working in a town full of gear-heads, and working in a tire shop, you see just about everything at some point or another. I've run into a couple people that had just done a 302 swap and had come in to get an alignment, one of the guys I work with sets it up on the machine, and sure enough it reads camber as being off by a degree or two on both sides. A 460 would have to weigh more than a 302, which means I should be able to safely assume that it will throw out the camber more.

All I'm doing is pointing out logical problem areas. 351's are a tight fit in Rangers, so I can assume that 460's would be a bit tougher to fit. Having never seen headers meant specifically for a 460BB Ranger listed on any online parts site, or in Jegz/Northern Auto, I assumed aftermarket support for that kind of thing is minimal/nonexistant, which is why I mentioned the DIY kits that I've seen on the Jegz site. I've been toying with the idea of a BB Ranger myself, and I've been looking for aftermarket support...and unfortunately there doesnt seem to be much that I can find.

I've seen Ranger frames bent up by 351w motors, which would lead me to believe that a 460 would cause a decent amount of damage without having to try quite as hard. People are worried about frame strength on this site with just 302's and 351's.... if the Ranger frame is so capable as to withstand the torque of a 460, then why bother worrying about bent-up frames with a 302?

As I stated before, I'm not saying it cant be done, because it can. But theres no way its the cake-walk everyone makes it sound like it should be. I'm not a nay-sayer on this, just trying to be practical. Just making sure all the potential problem areas get pointed out. Even if its not candy-coated in pleasant internet banter. No sense in saying anything if you cant be blunt about it.

With that said, dude if you really want a BB Ranger, then do it. Anything can be done if you work at it.

 

[281Ranger]

If the Ranger frame was so easy to bend, how come the V8 forums on any of the Ranger sites aren't full of "I bent my frame" posts?

As for needing an alignment after a V8 swap, was the alignment dead on BEFORE the swap?

Years ago, back when the Ranger first came out, there was a company making swap kits for a 460 into a Ranger. Came with mounts, headers, radiator, a pre-formed notch for the firewall, and maybe a couple other things. They also offered a kit to move the springs inside the frame rails along with some mini tubs. They recomended a 9" rear with this setup.

 

[Iron Ranger]

http://www.mre-books.com/ranger.html

This guy who wrote this entire manual stuffed a 460 into his ranger. He explains in pretty good detail what he had to do to make it work. I bought his manual and it is very informative.

He explains the work and components needed from a 302 to a 460 swap. Take a look!!

 

[BigBlockRanger]

Frame strength has never been an issue with the BBF Ranger guys I have had contact with. Of course they are drag race guys and not off-roaders. I'm not the least bit worried about the frame.

 

[Twizzler09]

281, I've never heard of that kit before. Anyone still make one?

I'm assuming that the alignment was dead on or close to before the swaps due to lack of odd tire wear, which is usually a pretty good indication. As for the frames, every once in awhile I see someone ask about frame strength and which RBV frame is best for (insert purpose here). Its not normally a problem to run a SBF in an RBV, but I'd be a little hesitant to drop in a BBF without some kind of frame reinforcement. It might just be personal preference, though.

All that said, we'd never have any fun if nobody pushed the Ranger to its limits. Thats where all the good stories and info come from

 

[BigBlockRanger]

I wasn't intending to bust your nutz. I just see plenty of folks talk about how hard the swap is or how much money is needed or you have to fab a kazillion things to make it work. It's just not the case. 99.9% of the time it's just here-say.

The FRPP BBF to fox body engine pedestals are darn near perfect to mount the engine and the C6 fits w/o any crazy floor pan modifications. The rear trans mount fell together like Ford planned this swap themselves. Headers are the only real challenge, but there are plenty of shops around that can make a nice set. Using manifolds would make it a slam dunk. Room up front is tight, but not a deal breaker by any means. I did not cut the firewall at all.

They're really not all that heavy either. A guy on 460Ford weighed his aluminum headed stroker and it was right at 550 lbs. That was with water pump, etc. and I think the alternator as well.

I tried like hell to do this swap in a way that any one of you guys could easily follow in my footsteps and to erase some of the BS about running a 460 in a Ranger.

I can't wait it roll this thing out and make a few passes at the track.

 

[Iron Ranger]

I wasn't intending to bust your nutz. I just see plenty of folks talk about how hard the swap is or how much money is needed or you have to fab a kazillion things to make it work. It's just not the case. 99.9% of the time it's just here-say.

In that manual(above), the guy seriously modifed every inch of his ranger to accommidate the 500+ HP 460. After it's all said and done, it looks like only 50% of the original Ranger is intact, the rest was modified.

The 460 WILL fit, but it's a very tight squeeze. Plus it's a big block, so having excessive forward weight will affect handling and acceleration(burnout in 4th gear).

The guy in the book moved his 460 back as far as needed to get a 60/40 weight ratio from front to back.

More traction, better handling.

As a welder, I learned that if you can plan it out, and put it on paper, you can build it.
Just don't be surprised if it's like fitting a square peg into a round hole.

Or, as my dad says "Anything fits with a big enough hammer"