nice ranger. sell or 351??

[jrc5049]

have a 99 ranger that i just spun a bearing in. had the 3.0 w a 5-speed.....
i also have a 89 f-250 with a 5.8 with a 5 speed tranny... should i do the swap? is the 5.8 going to hit the heater box or steering linkage... Help!

 

[Mac]

Not sure about the clearance with the 5.8, normally with the 5.0 in the later models, it's not a problem. Best look up in the Tech library under the Explorer swap section. You're probably going to want to run the Explorer computer and wiring and front dress for the ease of it. Headers might be a problem with the 5.8. The Explorer 5.0 is a better swap overall.
Dave

 

[AgPete139]

The Explorer 5.0 is a better swap overall.
Dave

Why are you saying the is better overall? Are you referring to ready-made motor mounts parts, parts/clearance issues w/ or w/o body lift, computer interchangeability, or performance? Or do you just mean that it is more common? "Recommended" does not mean "better swap overall."

JRC, have you skimmed through this yet?
http://therangerstation.com/tech_library/V8Conversions.html

 

[Mac]

I guess I meant overall for the fit and interchange with the computer it being a OBII system. Body lift has nothing to do with it. People have have a hard time finding a good header for the early Ranger with the 351's, find one for the later ones is going to be a custom one. Performance, there are guys running the Explorer motor into the 12's.
Things have just changed so much from the pre '98' models to what is being swaped now.

 

[93Ranger4x4]

He's sayin its better overall because many people have done it, and there are many articles explaining how people have done their 5.0 swap, hence if he has a problem during the swap, people here can assist him in trouble shooting.

 

[jrc5049]

so i could make the 5.8 fit then?

 

[Mac]

I believe you could fit it in there, been done on the early Rangers. But like I mentioned, what are your going to do for headers? None of the stock manifolds or Mustang headers will work with the later Rangers. Best do a little bit more of checking on the swap.
Dave

 

[chvlfrk]

There's a guy around here that builds CUSTOM headers, once the motors & trans is in, take it to him, in bout 2 weeks he'll call ya to come get it, they are bare and run $550. My boss had a set built for his 406 Mustang Coupe and they look SWEET!.......after he painted em of course

I'm gonna have to hit this guy up when I drop the RAT in, ain't no ready-made headers for that swap!!!!!

 

[jrc5049]

also that 89 is fuel injected... it would probably be hard trying to splice the two systems together? might just be better off to carb it?

 

[AgPete139]

JRC, you can run the 5.8 is you wish. It will still fit, but more modification will be required to massage parts in (at least you are not doing a 4.6 swap). My dream is to eventually TT a 351W, but that's when a bigger garage and additional funds and time allow.

As far as wiring/OBD2/carbed systems, I like the reliability of FI. Plus, on the other SBC and supras swaps we do at our shop, most of them end up turbo-ed anyway. Call Painless (or Jegs or Summit) and get a wiring kit. It saves a lot of hassle if you cannot find the wiring, relays, or a labeled fuse box.

Sidenote: People splice systems together all the time. Look around and find a wiring diagram for each vehicle and reference that.

The 2nd generation rangers have more hood play room than 4th generation rangers. Ask the other guys in the V8 Group what headers will work.

Please read the other threads in the TRS V8 conversion forum and see what they have done. Topics like this have been covered.

http://therangerstation.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=11

Pete

 

[Mac]

AgPete,
Couldn't he just use the Explorer harness and computer with the 5.8? There used to be Cobra style lower intakes for that motor. Going without a computer in that year truck is going to cause problems. Seems like something new is always popping up now.
Dave

 

[red93terror]

wait, how the hell did you kill a 3.0??

 

[jrc5049]

i was selling and a kid was coming to look at it so i changed the damn oil and i was just reving it up alittle and it sputtered made some noise and stalled. real hard turning over and will NOT start! pulled oil filter off and i was bone dry, gulded a bearing somewhere my guess.. anyways back to my v8 questions, do you guys think the fule injection system on this 89 is any better than a carb tho????

 

[88mudder]

If you feel you have enough knowledge to make it FI then go for it. Carb is alot simpler to hookup, great starting point. FI can always be converted later on. My carb runs as smooth as a FI system on my 5.0 and gas mileage is decent for it being a 4bbl.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

A good running 4bbl would do just as well as a EFI setup.

Use an Edelbrock though, the holleys require constant tuning and seem to have more troubles.

later,
Dustin