New to this, but old to my truck.

[Bobby'sFFRanger]

Bought new by my father, my 1994 Ranger 4.0 ohv 2WD 5-spd spent 100k miles with him, another 100k with his dad (my grandfather), around 90k with me (my first car in high school), and after I got deployed, another 90k with my mom's dad (my other grandfather) until his passing.

Both grandfathers have died, both Navy like myself, and ill stick with this little truck until I'm gone myself. At 388k miles, I'm heavy into the Ranger over the last year or so and it's literally 90% new. Original motor, trans and paint, otherwise the truck is perfect.
But the bottom end is finally failing. Considering how I treated it in my first round with it I cant believe how far it got, but swapping the motor for a 5.0L from an Explorer + an M50D-R2 seems like the thing to do...

I'm very appreciative of everyone's patience as I learn how the forum stuff works, and everyone's wisdom as I undertake a big DIY motor/trans swap. Until now, brakes and oil changes were about as good as I ever got. This should be interesting.

 

[RonD]

Thank you for your service and your family's service

Bookmark this page: https://www.therangerstation.com/tech/

Tech section

Go to engines section and scroll down to V8 swaps, loads of good "been there done that" articles

1994 cluster does need a speedometer cable and Ford dropped the gear drive speedo in 1995-1997 on most transmissions
But the good news is that the output shafts on the 2WD manuals still have the place machined for a DRIVE gear
The tail shaft housing's hole is filled in but there, and the hold down bolt hole needs to be drilled and tapped
And your 1994 trans speedo unit has both speedo cable connection and VSS 2 wire plug in which will work on M5R2 and with V8 computer and your 1994 cruise if so equipped

1994 cluster electrics just need a signal from V8 temp sender and V8 oil pressure sender, so just 2 wires
Tach if you have one, comes from V8 computer, it may need a converter

Volt gauge and fuel gauge will work as is, no changes needed

 

[Bobby'sFFRanger]

This is great info; seems to be relatively simple, though would be curious about where to find tach converter...

Also, any suggestions on where to get Ex's PCM re-flashed for transmission change? Also, will Ex's OBD2 harness simply plug into the Ranger? Or are new connectors required?

And other than hole size on bellhousing and small adjustments throughout, any particular fabricating needed for this swap? That is where my common sense and patience wont help my lack of skillset...

 

[RonD]

You do not NEED to use an Explorer V8 for a 1994 Ranger swap
It is better if you have a 1995-2003 Ranger but when you are doing 1994 and earlier you are making it more work than needed, in my opinion

You can use an earlier model 302/5.0l with manual trans and OBD1 computer, usually more of those around as well, lol
Also one with the short water pump and accessories, they came in both versions, long nose and short nose
The 302/5.0l are only 19" wide so fit between heater box and steering shaft in Ranger engine bay, which is why this engine is popular to use

You may need a V8 explorer upper and lower intake, earlier V8s had a taller intake that doesn't fit under Ranger hood, but must have the return fuel type rail
The Mustang V8s were lower but engine also sits pretty low in the engine bay
This one I can't say for sure

Computer will already be setup for manual trans

It will have speedometer cable hook up

These earlier models also had the Return Fuel system, like your 1994

And same EVAP system

Engine mounts, trans mounts are the same for any 302/5.0l

The earlier M5R2 for the 302 have the shifter about 3" farther forward, so it will hit the Ranger dash in 1st, 3rd and 5th, but you can heat the shift arm and bend it
OR
You can still use the M5R2 from a 1997-2003 4.2l which has the shifter in the same spot as a Rangers M5R1

Just suggesting, not meaning to confuse things because it looks like you have done your homework on the V8 swap

Either will get you a fuel injected V8 manual trans in your Ranger

 

[Bobby'sFFRanger]

This is exactly what I've been looking for! I keep hearing about '96-'97 Ex swapped to '95+, or '99+ to '99+ w/ PATS and OBD2...

