rear engine ranger

[matts94sc]

I am wanting to put my 400 modified with a 2speed powerglide in the back of my 85 long wheel base ranger how hard would it be?? I know its possible. anything is possible but i was just wandering how hard would it be?? i am wanting to build a dragster out of it (obviously). any suggestions would be appreciated from radiator mounting to headers to mounting it all thanks

 

[Mac]

Sure would be different! I remember seeing a VW 30 years ago with a 396 rear mounted motor on the streets of Northern Illinois. Got lots of time and money?
Dave

 

[projectnitemare]

Really it wouldn't be all that hard. There is less stuff to get in the way and a little more room. The mounts would obviously be custom and you would have to loose the bed floor as well as make some sort of braces to hold the bedsides on. I'm assuming a 400M Ford engine? That's fine if so but why? That wouldn't be my first choice for a drag engine. The powerglide is ok too if that's what you want but you will need to use a twin stick t-case. The NP205 would be good. You can twin stick that and run the front output to your rear axle, if you have 4x4 the rear output to the front axle or don't do anything with the rear output if its a 4x2. I was going to do a rear engine 460 but would rather stuff it under the hood.

Matt

 

[COPPERHEAD85]

hmmmmmmmmmm..........not to change the subject but.........couldnt help but notice in the sig the words supercharger and 545.............care to let us in on this nitemare?

 

[chvlfrk]

F Y I >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I am wanting to put my 400 modified with a 2speed powerglide in the back of my 85 long wheel base ranger how hard would it be?? I know its possible. anything is possible but i was just wandering how hard would it be?? i am wanting to build a dragster out of it (obviously). any suggestions would be appreciated from radiator mounting to headers to mounting it all thanks

============================================
Not a Ranger, but food-for-thought............I believe it's a Mazda or VW w/Caddy motor (notice the emblem on the tailgate) & Eldorado transaxle....

Keep us posted on your build...................

 

[281Ranger]

Trying to use a powerglide, or any rwd trans, wouldn't work. You have a 7' bed, your engine is about 30" long, a powerglide is 27-9/16" long, that leaves you about 2 feet for a driveshaft, suspention, axle, wheels and tires. I don't think it's going to fit. You could go with a transaxle like in the Pantera or GT ($$$$$), or one from an Olds Toronado/Cadilac Eldorado.

 

[canyoncritter]

v-drive comes to mind

 

[projectnitemare]

Driveshaft legnth couldn't be that much worse than that of a BII. Thinking in terms of a conventional 4x4 here, this would essentially be like sending power to the front wheels. In the rear engine needs to be facing backwards with the t-case toward the front of the truck. I can gurantee that will be enough legnth for a driveshaft.

Matt

 

[Mutant Pony]

What Project nightmare is talking about is a readily available v-drive. Same concept, different name. An actual v-drive would probably last longer in continual use, the 205 would handle more torque.
I've seen a chevy Luv with a toronado trans axle and a BBC with a 671, Everything you could possibly chrome was chromed. It was pretty impressive, not something I would own though.
If I were doing it I would either go with the GM 425 or a Pantera ZF, IF it were possible to find one.

 

[281Ranger]