87 ranger 2.0 to 5.0

[Goldmachine]

so my ranger i picked up for 200 bucks is a 2.0 5 speed, manual brakes and manual steering. i'm thinking of putting a 90's 302 and a m5od 5 speed from a f150 into it this summer just for some fun. my questions are, what would be needed for the clutch system, motor mounts, headers, driveshaft, alternator, radiator and any wiring?

i would change the engine from efi to carb and get rid of its emission stuff and swap in a 8.8 if the 7.5 does not survive.

 

[Elutheros]

Good place to find answers is here: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/index.shtml

The V8 forum also has lots of information--just have to dig for it. Basically the F150 clutch will work just fine with the M5ODR2--finding the correct clutch master cylinder from a 1994? explorer helps a lot. I see no advantage in using a carb setup. The EFI is reliable and more tolerant of other changes like cams and heads if you mod it to use MAF.

 

[adsm08]

I see no advantage in using a carb setup. The EFI is reliable and more tolerant of other changes like cams and heads if you mod it to use MAF.

Generally I agree with this, however in the case of the OP it would be easier to go carb because that's what he already has. The 2.0 Rangers were always carbed, so that is how his truck is already set up.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

And he would have to reinvent the wheel on the EFI intake because a F-150 intake will not fit under the hood.

I have a 1403 Edelbrock 4BBL on mine. It runs great, I love it. I did have to tune it down some for my HO though.

The M5OD from a 97-98 F-150 with a 4.2 V6 fits better than the earlier ones, the shifter is a similar location compared to a factory Ranger trans and has a output for a speedometer.

I would use the V6 mounts with plates. I have the Mustang mounts in mine and am not overly thrilled with how they sit.

The Explorer front accessories are the most compact Ford put out and are very nice performing.

We have a sticky on headers you might want to check out, I would probably go with tri-y headers. The ones I used will not work without a body lift.

If you don't want A/C either get a swap radiator or size the biggest generic one that fits up inside the radiator support.

 

[Goldmachine]

It all seems pretty simple besides the clutch, headers and motor mounts. I did read on here some where about using v6 motor mounts with the explorer block mounts. And as far as the accessory drive all I would have is a alternator.

Would a 4.0 ranger radiator be good enough for a stock 302?

 

[adsm08]

And as far as the accessory drive all I would have is a alternator.

Not going to run a water pump?

 

[Goldmachine]

Not going to run a water pump?

haha yes. water pump and alternator. no power steering or a/c

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I have a 4.0 Explorer radiator in mine and it works so far. It is the HD two row for the 4dr automatic with A/C Explorers.

If you can get it up into the radiator support you gain a lot of room for fans, which even with the Explorer belt system you are going to be fairly tight on.

I have the Ex radiator sitting on the stock mounts because I intend to put A/C in the truck and only have room for a low profile flex fan. Driving around it does fine but if it sits very long the pusher efan kicks on.

So I gotta redo my fan situation because the pusher occupies the same space the condenser will.

 

[Goldmachine]

The good thing about mine if i was to swap it im not going to have air conditioning. So i wont have to worry about all of that. And id like to use a oem radiator if possible to make finding parts easier. Also id want to make the total cost of everything as cheap as i can since the whole truck was only 200 dollars.

 

[Mac]

.

The M5OD from a 97-98 F-150 with a 4.2 V6 fits better than the earlier ones, the shifter is a similar location compared to a factory Ranger trans and has a output for a speedometer.
We have a sticky on headers you might want to check out, I would probably go with tri-y headers.

How's the fit with tri-y's and the 164T bell housing? Always heard interference problems.
Dave

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

How's the fit with tri-y's and the 164T bell housing? Always heard interference problems.
Dave

I have heard it isn't too bad to make them fit, never done it.

I have pics of a set I had relative to a 164t separator plate in the header sticky.