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5.0 4x4 manual swap in 1998 ranger


Jbyrd


Ford Technician
Joined
Oct 5, 2025
Messages
2
Points
1
City
Cohutta
State - Country
GA - USA
Vehicle Year
1998
Vehicle
Ford Ranger
Drive
4WD
Engine
3.0 V6
Transmission
Manual
Total Lift
Stock
Total Drop
Stock
Ok so I need some help im looking to swap a built 5.0 engine into my ranger i thought about using the 4.0 4x4 trans but I heard it won't handle the power of a built 5.0 what trans will hold the power im also wanting to keep my truck manual any advice?
 
Do a search here? Visit the tech archives? This has been discussed a ton…

The 4.0 trans will not bolt to the 5.0/302 block. So not only will it not handle a built 5.0, but it won’t bolt up without adapters.

How built of a motor are we talking anyway? You just say “built” which could potentially mean anything from headers/cam/flow port/etc to something capable of 800+ HP.

If you’re building 800+ HP you’re going to want a ZF5 or something not common to swap in. The ZF5 will require a body lift and/or trans tunnel clearancing.

If you’re building more stock, the M5OD from a 97-03 F-150 with the 4.2 is what is usually chosen.
 
I would like to get at least 400 to the ground hp wise
 
In order for Ford engineers to get 400 engine horsepower out of a 5.0 Coyote they needed 11:1 compression and 6k rpms.

To get 400hp at the ground you need another ?75? hp at the engine?

A 5.0 Windsor with >11:1 compression will need premium, if not racing fuel; a 7k rpm power peak will leave it no fun to drive around town. And the stock Windsor block will split in 1/2 at that power level.

An a ZF/M5OD-R2 aren't designed for working behind an engine running those rpms.
 
 
start with a 6.0 ls or a 351 windsor if you want to do that naturally aspirated..

if you want a 5.0 windsor, it will need a blower or turbo.

if you do that with a stock block....it will likely fail and wreck everything within a 100k.

which, is a fair deal.
 




this gets a nv4500 to a sbf...






last i looked 150-200k miles 6.0 was running 1300. so from there if it was usable with just doing cam bearings and typical freshen up...and a gm nv4500 trans in usuable condition...12-1800. i would probably run a 241 case or a 208 ford case with a 32 spline input and a clock ring...both of which i own already....many.

to get to 400 wheel, i would guess 5 grandish....all in doing it myself.


with a 351....400 wheel....probably 7. unless i got lucky with some heads than maybe 5 going with a carb.... the ford is the cheapest to buy...probably 1200-1400 for a engine and zf 5 speed....but hell to get 400 wheel out of n/a without good heads. the ls will do it with a cam swap and tbss intake.

with a 302...8-9 k and it would be a hand grenade. that is provided i can get a supercharger around 3500....or go stroker and full build....still 7-8k.

even with a manual trans, 400 whp in a 4x4 is closer to the 490 to 510 crank area depending on tire and actual t case combination.. with my 4l80 or an 4r100 or c6 probably 530...


that will be rowdy.....and ridiculous fun in a ranger.
 
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