Anticipating purchasing my first Ranger.

[EarthenVessel82]

Greetings from East Texas...

I'm going next week to look at a nice looking '91 Ranger, 2.3L I4. Used to be someone's farm truck, and this guy has been using it as a daily driver until he could buy something bigger.

My plan is to build an overlanding/camping/kayak carrier out of it, as well as use it as a daily driver.
This forum has already been a valuable resource so I'm thankful for that.

I'd like to give it a 2 to 3 inch suspension lift, nothing too crazy and do an engine swap to either the 4.0L V6 or the 302 V8.
From what I understand they should both drop in with little effort but I'll have to change the engine mounts due to the increased weight of the engines. Also if I get a Explorer transmission I have to bend the shifter backward, and if I get a Mustang transmission I have to bend it forward? Either way I want the MD something something trasmission.

LOL, I need to go back and read more closely, and probably take notes.

At any rate, I'm thankful to be here, I'll be sure to start a build thread.

 

[Blmpkn]

Welcome! I hope the truck ends up being good enough to bring home.

 

[Curious Hound]

Welcome to TRS! Looking forward to your build. Research, research, research. There are lots of build threads, engine swap threads and tech articles on this website to get you through the project. And we’re all here to answer questions as best we can.

 

[Josh B]

Awesome EV82, welcome to TRS and good luck with it all

 

[rusty ol ranger]

The 302 will be basically as much work as a 4.0. Might as well go whole hog.

Its not the weight...the 4.0 or 302 both use different mounts then the 2.3...they wont even bolt up. Trans is different, wireing is different. Lots of info on doing either swap around.

Welcome to TRS

 

[StephenF]

Your swap should be easier then what I am planning on. I am pretty sure you can get a kit for the 302 and the 4.0 should have regular parts available. Biggest thing on the 4.0 is making sure the mount locations on the block are in the right spot for your Ranger.

 

[Josh B]

When you go to buy a vehicle you need to know what you are looking for and what you are looking at, in addition to having hard cash in your pocket
Anything less on either count can leave you in a very bad way :/