Big Block Dodge

[Inakamono_Racing]

I traded a honda civic for a 440 big block with 727 and have a 8.8 out 95 ford f150 with plans to make a hot like truck have pics before I start removing but the plans is making a drag truck but I'll keep updating here but lmk what ya think

 

[rusty ol ranger]

A 440 in a ranger? Keep us informed

 

[Curious Hound]

Yeah. This should be interesting.

 

[fixizin]

For TRACTION purposes, ya might want to mount the 440 in the BED! ... and/or do an AWD drivetrain... otherwise tire-smoke city?

PS: is that a "regular" Ranger pickup, or a Sport-Trac, er whut?

 

[Inakamono_Racing]

98 regular cab ranger and I plan on doing a weight ballast in the rear over the axle and wider tires

 

[Shran]

I had a 440 in a '73 Dodge motorhome. Loved that engine! I totally support your swap idea.

That F150 axle is not really ideal for your purposes. I'd either run an Explorer 8.8 - basically the same thing, just a few inches more narrow. Or anything that doesn't have C clips... a narrowed 9" or an 8" would be good.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I would think about putting big rad as far back as feasible behind cab and use electric fans and pump. Orientation doesn't really matter. Could be under box...
Put fuel cell behind axle.
Aluminum bumpers.
Remove window regulators and use snap in plastic windows.
Set engine back by redoing firewall.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I had a 440 in a '73 Dodge motorhome. Loved that engine! I totally support your swap idea.

That F150 axle is not really ideal for your purposes. I'd either run an Explorer 8.8 - basically the same thing, just a few inches more narrow. Or anything that doesn't have C clips... a narrowed 9" or an 8" would be good.

Would an 8.8 take a 440??

 

[Shran]

Would an 8.8 take a 440??

A 31 spline 8.8 is about on par with a Dana 44/maybe a Dana 50. Maybe about equal to a rear Dana 60 from a car application - ring gear on that is bigger but the axle shafts can be about the same size. It's probably one of the strongest small & lightweight axles that you can get in stock form at a junkyard. It will of course be significantly less strong than say a full float 14 bolt/Sterling/D60/70 etc but those are huge & very heavy.

IMO it would be no problem at all.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

A 31 spline 8.8 is about on par with a Dana 44/maybe a Dana 50. Maybe about equal to a rear Dana 60 from a car application - ring gear on that is bigger but the axle shafts can be about the same size. It's probably one of the strongest small & lightweight axles that you can get in stock form at a junkyard. It will of course be significantly less strong than say a full float 14 bolt/Sterling/D60/70 etc but those are huge & very heavy.

IMO it would be no problem at all.

Didnt realize they were that stout

 

[19Walt93]

I agree that an 8.8 built with good parts should hold up unless you put slicks on it and run a spool. But it's not as rugged as a Dana 60, nor as heavy and mean to work on. I prefer a 9 inch for ease of working on it but they're also heavier than 8.8's.

 

[Inakamono_Racing]

I had a 440 in a '73 Dodge motorhome. Loved that engine! I totally support your swap idea.

That F150 axle is not really ideal for your purposes. I'd either run an Explorer 8.8 - basically the same thing, just a few inches more narrow. Or anything that doesn't have C clips... a narrowed 9" or an 8" would be good.

The plan is running and driving [not full tilt] on the 8.8 I have then running a 8.8 that's stock disc brake over drum or swaping it over and use the 2in on both sides to my advantage of track width not putting full tilt on the motor till lsd and c clip removed and bracing the axle in prep for when I build the motor but that's so far down the list that I'm more worried about driving over power

 

[Inakamono_Racing]

I would think about putting big rad as far back as feasible behind cab and use electric fans and pump. Orientation doesn't really matter. Could be under box...
Put fuel cell behind axle.
Aluminum bumpers.
Remove window regulators and use snap in plastic windows.
Set engine back by redoing firewall.

The plan is a rad pushing into the core support do to plans for a tube frame and fuel cell has to go behind the cab just case I go 4 link staying stock front and tube roll pan in the rear [probably filled with weight ] still wanting the rear box usable for now till I get another small truck to drive to places when my f150 is down and I'm trying not to push the firewall back unless needed the cab and motor will be strictly only things needed for it to be street legal in the summer till I get more of the small things that idk if it will fit figured out

 

[Inakamono_Racing]

I agree that an 8.8 built with good parts should hold up unless you put slicks on it and run a spool. But it's not as rugged as a Dana 60, nor as heavy and mean to work on. I prefer a 9 inch for ease of working on it but they're also heavier than 8.8's.

I would take a 9 if I could find one for cheap like less 300 because 300 I'll have the 8.8 setup the way I want

 

[Inakamono_Racing]

Also to add anyone that needs parts for a 3.0 ranger lmk I'll tell you when I remove it Middle Tennessee Area