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And given that you say you're using the stock transmission, then that in itself tells me you're going to be doing it all over again as soon as the motor grenades the stock transmission. And yes, that WILL happen. I stuck the engine/transmission in minus the FEAD,moved it as far back as it would go and still have 1" clearance or so between the drivers head and firewall (good luck with your method when you go to install the heads) centered it between the fenders, levleled it, marked the crossmember where the mount studs touched, lifted the motor out, cut the mount slots then set it back into place and bolted it all together. No fighting with anything here, other than the normal bugs to work out of any swap.
Most swaps done here involve replacing the weak sister transmissions that the vast majority of these trucks come with. I'm completely familiar with the C-4/5, but in stock form, it's still not likely to last behind a fresh V8, so in the end, you're still looking at pulling it sooner or later, more likely sooner, I have had that much experience with C-4's to know that even the stock V8 version isn't a strong transmission to begin with.There are variances in V8 bells, a V8 C5 bell is a tad over an inch deeper than a C4 bell. This will effect engine placement. Mine was already set up for a V8 when I got it so I don't know how it compares in depth to the V6 bellhousing.
Nice little 'tude you have there
Actually back when I did my swap, I too used a C-5 and the driveshaft ended up the perfect length with the deeper bell. But the freshly rebuilt C-5 lasted exactly ten miles. 
After that little fiasco, I went with a 38 year old Toploader 4 speed.
Everyone's good at something, or more knowledgable at some particular thing. Like you, I've been around the block a few times (30-something years) with classic Stangs (had a 67 BB FB Stang with both the 390 it came with and later a side oiler 427 back in the 80's) And had V8 experiences with my 89 Ranger for ten years til I sold it a few months ago.(4 different motors in that time, three different sets of headers, three different transmissions, 2 drivelines, three rearends) And many here are likewise experienced, but most don't go around assuming we're somehow above someone else here, we're all in the same V8 boat. Good Luck with your swap, but get ready to pull that C-5 in the future that's going to be an interesting experience in itself with the larger bellhousing in a Ranger. I know, Been There- Done That.For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.
