needing advice

[greenecowboy]

I have a 96 ranger originally had 4cyl w/5 speed manual. Well motor went bad and i have 2 good v8's. I have a '85 351W and '88 302. its gonna be my daily and weekend play toy. im looking to keep the truck a manual if possible. i would appreciate any advice or suggestions. this would be my first ford v8 swap and i looking for advice

 

[baddad457]

Start with the "stickie" threads up at the top of the V8 forum page. Read, read, and read more. You're the one that has to live with the swap choices you make. If you're not willing to do the research, then forget doing a swap. All that aside, the 88 302 is the better choice. The 351 will fit, but header choices are limited.

 

[greenecowboy]

thanks. i have done a v8 swap in a s10 but i really dont know what works in rangers the best

 

[baddad457]

It depends on how you want to do it. In a 96, one of the most straight forward is starting with a V8 Explorer/Mountaineer as a donor. If you want to go carbed and bare bones, you can use just about anything.

 

[greenecowboy]

may i ask what manual trans you would recomend? i looking for suggestions.

 

[baddad457]

I used a Toploader 4 speed in mine. Others have used T-5's, Tremecs, and Ford's M5ODR-2 (this is a Mazda transmission made for Ford) The M5ODR-2 has two versions, one was used behind V8's in the 90's in Pickups, the other was used behind the 3.8/4.2 in the 97-up F series, this one has the shifter farther back than the V8 version (both have the same bell pattern) that closely matches the hole in the Ranger floor.

 

[greenecowboy]

thanks for the suggestions. i will keep all these in mind