Project OUTRANGEROUS 4.6L Install / Phase 2

[dangerranger83]

Run OBA with your setup if you cant get rid of the AC compressor.

 

[bobbywalter]

the later compressors are not so oba friendly.



i am talking about the 4.6 explorer componants....or 150 stuff...look at all the stuff to figure out what best suits your needs....may or may not be different or usable.

 

[RJAAAAAA]

the later compressors are not so oba friendly.



i am talking about the 4.6 explorer componants....or 150 stuff...look at all the stuff to figure out what best suits your needs....may or may not be different or usable.

Yep, this swap stuff is not one size fits all. Each year and model has it's own set of problems and solutions. This setup came out sweet, the bearing in the compressor is about 1.25" in diameter and is mounted on the flange so it didn't depend on the shaft for support. I had to move my remote oil filter though, forgot about the pulley when I mounted it on the frame. Not a problem though.
HO cam ought to help that Explorer get down the road.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

HO cam ought to help that Explorer get down the road.

I hope so, it is just a Ranger with an Explorer front accessory drive though.

 

[RJAAAAAA]

Fuel pump

I though I would need the fuel pump from the CV so I pulled it when I got the engine but before I go to alot of trouble I thought I'd do some research on the pumps. Come to find out that the AC Delco replacement pumps at Advanced Auto are exactly the same part numbers for the 2 vehicles. Some of the customer reviews even mention using this same pump in a Corvette. I think I'll leave the pump alone and see how it goes.
Started dressing up the wiring and installed the new PCM, everything is starting to look good

 

[RJAAAAAA]

Work goes slow

Haven't had to much time lately to work on the truck, family medical issues take priorty.
I was able to start some work on the mod to the heater box. As everyonr knows the A/C coils stick out to far to clear the passenger side head/ valve cover.

The A/C coil had to be removed and major mod done to the heater box so that it can be installed to have heat.

Removal of the A/C coil and cover.

I decided to make a cardboard pattern first to check fit.

The cardboard pattern fit good so now I smeared it with grease and started to cover it with fiberglass.

Still looks a litte rough but with a little work it came out ok.

And finally a test fit

Not looking to shabby. Still have to finish up the details and attach the cover.
Attached the cover and caulked it, will have to wait for all to dry before the final fit.

 

[Tominator]

Damn good work!

Like yourself I made it a point to keep all the amenities.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Why not just install the heater box from a truck that didn't have AC?

 

[dangerranger83]

Because he wants AC.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Finished up the radiator & fan today and got her locked down, nice fit. Welded extention on lower rad. support.
I've been researching A/C Compressor removal and what is the best way to work around it. I see that they make an a/c comp. delete bracket that is just a pulley w/ bracket to replace the compressor and still be able to use the original belt. I made the same thing using the old comp. for parts.
Remove compressor and dismantle it.

Going to use the front flange w/ it's pulley and bearing to bolt to a mounting bracket.
After fabricating the bracket, it will be mounted in the original location and will carry the belt.

Here is the pulley mounted back in the original position of the compressor.

Here it is installed and the radiator installed.

Thing are moving slow but we're moving ahead. Should be able to put in some good time the next couple of days.

Because he wants AC.

It would seem counterproductive to delete the compressor then.

If you could get the evaporator in there (I think my '85's was about as thick as that housing) it wouldn't get enough airflow to be very effective anyway.

 

[RJAAAAAA]

Why not just install the heater box from a truck that didn't have AC?

Never looked into what a fan housing looked like that didn't have A/C. It may have worked? don't know for sure but I'll sure take a look on the next trip to the JY.
And yes I did remove the A/C. Maybe sometime down the road I may look into reinstalling it ? I kept the original equipment from the Ranger, Never even broke a fitting, still has a full charge on it. It looks doable if I relocate the compressor and revamp the blower box. Since I'm retired I won't be using the Ranger as much as before so I hope the loss of A/C won't be as serious.
Thanks for your input, I'm trying to press in on this this this week and hope to crank it up soooooooooon.

 

[bobbywalter]

i cant remember what a non ac box looks like on the later trucks. generally they are much smaller, regardless the corner still needs modification.


usually heating the box with a good heat gun or 500 watt light will allow you to mold it around a 351 with ease. it should work fine in this type of application with a 3 in body lift.

in any case, a custom box is easy to do, and there is plenty of room here to keep ac.

 

[dangerranger83]

Im just wondering about how long that homemade AC bracket setup will last though. If it did go out on you, how fast of a turn around can you do to fix it and the cost?

 

[RJAAAAAA]

A/C bracket

Im just wondering about how long that homemade AC bracket setup will last though. If it did go out on you, how fast of a turn around can you do to fix it and the cost?

If your talking about the homemade bracket and pulley setup, I don't see a problem with longevity. It's made from 3/16" steel plate and the front pulley set up from the compressor is heavy duty. I think the pulley and bearing setup is far superior to the one being sold. I thought I read that the one on the market has a plastic pulley on it. It's easy to get to and repair if necessary.
As to keeping the A/C and having room for it ??? the bracket for the front top control arm is in the way of the compressor as mounted on the 4.6. It had to go. These brackets mounted on top of the frame rails up front cause considerable problems with installation of engine especially the exhaust, oil filter A/C comp. etc. A lift kit wouldn't help with them, this is an Edge model and already has a lift kit in it.
These guys get in the way

As for redoing the blower box for A/C, the coil that goes in the plenum is humongus, no way for that to fit back in the original location with a little heating and bending. It might be possible to make another plenum box and relocate it on the fender with the blowerin it. ?? Depends on how uncomfortable I get as to how hard I'm willing to work to get it back. I'm not getting any younger and I sure do like my creature comforts.Thanks for the interest
Well, off to church this morning, blessing to all.

 

[Teddyzee]

Good work on the box.

For those of you asking, on 1995 and new Rangers, the heater box is the same for AC and nonAC trucks. The nonAC version has no evaporator inside, of course, but it's the same mold.