Planning a V8 swap in 93 ranger

[jklolkik]

I know it has been covered and all but im still not really making sense of it. I have a lowered 93 ranger 4.0 v6 with the m5odr1 and an explorer 8.8. I am wanting to stick with a manual and EFI.

Its going to be just a street driven truck with some drifting after other mods. I would also like to make power down the road.

What donor vehicles would be ideal?
96-01 explorer for engine or would a f150 be better to pull everything from

 

[RonD]

1996/7 Explorer is best, no anti-theft(PATS) to deal with, but not a big deal

Explorer has a shorter intake manifold that fits the explorer/ranger engine bay

A truck 5.0l can be used, Ford stopped using the 302/5.0l in full size trucks and vans by 1996/7, Explorers were the only Fords that used the 302/5.0l thru 2001

Manual trans needed would be the M5OD-R2 but............you need one from a 1997-2003 F-150 with a 4.2l V6, the 4.2l used same trans bolt pattern as 5.0l, earlier M5OD-R2 had shifter farther forward so it comes up under Ranger dash, custom shift arm can be made, but the 1997-2003 model has shifter come up same as Rangers M5OD-R1

 

[jklolkik]

The M5OD-R2 is pretty much a direct bolt in correct or are there alittle modifications needed to be done?

Also what about the clutch and flywheel situation and wiring?

 

[Bird76Mojo]

If I were you, I'd try to drive a truck with the M5OD first. They shift exactly like you'd think. Like a truck. I never could stand them myself. Too slow between gears.

 

[jklolkik]

Well unless you meant with the R2 I have. My truck had the R1. But probably not the same for the shift feel. I have heard about the mustang t5 being alittle weak. With my driving habits id probably blow it in a week after installing. With my budget I cant really afford getting a better tranny yet. But later when I turbo I will upgrade the tranny

Maybe I will use the T5. Just did alittle more reading it might hold up. As for the speedo I will just use an electronic speedometer what more would be needed for the t5 swap?

In my mind it should be easier at least with the computer as I could pull one from a manual 5.0 mustang and not have to worry about the CEL

 

[Snoranger]

The M5OD-R2 is pretty much a direct bolt in correct or are there alittle modifications needed to be done?

To use the 4.2l M5OD behind the 5.0l you have the drill the bellhousing bolts out from M10 to 7/16".

 

[Bird76Mojo]

My Z spec T5 holds up fine and I beat the truck like a red-headed step-child with a Torsen 8.8 and 10.5" rear tires. I'm running a Foxbody A9P EEC for an automatic transmission in my 5spd. No problems and it runs great. It's common for guys to run the A9P with a manual trans, but you can't run the A9L EEC with an automatic..

 

[19Walt93]

I much prefer the T5 to any of the Mazda based transmission, I just don't like the way they shift. After 42 years in the dealer service department I've driven a lot of them. If I couldn't use a T5 or Tremec I'd look for a wide ratio top loader 4 speed before using a Mazda.

 

[jklolkik]

Not sure if links are allowed.

Ford 5.0 302 with T-5 transmission

91 Mustang 302 with Bog-Warner T-5 transmission. 97 Moutaineer ported & polished intake. New high volume Oil Pump and Water Pump along with Harmonic Balancer. along with ford racing wires and...

seattle.craigslist.org

But would this be a good buy? Is it worth it

 

[Bird76Mojo]

I think he's got it priced pretty high. Unless he's willing to pull the heads to show you the condition of the engine, and let you remove the top cover on the T5 to check it's internals..

It's basically an unknown mileage engine, and in that respect, you can pick those up at Pull-a-Part and Pick-a-Part yards all day long for a couple/few hundred bucks each, and in some cases you could even verify the mileage. I can get a used, unknown condition T5 within a 2 hour drive of my location, for $200 each, any day of the week..

It is a nice little package deal though, IF you could get his price down considerably. That's just my opinion though..

Keep in mind, if using the T5 transmission, you'll have to figure out the shifter location through the floor. After hee-hawing back and forth I finally decided to buy a new T5Z from Modern Driveline with their front shift-rear socket tailhousing, because converting it over to use the Chevy S-10 tailhousing (front shifter) wasn't recommended by several T5 builders I spoke with. They said that there were internal oiling issues that weren't easily solved and proven to be 100% reliable, not to mention the speedo output and solving that problem in a reliable manner. In my case, buying the new T5Z was worth every penny.

 

[jklolkik]

I dont really car about the position of the shifter. Already have "bucket seats". Going to put in some mustang seats if i can find good ones at the JY.

Another question. Any tips on installing the 302 t5 combo? As to positioning of the tranny. Should I mount tranny first then engine?

Just talked to the seller. He has 90% of everything needed to install. He said the original owner said the tranny was rebuilt. He has never ran it so he doesnt know for sure.

 

[Bird76Mojo]

Nearly all sellers say something to the effect of "previous owner said it was rebuilt" - but I rarely find that to be true.. I make my offers based on this fact.

I installed my engine first and then the trans. I left the engine mount to engine plate nuts slightly loose so I could fine tune the front to back positioning of the engine and transmission after installing the trans..

 

[jklolkik]

After offering him 1500$ he has not gotten back to me.

So off to the junkyard I go. What should I look for when checking over the engine and transmission?

 

[Bird76Mojo]

Hard to say other than looking at the odometer, visually checking the engine's freeze plugs, and just looking for leaks. If it looks to have a heavy leak anywhere, then the previous owner might have ran it low on fluids at one point or another..

If you really want to get serious, then a compression tester might be a good idea. Using a spare battery and some jumper cables to turn the engine over.

I'd keep trying to get ahold of that seller and try to negotiate with him. That's a good year of engine to have with it's forged pistons.

 

[jklolkik]

Only problem is I dont have much money to work with right now. Just 2000$ even 1500$ wont leave me with much left over to buy other stuff.