already in over my head

[wr85james]

Hey TRS,I've been a long time visitor, and finally joined up.

I was the house mechanic for my fathers 2003 ranger xlt, and I picked up a ranger of my own. That's where i got in over my head...

To start things off, my name is James. I'm born in Maryland but currently live in Arizona. I have a 1999 ford ranger that I have had for a glorious 2 weeks before I blew my motor.

The truck was previously owned and they attempted to make it a race truck/prerunner. Truck has bed cage, roll cage, race dash, bucket seats, independant electrical systems (which I believe there is a short in), fiberglass bedsides and hood, front skid plate, 35g tank in the back. Gorgeous truck to start with. And we quickly began our love hate story.

I bought the truck 120 miles from where i live. Jump started her and drove her home with the only issue being no windshield wipers. I parked her and went inside for a beer before class. Drove her to and from class and then parked her for the night.

Next morning, go out to start her, she needs a jump. did so and i quickly found out the starter solenoid welded itself in the open position. Replaced the starter and new battery and she was good to go. Hopped in, and set off for work. 4 miles or so down the road, I'm sitting at a stop light, hear a pop and the truck dies. Oil pressure gauge says 0. I push her off and check underneath and see everything coated in oil. Time for an engine swap (because I'm not sure what else is lying in wait for me).

That's my story. Any ideas on swap? I'm thinking stock 3.0 v6 since it will be quickest and easiest. Let me know please.

-James

 

[Elutheros]

Welcome James! Well, ain't that fun. Would like to see some pics of your truck. Custom wiring harness? Hope someone made some notes for you on what they did. Good luck sorting out what to do.

 

[Javarod]

Hey TRS,I've been a long time visitor, and finally joined up.

I was the house mechanic for my fathers 2003 ranger xlt, and I picked up a ranger of my own. That's where i got in over my head...

:snip:

That's my story. Any ideas on swap? I'm thinking stock 3.0 v6 since it will be quickest and easiest. Let me know please.

-James

Well, welcome aboard. This is more a question for the tech forum, you're odds are better over there for a good answer, but i'll throw a question at you, what's the goal of the swap? It sounds like you don't want to do something weird like an electric conversion, or maybe throw a Prius drivetrain in there which limits your choices some. That said, from a 4cyl to a V8, there's a fair number of common swaps with varying degrees of difficulties. Heck, i've been wondering ifn i can throw an I6 into mine, sounds like Ford had an indestructible one up into the 80s.

 

[wr85james]

Well, welcome aboard. This is more a question for the tech forum, you're odds are better over there for a good answer, but i'll throw a question at you, what's the goal of the swap? It sounds like you don't want to do something weird like an electric conversion, or maybe throw a Prius drivetrain in there which limits your choices some. That said, from a 4cyl to a V8, there's a fair number of common swaps with varying degrees of difficulties. Heck, i've been wondering ifn i can throw an I6 into mine, sounds like Ford had an indestructible one up into the 80s.

Thanks for the welcome guys. In answer to your question, im looking at getting her running. She is my daily hah the quickest is best. My truck is currently the stock 3.0 v6 so the conversion im planning isnt really a conversion as much as a swap. A 4.0 or a 5.0 would not be a bad idea though... I do like the idea for an l6 though. Best of luck to you. But I got some TLC I need to get done before anything like that lol

 

[Javarod]

Thanks for the welcome guys. In answer to your question, im looking at getting her running. She is my daily hah the quickest is best. My truck is currently the stock 3.0 v6 so the conversion im planning isnt really a conversion as much as a swap. A 4.0 or a 5.0 would not be a bad idea though... I do like the idea for an l6 though. Best of luck to you. But I got some TLC I need to get done before anything like that lol

Thanks, its a pie in the sky idea at this time, but having bumped into the wikipedia article about the near indestructible straight six, i started thinking why not? It was used in things like the Fairmont which doesn't look like it has much bigger an engine compartment than a Ranger, so fit shouldn't be an issue, just mounts. Maybe find one from a truck with a 3spd, add an overdrive and have 6 forward and 2 reverse gears, just need to install a switch so i can switch range like on a semi.

 

[ab_slack]

I would think an inline 6 would be about the most difficult thing to stuff in just because of the required front to back space. With all cylinders inline you have a very long block there. But if there is a will there is a way and from what I seen people do on this site I would say nothing is impossible although I haven't seen anyone stick a cow catcher on their ranger...yet....

[senses some young people hitting google right now to find out what the heck a cow catcher is]

James, would you be doing this engine swap yourself or having a shop do it?

You said a stock 3.0L is in it now, so does it have stock wiring? Seems odd to make it into a race truck and keep the engine stock, especially with a 3.0L.

As you said yourself, if it is a 3.0L, it should be a direct swap and plug in. If there are some mods, a good chance you can pull them off the existing engine onto the new still keeping it simpler.