But I haven't found a thread regarding a '94 Ranger manual 2WD getting an Explorers V8 and M50D-R2. I was under the impression my ODB1 system allowed for more ease.

If not the Explorer, which vehicle do you suggest? '95 F150? Mustang? Is there not engine mount issues in addition to different bolt ons, and can I swap as many of my working accessories with this older engine?

Or did you just mean in order to bring ease to the computer hookups, OBD1 to OBD1 is easier?

 

[Bobby'sFFRanger]

Man, if buying a '94 5.0 from a Mustang/F150 is easier, that's great. I just thought the Explorer-to-Ranger would work best, as they're so closely related.

 

[RonD]

For 1995-2003 Rangers with OBD2 they are "the best", very similar wiring, buy the whole V8 Explorer and you get most of the parts, except they were all automatics

1994 and earlier were not the same wiring

 

[Bobby'sFFRanger]

So could I simply find a '94 Mustang GT w/ T5 and swap out the whole drivetrain?

I know the shifter placement is off, but is that my only limitation?

 

[RonD]

Yes, in the case of the T5 the shifter is farther back than the current M5R1 but workable
But remember short nose 302

Short nose water pump: https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-1q7.../302-WP-CW-SHORTY-1__32124.1552664898.jpg?c=2

Long nose water pump: https://www.topstreetperformance.co...0bd57df35c8f0b122d8aea/h/c/hc8054-2_1-600.jpg

Very easy to spot the difference

Need computer and full engine bay engine wiring harness

 

[Bobby'sFFRanger]

Explorer SN95 will be slightly shorter than ‘94-‘95 Mustang, correct?

Would you source an Explorer motor for easy fit, deal with non-matching wiring?
Or would you source Mustang OBD1 and deal with larger front dress? If you were me with my 2WD manual ‘94, I mean…

 

[Bobby'sFFRanger]

You may have already answered this, but I’ll just trust ya and buy what you tell me here.

 

[RonD]

Here is what you have
1994 Ranger with 60-wire EEC-IV computer, OBD1 is a communications protocol but thats what the 60-wire computers used
You have a return fuel system that runs at 35psi pressure
A separate spark system
EVAP system thats simple
A speedometer cable


In 1995/6 Ford changed to the 104-wire EEC-V computers, with OBD2
Changed to electric speedometers, but transmissions up thru 1997 may still have the gear drive for a cable
In 1998 Ford change to Returnless fuel system that ran 60psi pressure, no more speedo gear drives
Spark system is run by computer
EVAP system that needs sensors
Need a 3rd O2 sensor after Cat converters
In 1998/99 Most Fords also got PATS, passive anti-theft system, so need one of the factory keys that came with that computer and PATS module, the key, the computer and PATS module are a Matched set

Now a 1996/97 Explorer V8, engine only, would be good, it has the 35psi fuel system on the intake and the better heads I believe, also short nose

The 1989-1994 Mustang or F-series(2WD), with 302 and manual trans would give you engine/trans and computer with wiring
They will have distributors

 

[Bobby'sFFRanger]

Fair enough; sounds like I should grab an older OBD1 motor/donor vehicle. If needed, I could swap Explorer's shorter front dress assembly for more room (though I think it's less than an inch difference, do you think this is important?).

Everyone talks about using the M50D-R2 from a newer (97+) F150; would an older trucks manual work as well? Or would shifter placement be the only issue? Also, what's the complication in melding another Ford's OBD1 engine harness to my existing cab harness? Or is it plug and play?

 

[Bobby'sFFRanger]

Also, having an issue finding a decent mileage Mustang that will work, and prefer the HO motor.

Can I just buy a 94-95 Mustang motor, a 97 M5ODR2 (plus older F150 clutch/flywheel/starter), and source either a used Mustang harness or a Ron Francis kit?

This may cost me less than what guys want for clean Mustangs right now... especially manuals.