Been wanting to do this forever. V8 swap

[seabeeranger]

Hey guys, figured since im starting my swap id make a build thread. my desire for a v8 ranger started atleast 7 or 8 years ago, ever since i saw the lightning engine stuffed in a ranger. started with a 97 2.3L 2wd ranger. picked up a cheap mustang for 400$ not really knowing what i was getting into. ended up not really having the funds so the idea got scrapped. totalled that ranger 3 times before i finally killed it. picked up another one for 2000$. its a 94 2.3L 4wd lifted and has 32in tires on it. drove that for 5 years. bought a new 2011 F250 this past march for my DD. so the ranger gets to be my toy now. picked a 88 mustang 5.0 for 200$ but found a crack in the block. went to the u-pull, found a 5.0 out of a mountaineer. getting that ready to go. got the major parts ready to go. just got the small detail parts to work on as i go. pulling the engine out of the ranger the next few days, got the tranny and transfer case done today. the final setup im planning on is a carbed 5.0 with a c4 behind it, using the mountianeer FEAD and keeping a/c. ill get it running then next homeport swap the axles out. im keeping up with cost and parts so ill edit that in later. gonna thorw up some pics and call it a night.

my 97

totalled 97

the 94

and my new F250 6.7 diesel

and a pic of me

 

[JoshT]

That's one hell of a recliner you got there, must be the new HF (Hummer Flintstones) model.

Thanks for serving, and look forward to seeing the updates!

 

[CheapThrills]

You're a good man! And definitely looking forward to updates

 

[doorgunner]

Keep the pics coming (one of you was enough though )

 

[seabeeranger]

thx guys for the positive comments, i appreciate it. got the engine out today, pretty happy about it, tired too, still runs so hopefully ill be able to make a few bucks off it on craigslist.

 

[Beef52751]

looks sweet, i think you'll be happy when its all said and done, but you've got a long rode ahead of you!!!
Cant wait to see more progress

And your 250 is Badass!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[seabeeranger]

okay, got some progress to post.

engine mocked up in the garage, had to shave alittle of the power steering and a/c bracket so i could turn my distributor more sine the vacuum advance wanted to hit the bracket.

its in. not happy with the way its sitting, the passenger side is about a 1/2 inch closer to the radiator then the drivers side, its offset to the passenger side an inch, just didnt do a good job cutting the slots, was debating a body lift but now it looks like it will help out, so ordering that tomorrow. gonna lift it back up and see if i cant get it set where i want it. also the drain plug clears the bracket behind the clossmember.

 

[06RangerXLT]

looking good from what i can see! im guessing your gonna run an E fan?

 

[NMB2]

why did you choose to go carb instead of EFI?

 

[seabeeranger]

why did you choose to go carb instead of EFI?

i went carb mostly because i had the intake and carb off a previous mustang i had, and mississippi doesnt have emissions testing so i can get away with it for now.

looking good from what i can see! im guessing your gonna run an E fan?

not sure, right now i can fit the mechanical fan, ill use the one i got for now until i feel like i need to upgrade to a E fan.

 

[seabeeranger]

go the body lift on, used performance accessories 2 inch kit, didnt give me too much trouble for the most part except the front bumper mounting brackets, bad instructions so i just kept modifing the brackets that came in the kit little by little til i got what i liked.


before/ after

 

[seabeeranger]

update

got my heater box mod done, the radiator is the old one, just in there so i have something to go off of. finding a new one is next on my list. got started on the wiring this past weekend. tilts back a little since i just have the trans held up by a jackstand.