460 ranger?

[281Ranger]

I'm not real impressed with the guy from MRE books. I did a google search about 1-1/2 years ago for "281ranger" just to see what would come up. Found out he had me and my truck listed as a reader's ride (insinuating that I read his books). I had never heard of MRE books. I contacted him ASAP and chewed him up one side and down the other. He then relisted it under "other sites" or something like that. He said he was working on his own 4.6 powered Ranger, but to this day he hasn't started it.

I also ran into alot of nay-sayers and BS when I started my swap. The best thing I did was to determine that the 4.6 dohc would fit BEFORE I went on the 'net looking for info. If I had gone on the 'net first, I would have never started the swap. I also didn't post about what I was doing until I had pictures to prove it. If you read this thread you'll understand what I'm talking about.

http://www.rangerpowersports.com/forum/showthread.php?t=120081

Sorry if it seems like I jump on people too much about posting things that just don't add up, but no information is better than bad information.

Twizzler, sorry I don't have a name for the company that made that kit, and I'm sure it's no longer available. One of the big car mags did an article about it. That was back before you were born.

 

[Twizzler09]

Being out before I was born isn't hard, haha.

That sucks, though. I probably woulda bought one, lol.

 

[reginald fairfield]

I would just put in a hot 302 or 351C. The 4.6 is huge and not that great anyways, and the 460 never was that great of a motor to begin with. From my experience they hardly ever last longer then 100,000 miles. 302 get you the most bang for the buck most of the time, and the 351 is pretty good on torque as far as that goes. Plus you have a few more factory parts for the 302 because of the explorer 5.0.

 

[Twizzler09]

The idea of a BBF in a Ranger though is pretty.....enticing. At least to me.

Personally I want to see Dyno sheets/HP & Torque specs for all the different Ford V8 motors, both small block and big block. That would be the major determining factor in which motor I would choose.

Of course, though, I dont speak for anyone else.

 

[reginald fairfield]

Personally I want to see Dyno sheets/HP & Torque specs for all the different Ford V8 motors, both small block and big block. That would be the major determining factor in which motor I would choose.

Sounds good. Tell me when you find a good source.

 

[BigBlockRanger]

Total Performance was the company with the swap kit, but I have never been able to track down any solid info on it. I contacted them a couple of years ago and while they said they did do a BB Ranger, they didn't offer or have any of the stuff anymore.

4.6L aren't that great? What? I own an '07 Mountaineer with a 3 valve and that thing scoots! It's quiet, smooth and revs line a banshee when you bury your foot in it. I like them, they are neat neat motors.

I guess it really depends upon what you want to do. I wanted to build a motor that would make right at 700 hp without spray or forced induction and feel I have accomplished that for far less $$$ than I would have had to dump into a small block.

 

[Iron Ranger]

4.6 are really, really good motors to pound the snot out of. They have the extra casting material to take a good pedal stomping

 

[reginald fairfield]

4.6 are really, really good motors to pound the snot out of. They have the extra casting material to take a good pedal stomping

I know, I was speaking more of the weight/size ratio. They are HUGE compared to a 302, and they have less displacement. But I wouldn't bother swapping one in a ranger. I would want the smallest motor with the most displacement. I.E. a 302. Why do you think the chevy 350 is so popular?

 

[v-8power]

Total Performance was the company with the swap kit, but I have never been able to track down any solid info on it. I contacted them a couple of years ago and while they said they did do a BB Ranger, they didn't offer or have any of the stuff anymore.

In 87 i went to their shop. they had a New ranger they had just completed a 460 swap, It looked AWSOME. The factory sticker in the window listed the price as 7000.00 or so, then they added the 460 stuff and it jumped to 19,000.00.

I went there to get info on my first swap. Hell the guy was nice enough to take me for a ride in a 351W ranger.

 

[BigBlockRanger]

The mod motors are big, no doubt! When I went to pick up my block at the machine shop, there was an assembled 5.4L sitting next to it. I wish I would have taken a pic. That thing was monstrous.

 

[281Ranger]

I know, I was speaking more of the weight/size ratio. They are HUGE compared to a 302, and they have less displacement. But I wouldn't bother swapping one in a ranger. I would want the smallest motor with the most displacement. I.E. a 302. Why do you think the chevy 350 is so popular?

The 4.6 with the aluminum block (Cobra, Mark VIII, Explorer, Aviator, Maurader) doesn't weight as much as you think. The aluminum block weighs 75# less than the cast iron block. I weighed both the 4.6 and 2.5 while I was doing my swap. The 2.5 weighed 440#, the 4.6 came in at 455# minus the wiring (add maybe 10 pounds). My Ranger weighed 3200# stock. After swapping in the 4.6, 4R70W, 8.8, larger brakes, bigger wheels and tires, etc, the truck only gained 200#.

Less displacement isn't a problem when 281 cubic inches produces 280hp and 285tq in stock form (Mark VIII 4.6, Cobra is higher). The Teksid blocks ('93-'98 Mark VIII and '96-'98 Cobra) can handle more than 1000 hp without being modified.

If you have a '98-up 2wd Ranger I would definitely consider the "bother" of putting a 4.6 into a Ranger. They're fun as all hell.

 

[projectnitemare]

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.

It seems decent people always get hosed, i know how you feel. Yeah my wife has been gone for a month and a half. The ridiculous part is we just got married May 17th. She was been acting a little funny before the wedding but I figured she was nervous. She ruined our honeymoon because she was on the phone the whole time and I figured it all out on June 5th; she was cheating on me with another woman. So its just me and my 17 month old daughter. All my projects are on hold but I can still give any help and pointers to what I know.

Matt

 

[Iron Ranger]

She ruined our honeymoon because she was on the phone the whole time and I figured it all out on June 5th; she was cheating on me with another woman. So its just me and my 17 month old daughter. All my projects are on hold but I can still give any help and pointers to what I know.

Matt

Man, thats about as bad as it can get. Not only did she cheat on you, but she did it with a woman. And to top it all off, left you to raise your daughter alone. Man, Sorry to hear that.

That just plain SUCKS!!!!

 

[Twizzler09]

Thats pretty crappy man, sorry to hear that.

For the problems divorce solves, it sure does create alot of new ones. Not to mention the strain it can put on the kids involved.