ok what to do??? constructive input wanted

[flaminranger]

I am going to build up the 2.0 enough to get me by for a yr or two why I build a new engine.
now for the new engine I want something different I was thinking about a stroker 4 cyl. but I really would like more horsepower so my other option that is running through my little twisted brain is a 4.6 or 5.4 with trickflow heads and small cams with a mustang 5 speed.
I am leaning towards the 4.6 but lets hear some ideas.
This will still be my work truck so mileage better than my expedition(13 highway 11 in the city) is a must.
the truck is lower so ground clearance and handling are important. I am not roadracing it but I drive a lot of twisty roads to work.
So lets hear some constructive Ideas
thanks
Duane
FORD ENGINES ONLY

 

[adsm08]

Well almost anything you do (short of something retarded like a 460, no offense 7.5_STX) is going to produce better mileage than your Expedition just because the ranger is so light.

I think the Tritons require a body lift and chopping out parts of the inner fender wells because of the width of the apex. 5.0 and some tall rear end gears might make for a nice runner and get decent mileage, but it's been done to death.

Turbo 4-cyl maybe?

If you really want power, miles, and different and you are willing to put the time/money into it, there is an aftermarket head to make a 200 inch straight-six into a direct-inject engine. That would be powerful and not commonly done.

 

[flaminranger]

well I asked for different and you supplied it.
I don't think an inline 6 would fit.
Its too long

 

[adsm08]

The 200 fits actually. A/c can be problematic, and a single core rad is preferred, but it can work.

The 300-6 is a bit more problematic. It will fit physically, but it interferes with the rad is you run a fan.

 

[mn_smokeater]

The 200 fits actually. A/c can be problematic, and a single cor rad is preferred, but it can work.

The 300-6 is a bit more problematic. It will fit physically, but it interferes with the rad is you run a fan.

thats why ya run the rad and fan in.............the back

 

[Peregrine]

It may be sick but...

I've always wanted to throw a v8 flatty in mine... Do some body mods to round corners and eliminate some lines... adapt a newer stepside and see if I can make it look more like a ranger as it might've looked if they'd made it in the early 50s...

But then... I wake up and realize I don't have the time, money, nor skill to pull off something that radical.

Done right, I think it would be pure gold. Maybe adapt an older ford nose and maybe the front of a 2000ish dakota to really sell it. *sigh* Maybe this belongs more in that winning the lottery thread

 

[Akimbo Rangers]

Im learning how much work is actually involved with doing a 4.6 swap. they fit but you will run into major problems with brake booster and headers. (my truck is being built to race, so no heater box or blower motor) The motors has to be offset to the passanger side a smidge, move factory brake booster or switch to a hydro-boost setup, headers are a one-off thing. If your a good, patient welder you can make beautiful arts of work. but if you arent you might end up with some poopy looking hacked up pieces of pipe.

If you want a "weekend swap" i would lean towards a 5.0. much easier to fit and finish. companies make 5.0 ranger headers and the booster isnt in the way. and the heater box just needs some modification.... but will still work. It would be decently fast and would save you a lot of money.

2.3T isnt a bad idea either.

 

[flaminranger]

I have no power steering or brakes but I do need the heater.
I have a couple friends that have made headers and they said that they would help me.
what are you using for motor mounts?

 

[Hopman]

What about a 4BT Turbo Cummins?

If you want to be different, drop in a Hemi or LSX series motor. Heck, How 'bout a Turbo Subie Flat-4? If you want an I-6, would a BMW one fit? Or even a Volvo I-5?

repares to be bombarded with hate mail in 3... 2... 1... :

 

[adsm08]

A Volvo Turbo I-5 would be BAMF, but he asked for Ford engines only.

I almost tried to put a Volvo 2.4L in my truck.

 

[Hopman]

A Volvo Turbo I-5 would be BAMF, but he asked for Ford engines only.

I almost tried to put a Volvo 2.4L in my truck.

Sorry. It's been a long day. I've been up since 3 AM (EST) and missed the part about Ford Engine only.

Well, Ford DID own Volvo for quite a few years. For the sake of discussion (and to add a couple more engine options) can we let Volvo in? PLEASE?

I think a T5-powered Ranger would be wicked cool!

 

[Akimbo Rangers]

Im usung thunderbird motor mounts and making custom brackets to bolt it to the frame. some people try to rigid mount the motor but i dont want to put that much strees on just a weld. others have tried 2.3 motor mounts but i dont think they are design to hand the torque of the motor. you will also need to remote mount the oil filter. mine has the cobra oil cooler on it so it will be even tighter to the frame rail. spring buckets should also be gusseted to help them handle the weight of the engine.

like i said before, mine is being built to do some serious street and track racing so im building everything strong enough to handle the abuse.

 

[Ak_Ranger]

If I had the money to do what ever I want I would drop a 4bt Cummins in my ranger but it takes money that atm I dont have. With a 4bt cummins you would have alot of power and great gas milage, ya I know its not a ford engine but you said you wanted diffrent

 

[flaminranger]

yeah I know ford engines only... I bleed ford blue what can I say!!
I have a friend who has a 406 fe big block and he wants to see if it will fit so who knows?

 

[hoosier1104]

Im learning how much work is actually involved with doing a 4.6 swap. they fit but you will run into major problems with brake booster and headers. (my truck is being built to race, so no heater box or blower motor) The motors has to be offset to the passanger side a smidge, move factory brake booster or switch to a hydro-boost setup, headers are a one-off thing. If your a good, patient welder you can make beautiful arts of work. but if you arent you might end up with some poopy looking hacked up pieces of pipe.

If you want a "weekend swap" i would lean towards a 5.0. much easier to fit and finish. companies make 5.0 ranger headers and the booster isnt in the way. and the heater box just needs some modification.... but will still work. It would be decently fast and would save you a lot of money.

2.3T isnt a bad idea either.

Sounds like someone has been watching the Rolling Thunder episodes of Trucks!.