On the other hand, if your swapping and someday plan something different why put in a 3.0L to later change it? Although, since you said "over your head" maybe you are like me were just swapping an engine, even keeping the same type, seems a bit overwhelming.

Our 99 ranger with 3.0L ate itself when oil pump failed a few years ago. We had Ford swap in a new engine. Amazingly it didn't seem grossly overpriced. At least not compared to independent shop swapping a 4.6L in our explorer that had failed just a few weeks before.

 

[Javarod]

I would think an inline 6 would be about the most difficult thing to stuff in just because of the required front to back space. With all cylinders inline you have a very long block there. But if there is a will there is a way and from what I seen people do on this site I would say nothing is impossible although I haven't seen anyone stick a cow catcher on their ranger...yet....

[senses some young people hitting google right now to find out what the heck a cow catcher is]

Indeed, in fact the length is something i thought about, but as noted, they stuffed the Thriftmaster into Mustangs apparently for a couple years (according to Wiki), and more importantly into Fairmonts and the like, some of which don't appear to have a significantly bigger engine compartment than a Ranger, so.... Now about the engine mounts, that might be trickier.

Heh, the pointy thing on the front of a locomotive, but of course i'd know that being an old fart.

 

[RangerSVT]

Any engine swap is possible into anything, hell i can put a locomotive engine into a lawnmower. Practical? No, but possible. I'd do a V8 swap. The 5.0 is dead reliable and damn near bulletproof, not to mention the transmission selection is good and also reliable...

SVT

 

[wr85james]

I would think an inline 6 would be about the most difficult thing to stuff in just because of the required front to back space. With all cylinders inline you have a very long block there. But if there is a will there is a way and from what I seen people do on this site I would say nothing is impossible although I haven't seen anyone stick a cow catcher on their ranger...yet....

[senses some young people hitting google right now to find out what the heck a cow catcher is]

James, would you be doing this engine swap yourself or having a shop do it?

You said a stock 3.0L is in it now, so does it have stock wiring? Seems odd to make it into a race truck and keep the engine stock, especially with a 3.0L.

As you said yourself, if it is a 3.0L, it should be a direct swap and plug in. If there are some mods, a good chance you can pull them off the existing engine onto the new still keeping it simpler.

On the other hand, if your swapping and someday plan something different why put in a 3.0L to later change it? Although, since you said "over your head" maybe you are like me were just swapping an engine, even keeping the same type, seems a bit overwhelming.

Our 99 ranger with 3.0L ate itself when oil pump failed a few years ago. We had Ford swap in a new engine. Amazingly it didn't seem grossly overpriced. At least not compared to independent shop swapping a 4.6L in our explorer that had failed just a few weeks before.

hey guys, kinda fell off the map. trying to get work sorted out with no vehicle lol.
I did say race truck, but upon closer inspection, the "owner" before me had no clue what he was doing. The rear shock absorbers in the rear hit a cross beam he welded in the bed cage, front shocks hit the knuckle when wheels turn, exhaust is held on by a coat hangar, and others random mishaps...... The previous owner went for appearance over function.

I'm fairly sure its the stock 3.0 v6. My lack of funds have pulled me from the truck more than i would have liked. getting back into it starting tonight. I will have more info then.

The plan for the truck is to be able to handle Glamis. Nothing too crazy, just go have a god time. The 4.0 should be plenty for that. I've never swapped an engine so it does seem a little much but I do have a few mechanic friends who will be assisting me. it will be done in one of their garages too so that shouldn't be too much of a worry.

Below are some pictures of my truck. She isn't too pretty now but she will be. Lots of TLC and she will be breaking necks. you can see the dash and what i mean by custom wiring harness.

 

[RangerSVT]

The 3.0 is its own class of engine. The trans won't bolt up to any other motor, so a 4.0 swap will require a trans swap too. If you're gonna do that much, might as well do a V8. Don't let the 5.0 swap intimidate you, a V8 swap will require no more work than a 4.0 swap...

SVT

 

[wr85james]

The 3.0 is its own class of engine. The trans won't bolt up to any other motor, so a 4.0 swap will require a trans swap too. If you're gonna do that much, might as well do a V8. Don't let the 5.0 swap intimidate you, a V8 swap will require no more work than a 4.0 swap...

SVT

Well if thats the case, I might just do the 3.0 until I have money and time for a 5.0. I need a truck back on the road. Id love to have a v8 in there though.

Side question (If anyone knows): When the truck was driveable, it wouldn't get over 55mph. I wasnt redlining the engine, I was just in 5th and going. I spoke with a mechanic and he said the exhaust might be clogged. Any other ideas?

 

[RangerSVT]

Without further diagnosing, we'd just be guessing...

SVT

 

[wr85james]

Without further diagnosing, we'd just be guessing...

SVT

I figured, but it was worth a shot.
Thanks for all the help. Ill be making a project forum to keep updated with the impending swaps and get some tips.