94 Ranger 5.0 Questions

[NC Fire Ranger]

Ok, I've been wanting more power from my truck for a while now but haven't had the financial means to do much. I'm now in much better shape, good enough to start gathering parts so here's some questions. First It's a 94 ex cab 4x4 with the 4.0, 5 speed, and push button transfer case. What I'm looking to do is get the entire drivetrain from an F-150 and swap it all in. 5.0, M5R2, and 1356. So now the questions. How much of the wiring will interface with my current harness? Has anybody ever done this swap? And what year truck should I be on the hunt for? Also any fitment issues with the x case? Oh and how about driveshaft length, will they need to be changed or custom made? Sorry for putting so much up at once but I figured I'd just do all my asking in one post. Any answers would be much appreciated.

 

[351Mazda]

How much of the wiring will interface with my current harness?

Almost none of it. Going to have to use the f-150 harness for the motor, ranger harness for everything else

Has anybody ever done this swap?

I'm sure someone has, too much wiring for me.

And what year truck should I be on the hunt for?

Depends on how much wiring you want to deal with. I used a tranny and case from an 86 bronco and a 351 from a 84 cop car. Put a new intake and a carb on the motor. No wires. Plus the crown vic pan clears the crossmember better

Also any fitment issues with the x case?

No, but it's close to the frame rail. My motor is off to the passanger side about an inch or so to clear the steering arm, and my heater box is almost gone I had to cut so much. a 351 is a bit taller though, you should be alright with the right manifolds.

Oh and how about driveshaft length, will they need to be changed or custom made?

I made mine, it depends on how good of a welder you are. You will need the axle side of your Ranger shaft and the case side of the doner truck. They are splined the same, should fit right together.

What's wrong with your motor? I just went small block because I had a blown motor and all the parts here already. I miss my 4.0, it ran good.

 

[ChrisR1S]

How much of the wiring will interface with my current harness?

Almost none of it. Going to have to use the f-150 harness for the motor, ranger harness for everything else

Has anybody ever done this swap?

I'm sure someone has, too much wiring for me.

And what year truck should I be on the hunt for?

Depends on how much wiring you want to deal with. I used a tranny and case from an 86 bronco and a 351 from a 84 cop car. Put a new intake and a carb on the motor. No wires. Plus the crown vic pan clears the crossmember better

Also any fitment issues with the x case?

No, but it's close to the frame rail. My motor is off to the passanger side about an inch or so to clear the steering arm, and my heater box is almost gone I had to cut so much. a 351 is a bit taller though, you should be alright with the right manifolds.

Oh and how about driveshaft length, will they need to be changed or custom made?

I made mine, it depends on how good of a welder you are. You will need the axle side of your Ranger shaft and the case side of the doner truck. They are splined the same, should fit right together.

What's wrong with your motor? I just went small block because I had a blown motor and all the parts here already. I miss my 4.0, it ran good.

agreed, good points!

So im assuming you want a fuel injected setup correct? I cant help there cause im going carbed, but i can tell you if F.I. is what you want to do, get a EVTM for the ranger and donor, and a hardwood performance book. Very good info in all that are needed to get it done.

As far as the BW1356, mine isnt in the final resting spot, but mocked up there are no clearance issues, its TIGHT though! i have some pics in my build thread of how tight...

Driveshafts... Depends really on where and how you situate the motor. Its likely though that you'll have to have a set made or modded

 

[1mean02hd]

You will use none of the Ranger engine wiring. 93 and 94 Rangers have different wiring than any other year. The EFI and chassis wiring are all intertwined into one harness. So, these two years are, by far, the most difficult to integrate wiring together and have it look somewhat factory. As far as a straightforward wiring job, you may want to look into using the the underhood harness from an older truck (89-92 I believe) and using either the F150 engine harness or a Mustang harness.

 

[NC Fire Ranger]

Well I'm not completely against going carburated but I'd really rather have fuel injection if it can be done without too much extra work. I realise I'd need the engine harness. What I meant was hooking that to what's left on the truck. So does anybody know if I'll need to make motor mounts or can I use mustang or explorer mounts? Basically I want a 5.0 but keep 4x4 and the manual. If anybody has another combination of parts that might fit better or be done easier I welcome other options. Just trying to figure out the best way to go about it.

