V8 swapping 83 ford ranger

[ranger83jo]

I have a 1983 ford Ranger I've owned it for about 15 years and am trying to gather information and make a part list as I plan on putting a 302 in it and cannot find any information on what transmission will bolt up to it ideally I would want an aod but am at a loss as to weither it's a c4 or c6 any information would be greatly appreciated

 

[JoshT]

An AOD is an AOD. It was a stock transmission found behind the 302/5.0L in cars and trucks.

C4 and C6 were older non-OD transmissions.

AOD was like the C4 and C6 in this is was full mechanical/hydraulic control and used a TV linkage from the carburetor (or throttlebody?) to control shifting. AODE was a later version of the AOD with electronic controls for shifting. The 4R70W was an even later revision of the AODE with more refined computer controls.

Which one you use will be best determined by what you are planning to use for fuel control on your 302 (carburetor or EFI) and if you want to consider adding a standalone transmission controller for one of the later transmissions.

 

[Brain75]

I believe a C3/ C4 should both work without a body lift, anything bigger and you are gonna have to lift or smash the tunnel up a bit to make room...

in the tech library there are several documented swaps (mostly newer "5.0", not an oldschool "302"), but there is at least a couple 302 swaps.

Engines & Fuel Systems - The Ranger Station

DISCLAIMER: Activities and vehicle modifications appearing or described at The Ranger Station and it’s pages may be potentially dangerous. We do not endorse any such activity for others or recommend it to any particular person – we simply describe the … Continued

www.therangerstation.com

about 2/3 way down, left colum, "V8 swaps"

 

[Lil Bronco]

Howdy! Welcome.
If I were more tech savvy, I’d give ya the links that are here on this site.

Like what has been mentioned, look in the Tech Library, then under the older rangers. Lots of info.

Check under the engine section under V-8 swaps, several articles in there that will walk ya through it.

 

[19Walt93]

C4's and C6's have vacuum modulators, AOD's do not, they rely on governor speed like the other 2 with the throttle position being the main shift control. A C6 eats up more power, is bigger, and would be overkill unles your engine makes a ton of power. I used a C4 and 3.00 gears behind the mild 351 in my Ranger because I had one and because I like the way a C4 shifts better. If you're planning to run EFI and a PCM, an AODE might be a better choice for you.

 

[1984RESTOMOD]

I've got a ZFS5-42 in mine

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Personal experience... it sucks to go back in and reswap the trans because you decide you want OD...

 

[JoshT]

I've got a ZFS5-42 in mine

Ok, but that's a manual transmissions. The op was asking about automatics. Unless that was a size reference in regards to the C6 being big?

Personal experience... it sucks to go back in and reswap the trans because you decide you want OD...

I don't have the experience, but I agree. If you want OD, get OD. Better to do it now than wish you had and change it later.

 

[bobbywalter]

is it going to be a cruiser? hot rod? track? 2wd? 4wd?

why the 302? why not a 351? or 460? is it a perception of its the easiest choice?

it can definitely be pretty easy to do. especially with a c4.

your current trans if stock is either a c3 or c5. the c5 can be outfitted to work with a v8 bell. the c3....meh.

 

[Trueblued]

I have a 1983 ford Ranger I've owned it for about 15 years and am trying to gather information and make a part list as I plan on putting a 302 in it and cannot find any information on what transmission will bolt up to it ideally I would want an aod but am at a loss as to weither it's a c4 or c6 any information would be greatly appreciated

i currently have a 302,c4 advanced adaptor conversion,1350 tranfer case set up in a 1984 ranger. tranny overhauled and beefed up for big power. probably has 3500 miles on it. no hard miles just traveling/work. motor out of 1979 tbird with about 60,000 miles does not burn oil. willing to sell as one if interested. going to put a roller rocker 302 in built to a 306,gt40 heads,cobra efi gt40 intake,cam ,headers,and 4r70w with np205 transfer case. not anything wrong with what i have for sale just updating. also put in explorer front/rear ends. interested i live in north central idaho. 208-874-7848 marvin

 

[Angie]

if you get a AOD, while it is out and freely movable, take it to a transmission shop and ask them to check the 4th gear band to make sure it isn't burnt out. (ask me how I know this) will save you head aches in the long run, as this is a common problem with theses transmissions.