v8 swap for 2002 ford ranger 3.0 2wd

[281Ranger]

with a 2002 with sla and rack and pinion steering I would seriously consider a 32 valve DOHC 5.4L from a navigator as it would not be anymore trouble to fit than a 32 valve DOHC 4.6L from an explorer.

 

[baddad457]

When did Ford equip Exploders with the DOHC 4.6?

 

[Teddyzee]

if you are going with EFI then you can not mix OBD1 and OBD2 (96+) if you are going to use EFI then use an explorer engine that is 96+. if you are not going to use a computer controlled engine then strip everything electronic from your truck and start with a 14 circuit harness from painless. If you are going carb then use a mustang engine and intake and heads and cam. the mustang 5.0L is alot more agressive. at this point you should consider a 302 with late 60's cam and 351w heads 4bbl intake and 750 CFM 4bbl. set it up infront of an AOD so you have overdrive. not even your gauges are going to work with a carbed engine. with a 2002 with sla and rack and pinion steering I would seriously consider a 32 valve DOHC 5.4L from a navigator as it would not be anymore trouble to fit than a 32 valve DOHC 4.6L from an explorer.

BDAB, I must disagree completely.
Mixing OBD1 and OBD2 is not an issue, I did it in my truck. Everything works perfect, Mustang 5.0 HO EFI, my dash lights, speedometer, tach, dummy lights, cruise control, everything. It not nearly as hard as people think.
No need to strip anything and start over.

The Mustang 5.0 HO and the Explorer 5.0 are very similar. I don't remember the cam grinds off the top of my head, but the Ex cam may have a little more low end than the Stang. But it's got better heads, and a similar power rating. With a good Cold air intake, or good 4bbl carb and intake, as well as dual exhaust, the Ex engine would likely be as good or better.

The only 351 heads a guy would want are '69/'70, they have larger valves and smaller chambers (for more compression). I'd bet you'd get similar or better results with the gt40(p) heads off an Ex.

Every gauge can be made to work with a carbed engine.

There's a lot involved with the 4.6/5.4 swap that may cost a little more money than a 302. But it would be cool.

 

[Ozwynn]

There's a lot involved with the 4.6/5.4 swap that may cost a little more money than a 302. But it would be cool.

its not as complicated as you think in a SLA truck because of the rack and pinion steering.

 

[Ozwynn]

When did Ford equip Exploders with the DOHC 4.6?

I meant from a crown vic... had explorer on my mind

 

[baddad457]

The Mustang 5.0 HO and the Explorer 5.0 are very similar. I don't remember the cam grinds off the top of my head, but the Ex cam may have a little more low end than the Stang. But it's got better heads, and a similar power rating. With a good Cold air intake, or good 4bbl carb and intake, as well as dual exhaust, the Ex engine would likely be as good or better.

The only 351 heads a guy would want are '69/'70, they have larger valves and smaller chambers (for more compression). I'd bet you'd get similar or better results with the gt40(p) heads off an Ex.

Every gauge can be made to work with a carbed engine.

Good info here. The difference in the specs of the Explorer and Mustang HO cams is miniscule, the HO cam is only has slightly more lift and duration on the intake side. The Explorer cam is probably the best cam you could ever want with a daily driver fed by a carb. But instead of BDAB's advice of a 750, something like a 570 or a 600 is a better choice. My 89's got an Explorer cam, improved with 1.7 rockers, topped by a Ford A321 and Holley 570 Street Avenger. It behaves exactly like it's got EFI. If you drove it and didn't know, you'd never guess there was a carb under the hood.

 

[281Ranger]

I meant from a crown vic... had explorer on my mind

The Crown Vic never got a dohc either.