suggestions on a 4.0 or 5.0 swap

[xkotyx]

ive got a 91 2.3l ranger ive been thinking about swapping something larger in one day when i have the money and time.

i have a 91 explorer with the 4.0 in it. the swap would be much more simple than a 5.0 concidering its basically all the same setup as the ranger.

drawbacks on the 4.0 is it has 200k miles on it. i would like to rebuild/have it rebuilt before i swapped it, which is more money. its also an auto which i would want to stay with a manual, so ill have to look around for one.

now my grandfather has a 74 f100 with the 5.0. he said i can have it for $200. its not currently running and the body is too far gone to restore it myself much. it only has 90k miles on it which is a big plus

drawbacks are finding a tranny, oil pan, and all that for it. also it will be more fabricating and more of my own wiring for it.

just bouncing the idea around. what you guys think?

 

[nitrofan1]

With the 4.0 you have just about everything you need for the swap and once the motor is tore down it may not need much. With the 302 (I'm old school) you'll need a swap kit or fab know how, radiator, mounts, tranny, harness, bigger rear end unless you have an 8.8 already cause you know you WON'T leave a 302 stock and extras so it won't look like you did it in the back yard. lol

 

[xkotyx]

yeah, im really leaning towards the 4.0, cuz its all there already on the same setup prettymuch. rebuild it and find a manual from a mazda b4000 or something and thats prob all ill need.

 

[RangerSVT]

A few more things to consider before evening disconnecting the battery on this project...What are your intentions for this, in other words, what is your intended use?? Is it offroading, weekend wheeler, DD, mall crawler?? Are you using it for 4wd use, or 2wd?? How many miles do you drive, and is it city driving, highway driving, or both?? Do you tow with this rig?? Haul cargo??
All of these questions need to be answered before you decide what to go with
SVT

 

[xkotyx]

A few more things to consider before evening disconnecting the battery on this project...What are your intentions for this, in other words, what is your intended use?? Is it offroading, weekend wheeler, DD, mall crawler?? Are you using it for 4wd use, or 2wd?? How many miles do you drive, and is it city driving, highway driving, or both?? Do you tow with this rig?? Haul cargo??
All of these questions need to be answered before you decide what to go with
SVT

a daily driver and weekend wheeler. i only drive maybe 10 miles a day because i have a company car to, from, and all day at work. its about half city driving and half county roads. alittle bit of highway. i dont tow or haul much, other than wood, trash, and scrap stuff.

 

[RangerSVT]

If you don't have the skills or the tools for fab work, I'd stick with the 4.0L swap, your power demands are not that high to need a V8 swap...I'd take the 4.0L, re-ring it and new bearings (to freshen her up, not a complete rebuild unless needed, it will keep the cost down), and then complete your swap
SVT

 

[xkotyx]

alright. i was thinking the 4.0 anyways. especially since im not the wealthiest person haha. i know different areas prices are different, but could you give me an idea on a price range for a decent rebuild on it? and a price range to have the bearings and rings done?

 

[RangerSVT]

Jay'94 just had his 4.0L rebuilt (94 ranger), I think he paid close to $2,400.00...I'd say if you had someone else do it, just to re-ring the motor would run you at least $500...
SVT

 

[xkotyx]

thanks alot man. and your avatar pic is great by the way!

 

[feellnfroggy]

Tranny's are cake to find, I would do the 5.0 swap. being that its carbed theres nothing to it.

 

[RangerSVT]

thanks alot man. and your avatar pic is great by the way!

Thanks, that was one of our wheelin trips out at Turkey Bay last year. We will be going again in three weeks, Check it out Here
SVT

 

[xkotyx]

Tranny's are cake to find, I would do the 5.0 swap. being that its carbed theres nothing to it.

the only thing with that is, i have limited budget, no shop of my own, i dont have hardly any of the fabricating tools either
i was already leaning toward the 4.0. it will just be much easier on me.
although the 5.0 would be my dream!

 

[xkotyx]

Thanks, that was one of our wheelin trips out at Turkey Bay last year. We will be going again in three weeks, Check it out Here
SVT

nice man! i wish i lived closer! by then ill FINALLY have in my lift and tires. that run would be a great test. oh well that weekend is mine and my girlfriends housewarming weekend even if we were closer. isnt but a few places really close to here to wheel, and half of them arent too great. unless you know someone with private property. do you have any pics of you and the other rigs on that trail from recent trips?