Question for the forum.....

[scotman]

I am thinking of doing a project for the GRM 2014 challenge. I do not recall ever seeing anyone bring a 5.0 V8, 2wd Ranger to compete in this little thrashfest. What year of 108" two wheel drive Ranger would be best suited to get a 5.0 AOD swap? I am thinking EFI not carb. Dont care if the heater is installed , cause I know the blower case intrusion is an issue with this. I kinda like the idea of dropped beams in front and a simple axle flip in the back. Is this feasable? Or as an alternate path, would it be less hassle to find a 98 Ranger with rack and pinion steering and the SLA suspension and just swap in brackets from a V8 explorer to get the engine in it and put in a Mustang trans' to get the power sent out? I think the newer Ranger would be a better handler and have better brakes (4whl disc). But the early Ranger would be less complex to build. This idea has been rattling around in my head for some time now. Anybody have an opinion on what way is better or not?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

What type of "thrashfest" is GRM? I would probably have an opinion if I knew what you're attempting.

Richard

 

[crazypj]

Pretty sure it's already been done on 'Trucks' or one of the Saturday morning shows (except they used a B series)

 

[scotman]

What type of "thrashfest" is GRM? I would probably have an opinion if I knew what you're attempting.

Richard

Grassroots motorsports magazine is a low buck Kind of DIY publication based near orlando FL. They host a yearly. Competition where their readers are invited to a multi day event with cars/trucks that they have built on a budget that that matches the year it happens on(thus 2010 is $2,010 dollar cost to build etc) each year they add a buck to the cost to build. It is very popular. There are three events your car must compete in Drag race, autocross and car show. I am looking to find and build the best version of Ranger that might make a good showing at this thing. There are prizes but it's mostly about building and running a cool and cheap fast car against other very creative cool and fast cheap cars.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

That sounds like a great event to try out. I would go for a sla type ranger mainly for the auto-cross. 2wd has less to break but 4x4 can put more power to the ground. Does safety equipment count towards the money total? Can you provide a link to the rules? I'd like to see what they are.
Good luck,

Richard

 

[Mac]

That sounds like a good project. A guy here (Dasfinc) took STOM in Oct '11' and had less than $2000 in his V-8 build and ran 13.9 in the quarter. I did see it and as he says, liittle dings here and there He has a summary of the costs and problems here: http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=113063
Dave

 

[scotman]

Thanks guy's. GRM has an area on their site dedicated to the challenge and the builders. The event is geared toward four things FAST, CHEAP, FUN, and all around good performance/ looks. I am on this site because you guys are all about Rangers. I think that if it's been done , someone here has done it or knows someone who has built a ranger in some close cofiguration to what I described and would know whether early or later Rangers would be better for a V8 swap. Thats what I was getting at.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I'm not sure of exact dates but IIRC some '95-7 explorers came with v-8's and are built on the same platform as the Ranger. There are lots of threads on swaps between the two. Those explorers came with sla type front suspension and some with rear discs and if lightened up may be a good candidate for a build or swap.

Richard

 

[scotman]

Thanks....

I have a light roll over (more like layed over) 99 V8 awd mercury mountaineer that is near me and available. So the Engine, mounts and harnesses are easy to get. I probably should get the rear axle as well, at least to get the disc brakes. I have fiqured that I will just buy a used mini spool and an automatic transmission from a some mustang drag racer to cover that area. Maybe could get a good high stall converter as well. I understand that the vehicles must have current date code harness and drivers must have a current snell approved helmet. I have a kirkey aluminum seat from my Ice racing car that would work for a place to sit. I am just wondering if anyone here has done a v8 swap into either the early and or later Rangers and has some wisdom they might share regarding the pitfalls of each. The only V8 Rangers I have seen in my area were a 4X4 88 with a carbed 5.0 and a 2wd 85 that a former coworker dropped a 318 dodge and short tailshaft 727 into just to use as a farm beater with enough balls to pull a grain wagon! Neither of these fit with what I want to do.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I did a quick search using the search button up top in the dark blue header;
http://www.therangerstation.com/for...1&photoplog_searchquery="engine+swap"+mercury
There is also a 'google' search button at the top of the page on the right side.
I really need to make a sticky on how to search the site, I remember how frustrated I was until I learned all the ins and outs of searching this site. You can find stuff in the tech section as well, it's up top too. There are lots of threads about v-8 engine swaps, in fact there is a section devoted to it;
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=140
Good luck,

Richard

 

[robertc1024]

The only V8 Rangers I have seen in my area were a 4X4 88 with a carbed 5.0 and a 2wd 85 that a former coworker dropped a 318 dodge and short tailshaft 727 into .

BLASPHEMY!


(naw - J/k the 318's were decent motors.)

 

[scotman]

Thanks, I fished around for awhile...

And then just decided to post a question! I figured the 318 into a Ranger would get a negative response but the Guy who did it is a "dual enthusiast" of the highest order. He likes ford and Mopars! The dune buggy he built about 12yrs ago using an 89 dodge Omni engine and transaxle would have brought a smile to the face of any of the hardcores on this site! It was bone stock and would do fifty mph in second gear, run hard all day and never overheat or break and cost just about jack to run! He is just one of those guys who always thinks outside the box. I wish I had video of that little shortbox 2wd Ranger pulling a loaded haywagon while running loaded to the max itself! Most people would have thought it was some kind of C-G special effect trick. I LAMAO when I saw him working that thing.