 

[RangerSVT]

Your best bet is to find a mustang donor, preferably a convertible with manual, grab the motor, harness, and ECU, and motor mounts. Then grab the trans from a 97 F150 V6...you will have your instrument gauges to wire, and fuel pump relay...you shouldn't have too much to wire other than that, just use your EVTM's from both vehicles and take it one wire at a time
SVT

 

[NC Fire Ranger]

Why would it matter if it's a convertible or not? Not trying to get smart I just don't see that making a difference. The 97 F-150 V6 would have the 4.2 correct? And if I'm right that's got an updated M5R2 that supposedly fits better due to shifter location? Is it still the same x-case? I hadn't considered the newer trucks, I was mainly thinking of the older 90 models. See this is what's great about this site I'm getting ideas I hadn't even realised existed. Keep it coming people, and thank you.

 

[RangerSVT]

The reason why you want to try and find a convertible donor is due to the motor mounts being different. The vert mounts are the more desirable, as they are an inch lower than the regular mustang. I myself used 71 ford mounts, part # 2829 at autozone, $9.99 each when I bought mine and have a lifetime warranty. Yes, The trans is a better fit due to the shifter location and I believe the body is slightly smaller as well. Tcase will be either the 1356 or the 4406...both have basically the same dimensions, just have different designs, case wise and internally...
SVT

 

[NC Fire Ranger]

Wow I never would have guessed that about the mustangs. Good to know. Ok, I think after researching that is probably gonna be my plan. Mustang motor, mounts, harness, and electronics. Newer F-150 trans. Now another question, I noticed advanced adapters makes one for hooking a M5R2 to my stock 1350 x-case. would this be ok to do? I'm not hard on my truck or anything and never tow anything other than a 4 wheeler once in a while but would it hold up to a v8? If it'd be ok then I'll probably just get the adapter and keep it.

 

[ChrisR1S]

I mean you COULD get the adapter and keep the stock t-case if you wanted. But IMO, why would you want to? checked the prices of those adapters? not cheap by anyones standards. (well atleast the ones i looked at werent) you can get the t-case for a fraction of that from most yards. and you know that the full size case is made to handle the power from the V-8.

 

[NC Fire Ranger]

Very true. Just realised also that the adapter IS for the 1350. I have the 1354 so I don't even know if it would fit. And yes your right it would be cheaper just to get another one. I was hoping to get the adapter and keep it in the stock location and mounts. Not modify or make anything I don't have to. I like bolt in stuff, that way if I ever need or decide to change any of it' I'm still working with a (mostly at least) stock truck.

 

[RangerSVT]

RBV tcases will hold up to stock to mild V8 use, I've seen the cases hold up to V8 and be used in a doubler setup, these cases are pretty stout. the 1350 and 1354 share the same bolt patterns and dimensions, the difference is in the front output, the 54 uses a fixed yoke, while the 50 uses a slip yoke, the 54 rear output flange uses the larger u joints...And yeah, the adapters aren't cheap, they are floating somewhere around $500-750, and one TRS member that used the adapter said that there adapters are only 5 and 9 inch long adapters, and he needed a 7 inch adapter, so he ended up having to have custom shafts...Your "bolt in" options?? Use the 4404 tcase, the AWD case from the V8 explorer, downside to this case is no low range, no 2WD selectability at the case, will need to unlock hubs for 2WD, good points is its the lightest case of all choices, no mods needed and compact; use an NP205, advantages stupid strong, are bolt in, low range available, can be setup for twin sticks, all gear tcase no chains inside, somewhat plentiful, downsides are its all iron so its heavy, its a desired tcase so it may not be the cheapest case depending on your resources; Ford Dana 20, advantages are stupid strong, bolt in, small size, all gear case, twin stick available, super small compact design, not too expensive case and very reliable, downsides are you don't have one, they did come in jeeps (passenger drop) so make sure you get the ford driver drop case came in early broncos, popular case so finding one depends on your resources, it is an iron case so its not the lightest, but is desirable. I myself am going with a D20, but until I locate one I probably will run the 4404, only cause I have one already, I also have two 1356's...
SVT

 

[NC Fire Ranger]

I had thought about the explorer setup but I really like being able to shift from 2 to 4 wheel drive. I need to try and keep some at least reasonable gas mileage cause this will still be my main daily driver, so awd is out. I like the ford dana 20 but I'm afraid that might be hard to get ahold of around here. Trs fab is selling the adapter for the stock case for $400. They say they're 4 inches long. If I can figure out the lengths I think I'm still leaning towards that option.

 

[psycotic stranger]

Well now i guess i stumbled in to the right place lol I totally did away with the 94 wiring harness in my ranger and installed the mountianeer harness that i got from the truck i robbed the engine from... although im not doing the 4 wheel drive thing it has proved to be a huge project.

 

[NC Fire Ranger]

So you used the entire underhood harness? How tuff was it to swap into the ranger?