5.0 swap

[don4331]

85_Ranger4x4:

I knew about the 4.2l version of the M5ODR-2 having metric sized holes and needing to be reamed out to for 5.0l; should have included that. I didn’t know its shifter was slightly further back and as a result played better...

I can actually find a 3.8 4R70W easier/in better shape in a Mustang than a 2WD F-150 one from a ’92-96 with 4.9l I-6/5.0l V-8 or ’97-’03 with 4.2 V-6 – you were either buying a ‘econo special’ truck with the small engine/manual/2wd or wanted 4WD which got auto and large V-8 ‘thrown in’.

Dan:

As the guys say decide what you want: if you are going hard core (SAS, etc) where basically all you wanted was a shell and frame, then your truck is starting point. (Although, if I was doing SAS, I would use a ’97 or earlier; just so much easier). It isn’t a good choice for an intermediate 4WD build. If you were hoping for a 4WD; a 2WD build isn’t doing to make you happy. You’re wasting time and money before you get what you’re really after.

I have ~$3.7k into my build at moment. $1,200 for the Ranger; $1,200 for ’96 Explorer; $100 for ’99 Explorer Fuel Rails/Injectors(duh); $75 for engine plates; $500 for ’96 F-150 M5ODR-2; $75 for flywheel; $100 for 8.8”; $100 for Mustang rear disc brakes;$150 for North Racecars Brake plates (wife made me do this – her kids might be in truck and she didn’t like my cutting the Mustang backing plates); $150 for power windows/doors/mirrors. I hope to get about $300 back from scrappers for the Explorer shell/dead 3.0l.

I’m debating opening up the engine/adding Torque Monster headers... If I do that; price will cross $5k quickly.

Maybe I’m the exception, but I have made money with V-8 swaps – course that was swapping 302s into 2.3l Mustangs about 25 years ago. 5.0 Mustang ‘looks’ close enough to stock to pass all but the eagle eyed, matching numbers guys.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Maybe I’m the exception, but I have made money with V-8 swaps – course that was swapping 302s into 2.3l Mustangs about 25 years ago. 5.0 Mustang ‘looks’ close enough to stock to pass all but the eagle eyed, matching numbers guys.

There is more demand for 5.0 Mustangs than 5.0 Rangers though, that would make a difference.

Just about everybody wants a 5.0 Mustang, much smaller pool to sell a 5.0 Ranger too.

 

[dangerranger83]

My truck came as a 4wd from the factory. Doing everything on a budget, SAS, lift, tires, 5.0 swap, etc...I'm at 4500. That's getting the front axle and coils for free, along with having all the tools to do it plus did some trading of things too.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk

 

[danxtepisode27@gmail.com]

Also thank all of you for your help.. Much appreciated and learned a lot just from the replies! Pics will go up when and if i can get this done!

 

[RonD]

..............................

Maybe I’m the exception, but I have made money with V-8 swaps – course that was swapping 302s into 2.3l Mustangs about 25 years ago. 5.0 Mustang ‘looks’ close enough to stock to pass all but the eagle eyed, matching numbers guys.

I used to build late '60's Chevelles and Camaros into drivers, not restore, build them with newer mechanics, all options, plus options that were not available in the '60's
Always made money on those, looked stock, but better to drive.

But the reason I made money was because the models I choose had "looks" value.
A Ranger just doesn't have that, as much as we may like them, it isn't a Mustang or Camero, lol.

 

[danxtepisode27@gmail.com]

I know it was said it is not worth the effort.. But saying i was to put forth the effort.. How do you take off the coil mounts and put torsion mounts on?

 

[RonD]

I know it was said it is not worth the effort.. But saying i was to put forth the effort.. How do you take off the coil mounts and put torsion mounts on?

Have a look here:
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/index.shtml

If it can be done to a Ranger someone else has probably done it, lol
And it is posted in the tech section

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I know it was said it is not worth the effort.. But saying i was to put forth the effort.. How do you take off the coil mounts and put torsion mounts on?

Don't let anyone tell you it isn't worth the effort, it just isn't for anybody.

You gotta do it because you want a 5.0 Ranger, not for resale value.

I have absolutely no plans on reselling my Ranger so what somebody will give me for it is of no concern to me...

 

[RonD]

I know it was said it is not worth the effort.......

I don't think anyone said it is not worth the effort, but in your first post you said:
"....want to swap out my 2.3 l 2wd and put a 5.0 4wd in.. Im looking for a cheap way to swap everything......."

My point was that the cheapest way is to start closer to what you want, a cheap non-running 4x4 Ranger being the target, then a 5.0l donor vehicle.
So you are not wasting the effort, it is just not the cheap way when you start with higher value vehicle than you will end up with.

 

[danxtepisode27@gmail.com]

I did not mean to come off rude or anything when i said that.. My apologies.. And i am not worried about the resale value because if i get this done it would be a dream truck to me lol. As i am on a budget woukd there be a way to just swap the motor now keep it 2wd until i have the money to put the 4wd in? Or would that just cause more work and money in the long run?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I did not mean to come off rude or anything when i said that.. My apologies.. And i am not worried about the resale value because if i get this done it would be a dream truck to me lol. As i am on a budget woukd there be a way to just swap the motor now keep it 2wd until i have the money to put the 4wd in? Or would that just cause more work and money in the long run?

Sure, just put in a 4wd trans and t-case with a fixed yoke for a front output. It won't care that there isn't a driveshaft going to the front.

Do a SAS for the front axle when you can and you are in business.

 

[danxtepisode27@gmail.com]

Thanks!