Ford almost gave us a V8 Ranger - twice!

[Jim Oaks]

We were so close!!​

First in 1996:

Not everyone's going to like the SVT Ranger V-8. But then, Ford isn't building this truck for everyone. In fact, this one-off engineering prototype was only released to Motor Trend for this exclusive first test.

Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/ford/112_9608_ford_ranger_svt_v8/#ixzz35DC2p1Da

Also here:
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=151823

Then in 5.4L V-8 in 2002:

But John and his SVT team recently took on a different project. They looked at the potent F-150 Lightning pickup and asked themselves ''What if the Lightning had a baby brother?'' And thus was born this one-of-a-kind, snarling Sonic Blue beast called the ''Lightning Bolt''. Now, you've got to be thinking: ''What if I could drive that?'' Well, what would you do? Would you take the Lightning Bolt out for a Friday evening cruise? Its aggressive stance and custom paint would be sure to draw stares as you claim a primo spot at the local hot rod hangout. Face it, most of these guys have been seeing the same cars every Friday night for years. So anything new is worth a look, right?

Read more:
http://www.therangerstation.com/resources/Lightning.htm

Actually,

Ford played with the idea of a hot rod ranger back in 1989 with a 220HP SHO Ranger:

Read more:
http://www.therangerstation.com/resources/ford_sho_ranger.shtml

But wait!!

If you want to pretend a Sport Trac is a Ranger, then you'd be happy with a Sport Trac Adrenaline with its supercharged V8.

Read more:
http://www.therangerstation.com/resources/Sport_Trac_Adrenalin.htm

 

[adsm08]

Those bastards.

They always make us do all the work if we want to have really cool stuff.

 

[Mac]

Actually the SVO engineers did a build up in '87'. Still have a copy of article, unknown magazine. They used mostly all F-150 parts.
Dave

 

[Scott B.]

I heard (from a former Ford engineer) that the insurance companies really didn't want Ford to put a V8 in a Ranger. I don't know which one(s) or when, but apparently Ford put a lot of weight on their request.

 

[adsm08]

I reiterate, bastards.

Also, the insurance companies didn't want a V8 Mustang either, but that still happened. They happened the piss out of that one.

 

[turbo2256b]

I reember while working at Ford I aquired 3 early 6 cyl SHOs for free. I was or had been working with the head engine engineer for the Torus/ Sable line. I ask aboutt he engine. He told me about Ford putting one in a 4wd Ranger. He also told me about the first engine Ford dynoed as recived from Yamaha it would turn a bit over 9000 rpm and put out 425 HP. Had to detune them as we had no transmissins that would handle the power. Thats why the first few years only manual trans were offered. hE ALSO TOLD ME THE BEST THING TO DO WITH THE ENGINE IS PUT IT IN A RWD vehicle and think he said it would bolt up to a 3.8 pushrod bell hsg.
I lost all 3 SHOs but had thoughts about putting one in a RWD car or truck. Often had thoughts of making a rear engine car with one.

 

[ozzy85]

I was working at a Ford dealership in '96 when SVT was considering a 5.0 Ranger with an Explorer front clip. My boss was razzing me saying "when will you buy a car from us?" and I showed him an article about this truck.

"I would buy this."

Silence.