5.0l in a 88 ranger

[reimic39]

Ok If I have a explorer with a 5.0l in it what do I need to do to put it in me 88 ranger 4X4. I also want to put a Manual trans behind it and a 9 inch rear what would also make a good front differential and what could I get it out of. I have know problem Building and fabricating things but I am having a hard time finding straight forward info on what is needed to do this swap.

 

[HoleshotKFX400]

Are you going to keep the fuel injection? If I was you I would go with a t-5 transmission, found in fox body mustangs & others but you have to change stuff. For the rear you'd want to get that 9" from a early bronco because of the narrow width will almost match your ranger's. For the front dif i dont know, im a 2wd guy. And what you could get out of it, i assume you mean horsepower, and the just depends on how much money you have to spend. As for the motor part, you'll need a new rad or take the one from the exploder... you'll have to mod the explorer mounts to fit or buy new ones. If you have specific questions i could answer them, but theres lots of stuff your going to need

 

[reimic39]

Thanks and I meant what could I get the front Diff out of sorry I wasn't clearer on that I am planing on building a 2 wheel driver ranger in a couple of years but for now I need a tow vehicle and the ranger inst enough power stock to tow my new trailer ( I auto Cross and have a track car that needs to be towed everywhere) so I figured a mildly nodded 5.0l was perfect for me and I have an 88 ranger that I restored as a senior project so It is in nearly perfect condition.

 

[Gabe8810]

http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/car/663824070.html

like this one...

 

[HoleshotKFX400]

Well If your going to use it as a tow rig, I would want good reliability and such. Therefor I would keep the fuel injection... As for the rear instead of going with a 9" I would just go with a 8.8. The 8.8 is almost as strong as a 9" and they are more common at junkyards. You can get ones out of explorers with 31spline axles and limited slip if you search. I got mine with 3:73's and l/s for $45 bucks. They are about the same width as your stock ranger axle... little wider, and almost a direct bolt in. You'll have to move the spring perches to the top, and weld on new shock mounts. As for your driveshaft you might have to get that lengthed or shortened but you probably wont know that untill you have the axel motor and trans in. I had to shorten mine a 1 1/4, but that was with a c4. I guess it all depends on how far you mount your motor back. Some guys can still run a mechanical fan off the motor but i didnt have enough room for that. So I had to mount my electric fan on the front of the radiator. As for the front axle I think it should hold up to a mild 302. My girlfriend has a 2000 exploder with a 5.0 and that thing has gobs of torque so it should make for a good tow rig. You will have to grind the rivits off your stock tranny crossmember where it bolts to the frame and move it to where it needs to go, then just drill 3 new holes and bolt it up... i had to move mine about 3 inches forward but this is pretty much different for every truck. If you dont have a body lift on your truck you will have to fold over the lip where the firewall meets the trans tunnel and bash the trans tunnel in like right besides the gas pedel. I would HIGHLY recommend doing this before trying to put the trans or motor in. I didnt do it, got my tranny half in... and next it was stuck... ending up cutting out half the trans tunnel to get it free If you need any pics of anything pm me

 

[89DangerRanger]

i have know problem fabricating, i have know grammar either

 

[reimic39]

Thanks sorry it took me so long to get back to you Umm I have a 8.8 inch rear I got out of an 01 Explorer with a Posi and rear disk but it looks like I might have to run bigger rims with this axial ( have 15 inch outlaw 2s on now) like at least 16 inchers or something I have a 9 inch too that I had collected for my drag truck but the would of 4X4 trucks is new to me and I need help deciding what will work best I was also looking at a 3inch James Duff suspension Lift any feelings on this I couldn't find any info in the tech library.

 

[wade]

I am having a hard time finding straight forward info on what is needed to do this swap.

Go to the Technical Library and start reading. Pretty straight forward.
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/V8Conversions.html
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/AAInstructions.html