ZeroHour
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2018
- Messages
- 55
- City
- Fort Worth, TX
- Vehicle Year
- 86
- Engine
- 2.9 V6
- Transmission
- Manual
Forgot how to add a jpg? The suspense 

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As far as SLA Rangers go, it's worth reading some threads about the idea of a 351 swap over at Explorer Forums. Several members there have looked into it over the years, and it's a pretty impressive list of hurdles that have to be dealt with to make it happen. Nothing impossible, but enough that I'm not aware of anybody bothering when the 302 just goes right in. It's partially fitment, partially dealing with the flywheel balance and the FEAD system and crank pickup, etc. Just a bunch of individual things to work through.
I would have been all over that. If it were available in 4WD.![]()
The Ford Ranger SVT V-8 Prototype Was a Smoke Machine With a Bed
Lots of power, little traction ... but we loved it anyways.www.motortrend.com
They made a prototype v8 ranger, not sure which ford team did it "svt?". But it was a one of a kind no where close to production.
Yes, the Lightning Bolt, made by SVT, with a AHEM, Lightning motor, blower and drivetrain in it. I wish they'd have made it, but they said it was TOO BRUTAL for the average citizen. LMAO!!
I have a Car & Driver rag from back in 2003, which has a short article on it. Even they said it was one brutal truck to drive. The early Lightnings, from 99 - 02, had 360 hp. 2003 and 2004 were 380 hp. Imagine that in a short wheelbase lightweight truck like the Ranger. Makes me want one so bad! It would probably be as bad as the Pinto my brother had in the early 80s, with a 289 four barrel under the hood. That thing was downright crazy.
True. But frame stiffness and suspension tuning have improved quite a bit since then, haven't they?
I think the SVT Ranger was Fords answer to the GM Syclone and Typhoon... They were just late to the party.