fit on the back of a ford transmission?
i want to keep costs low right now. i get that an ls is a better motor and what have you but the price of getting everything adapted and finding a good transmission is higher than it would cost to get a 5.0, rebuild it, and drop it straight in.
besides if i decide I don't like a 5.0 I can always take it out later and swap an ls in.
there are no hard and fast things with swaps that do not involve location and what is readily available....some areas of the country might make a toyota v8 swap logical. so that is a thing.
if you are a ford purist or already have a bad ass ford powertrain, by all means use the ford... this is the most likely way to keep it par with a LS swap. problem with a LS swap is people buy shit they dont need. that is that persons problem.
goal...objective...clarity of execution.
the LS is
NOT a
better engine than the windsor in my eyes....its awesome....it is simplified....easy to work with...but gives up some oiling that will not let it rise above the windsor.....par for sure....but that is one idiots opinion..
the cleveland otoh....i had to redo my list. on the last three projects i assisted on....well.
for a ranger platform...
to say its cheaper and easier to do a 302 swap is just simply not true for the only reason to swap a v8....for a competent mechanic...
glorious sound and POWER.
doing a poor boy junkyard swap which is my deal....
to me...starting with 100 more hp for the same price is a no brainer.
if you wish to retain efi...the tuning and ecu are far superior and way more cost effective and last longer than eec4 or 5.
though these days i say run speeduino right out of the gate. no matter what engine if it has pushrods.
for your case...
your chassis being cheaper than an LS is almost true, as the engine itself has a bolt in solution. interfacing with the ac and cruise ect can be easier...potentially bolt in...i say potentially because it depends what you are starting with... for the uninitiated anyway...
problem is....for the least competent mechanic....installing the powertrain is the easy and fast part. you dont need adapters....cross u joints maybe...that could be a thing...if it cost you more than 100 bux to install an LS powertrain...not interactive mind you...just bolt in... then any engine will be an issue....generally the driveshafts could cost more...as you prefer a manual...and those transmissions are on the high side regardless of brand. even the r2 is expensive where i am...
the average 5.3 and trans assembly is par in cost and procurement in my neck of the woods.
when you prefer a 4x4 with manual it is for sure getting higher dollar no matter the brand...this should be read under a 1000 dollar limit for engine trans and t case is not a 3 minute phone call anymore with one stop. plan on 1200 and 3 stops....
u pull yards are dying off and older powertrains are thinning in my area.
on a budget...
with the ranger and a LS 4x4 i would run a 4.3 s10 trans and t case....these run 350-550 locally and a 5.3 350-750 locally. same as a 302 and r2 trans.
problem running the s10 stuff is the 5 bolt thing like the ranger....just depends on goals and dollars willing to waste.
going up in t case
the fullsize 241 or jeep/dodge transfer cases fit better...and costs tend to be par.....the jeep dodge case. these also can be made to work with the ford trans...
and that is the thing. i use a ford 208 transfer case with a 4l80 and a 6.x diesel in my personal ranger. all with factory parts and one 70 dollar ring adapter....
that is a big block.....giant fat bastard super strong transmission and wide ass t case.
for some reason it fits.
the allure of the bolt in swap of a 302 over some other thing is pretty strong.
but ignorant....not stupid...ignorant. these are not always interchangeable. and ignorant is not intended as an insult....it is why you are asking questions.
there are several companies with clocking solutions .... there are several companies that will supply different input shafts for various t cases to make what you want to do work....often cost effectively...
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so. goals and objectives.
said another way....
take the average junkyard in detroit....
two rangers two guys....say me and you.
you will do the ford explorer based ....me the ubiquitous 5.3.
i will do it faster.....cheaper and with ALOT more power.
if i can do that....anyone can.
will it be perfect.....no
will it be beautiful? fawk no
will i be having a blast.....yes.
