More Options than Explorer?

[Ranger850]

I'm new to The Ranger Station have driven a ranger most of my life. Currently I own a 2001 3.0 Ranger Edge. It has a rod or lifter or something rattling around. I am interested in swapping the v6 for a v8 and want to explore more options than the Explorer. Any suggestions?

 

[adsm08]

Well if you are specifically looking to do a 5.0 the Explorer is the best option. In the years it had the 5.0 option it would be more or less plug and play into your vehicle, as they have basically identical engine bays. After the 5.0, the Chevy LS engines seem to work well but are still a lot more work.

I personally have always wanted to try using a 3.8/3.9L V8 out of a Linconl LS since they are used with the 5R series transmissions.

It might help us to hep you if we understood why you are looking for options other than the Explorer. Are you looking for something other than a 5.0? Are 5.0 Explorers scarce in your area? Are you one of those people that feels there is some sort of value to doing something in a fashion other than what has pretty universally been decided is the best way to do it?

 

[Ranger850]

I am one of those guys that wants something different than everybody else, but simplicity is what I'm goin for. I was thinking a 4.6 would be pretty much the same as a 5.0. I have a Lincoln town car, but can trade and swap some things until I get the Explorer. I'm going for a sportier truck, not a 4wd mud toy.

 

[Craig0320]

Simplicity and 4.6 in a ranger do not go together. You can make anything work but plan on putting some hours into the 4.6 swap. There is some good information on the forums here doing a 4.6 swap. 5.0 with a 98+ torsion ranger is the easiest route I would say. But that is just my opinion. I have a 2000 explorer 5.0 in my 98 torsion bar 4x4 ranger.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

There have been 4.6 swaps and many of them look factory... but the factory mod motor engine bay is packed with engine.

A 2V 4.6 is comparable powerwise to a pushrod 5.0. Both are rather pathetic compared to today's power levels but they both have good aftermarket support. 4.6 is probably a better platform to build once you go so high for power since the block is much stronger but it is a massive engine to fit in a Ranger engine bay.

A 2.3 Ecoboost from a wrecked Mustang would have almost half again more power than either the pushrod 5.0 or a 2V 4.6...

 

[adsm08]

Yeah, if power is what you are after there are other ways to get it.

Stock for stock the 4.6 has a better power/weight ratio than the 5.0, but the 5.0 has better aftermarket support.

The problem with building power out of a 4.6 without a blower is that it is already an interference engine, which limits you on increasing valve lift/duration. A 5.0 can take a 500-lift cam with no problem.

As 85 said the 4.6 is a wide bugger, and a tight fit in the bigger vehicles it was in stock, but it has been done into a Ranger.

If I was looking for sporty/zippy/power and I was considering doing something as work intensive as a 4.6 I'd look into one of the new Coyote 5.0s, or an Ecoboost anything. The 2.3L would likely fit nicely and easily, as it is more or less the same block used in the later 2.3 Rangers. The intake and exhaust routing would be the worst of it. The high-pressure fuel system is self contained on the engine. Mechanical fuel pump fed 35 PSI from the tank pump is driven by the cam and steps the fuel pressure up to the 1500+ PSI needed for direct injection, so you basically just need to hook up the one line for fuel. I think wiring would be the worst part of that job.

 

[fastpakr]

It's definitely time for someone to take the 2.3EB plunge.

 

[adsm08]

It's definitely time for someone to take the 2.3EB plunge.

If I had the money and a 4-cyl Ranger from 01 or newer I'd already be working on it.

 

[Ranger850]

What about the quadcam v8 out of a Lincoln Aviator? isn't that the Cobra Motor? has anyone ever put one of those in a ranger?

 

[fastpakr]

You're still fighting the modular engine battle of weight, and I can't imagine those are easy to find. If you can lay your hands on one, the 2.3EB in a Mustang makes just as much power and torque with a lot more efficiency, smaller size, and smaller weight. I have -no- idea on transmission options there.

At the end of the day, nothing matches the drop in swapability of the Explorer 5.0. I paid $400 for my donor vehicle in running condition. Ended up way over that in machine work and parts, but it's still no more than putting in a replacement 3.0.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

At the end of the day, nothing matches the drop in swapability of the Explorer 5.0. I paid $400 for my donor vehicle in running condition. Ended up way over that in machine work and parts, but it's still no more than putting in a replacement 3.0.

And you will still get a couple hundred bucks for scrapping the leftovers and possible parting out.

If not needed the rear axle is worth $1-200 on its own.

 

[adsm08]

What about the quadcam v8 out of a Lincoln Aviator? isn't that the Cobra Motor? has anyone ever put one of those in a ranger?

Well I have seen Rangers with 7.3s in them, so yes, it is probably possible. How do you feel about huge body lifts and no inner fender liners?

Now back to reality.


Holy balls man, that engine barely fits in the Lincoln. The intake is huge and the dual cam heads are wider than my mother in law.

Yes, it is a variant of the Cobra engine. The Cobras got a dual cam Triton engine (technically making it an Intech engine) but it was a 5.8L, not a 5.4L.

If you are considering the Intech 5.4 I would still say the Coyote 5.0 is still the better choice. Dual cam, not quite as wide since the block isn't as tall, better power to weight ratio, and makes more overall power thanks to the VCT system. Also the Coyote VCT is, so far, much more reliable than the Triton VCT, which wasn't that bad if you think about it. The 3-valve Tritons were really Ford's first foray into variable cam timing, and most of them didn't start to show any issues until near 100K miles.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Was it GregR that crammed a 4v 4.6 into a Ranger? It really didn't look that bad.

There was a Mustang 3V 4.6 engine in a Ranger within the last year too. They were a much better engine than the 3V 5.4.

Holy balls man, that engine barely fits in the Lincoln. The intake is huge and the dual cam heads are wider than my mother in law.

Yes, it is a variant of the Cobra engine. The Cobras got a dual cam Triton engine (technically making it an Intech engine) but it was a 5.8L, not a 5.4L.

The late 90's early 00's Cobras had a 4V 4.6. Not much in common with the Trinity 5.8 they stuck in 13-14 GT-500's.

 

[Craig0320]

At the end of the day, nothing matches the drop in swapability of the Explorer 5.0. I paid $400 for my donor vehicle in running condition. Ended up way over that in machine work and parts, but it's still no more than putting in a replacement 3.0.[/QUOTE]

Amen on that one. I bought a wrecked 2000 with 54,000 miles on it for a 1000.00 and sold some stuff off it and replaced a few parts while it was out. I am into the entire swap right now for a 1000.00. I still have to sell my old 4.0 drivetrain.

 

[bobbywalter]

first choice if v8 was a need.


5.3 or 6.0.



second choice....wanting 300 hp....


https://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/pts/d/ford-fliter-ecoboost-engine/6449873367.html



5th choice......explorer.