help!

projectranger · #1 06-09-2011, 12:03 AM

Hi im adam I own a 98 ford ranger 2wd manual and a 88 f150 automatic 4 by 4. I am looking for some insight as to how I can put a 5.0 in the ranger and what id need to do specially to it to make it fit. I am not that macanically inclined but I want to know about motors. If any one could be of serious help id greatly appricate it.

Tom · #2 06-09-2011, 12:05 AM

IMHO, if you're not mechanically inclined swapping in a 5.0 is probably way over your head. Unless of course you have outside help (friends, mechanics, etc.).

projectranger · #3 06-09-2011, 12:14 AM

Yes I do have friends to help out, I want to take the efi out and put a carberator on it as well. I have a vision of a sweet rig after its done, put some slicks on the back drop it down a little and just hear the beast pur. I also am gonna rebuild the engine but if anyone can help out in anyway id love to have help from enthusiasts of the best truck manufacture in the world!!

knightmare1015 · #4 06-09-2011, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom

IMHO, if you're not mechanically inclined swapping in a 5.0 is probably way over your head. Unless of course you have outside help (friends, mechanics, etc.).

X2. Tom is for sure right about this one. You can either have a few friends help you out, or pay to have someone else install it for you. It won't be an overnight project either. It will take some time and also depends on wether or not you're using EFI or a carbed motor. Plus there are alot of other factors involved too.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by projectranger

Yes I do have friends to help out, I want to take the efi out and put a carberator on it as well. I have a vision of a sweet rig after its done, put some slicks on the back drop it down a little and just hear the beast pur. I also am gonna rebuild the engine but if anyone can help out in anyway id love to have help from enthusiasts of the best truck manufacture in the world!!

Go with an edlebrock or holley carb. Those are your best bets and the cheapest too. JC Whitney has several lowering kits as well. What type of look are you going for, prostock or prostreet?

projectranger · #5 06-09-2011, 12:20 AM

The motor is a efi that I wanna change to a carb and im thinkin of pro street

dmize · #6 06-09-2011, 10:20 AM

If your 98 is coil spring You will have lots of modifications to make. Home made motor mounts, attached to V6 oem mounts work good. The best trans is a C4 With 157 tooth flywheel and belhousing. The radiator will have to be replaced and moved forward under the support. 19x24 fits good between the frame rails. The engine will have to have a different cam to run the carb. Start saving now I started my swap last Oct. this weekend i hope to take the maiden voyage. I have around $6,000 in mine and i did all of the work except the machine work on the block and heads.
The factory wire harness and all other gauges can be used. You just have to find the proper wires. You can buy a 30 day membership at mortorcraft.com and download all of the wire diagrams. Also you will have to remove the fuel pump in the tank and install a electric low pressure pump in the frame, and replace the fuel line with 3/8 line.

Dave

knightmare1015 · #7 06-09-2011, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by projectranger

The motor is a efi that I wanna change to a carb and im thinkin of pro street

Ok. Now that have got the info needed listen to what the members have to say closely and be careful on which components you pick cause some of them might not be exactly street legal. Painless Performance will have the wiring harness you will need for the efi to carb conversion and you'll still be able to use all of your guages too. The radiator and the motor mounts will be the biggest challenges you will have. James duff enterprises may have what you will need concerning these items. you will also need to adress the heater box, and the oil pan will have to be a rear sump to clear the rack and pion steering. So I would check out these guys I mentioned for the parts that you need. The Ranger Station will have a "how to" segment on their website.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmize

If your 98 is coil spring You will have lots of modifications to make. Home made motor mounts, attached to V6 oem mounts work good. The best trans is a C4 With 157 tooth flywheel and belhousing. The radiator will have to be replaced and moved forward under the support. 19x24 fits good between the frame rails. The engine will have to have a different cam to run the carb. Start saving now I started my swap last Oct. this weekend i hope to take the maiden voyage. I have around $6,000 in mine and i did all of the work except the machine work on the block and heads.
The factory wire harness and all other gauges can be used. You just have to find the proper wires. You can buy a 30 day membership at mortorcraft.com and download all of the wire diagrams. Also you will have to remove the fuel pump in the tank and install a electric low pressure pump in the frame, and replace the fuel line with 3/8 line.

Dave

X2. I have to agree man cause I have seen first hand what goes into this project via pictures, and I have done an S10 V8 conversion myself. I got lucky on the S10 because I had the 4.3 liter engine in it. But if I didn't have it everything would've had to have been modified including the frame just to get it to fit. How far along are you before yours is finished?

dmize · #8 06-09-2011, 05:27 PM

I hope this weekend i will be 100% done. Only have to install the shifter and the side pipes do the final timing and go for a drive. Most of the stuff that is around for this conversion won't fit a 98 or 99. Mine is a 99 coil springs and nothing fits the 98,99coil spring version. I did not have to modify my heater box and the only thing i had to do the drive shaft was change the front yoke to match the C4 from TCI. The only thing i started with was a 89 virgin roller block and went from there. If i can answer any questions just holler

dmize · #9 06-09-2011, 05:59 PM

Just another thought i have taken pictures of every step of this swap and have over 100. If there is any part of the swap anybody would like to see i will send the pics.

HazardousRanger · #10 06-09-2011, 06:02 PM

seems alotta people are asking this. (about swapping engines, recently)why dont we make a thread or a general how to on swapping motors...nothihg too specific since each engine is different (i assume)

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did not read previous replies sorry for repost if any lol

Tom · #11 06-09-2011, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmize

Just another thought i have taken pictures of every step of this swap and have over 100. If there is any part of the swap anybody would like to see i will send the pics.

If you have the time I'm sure many people would love to see all the pictures. It would be awesome if you could write up a brief description to the pictures as well (eg: explaining what you are doing or just did).

dmize · #12 06-09-2011, 06:12 PM

I will put everything together and get it posted. I looked all over the net for help on this project and could not find much on the 98,99, so i made my own stuff. I am sure there are other guys that need the info like i did.

Dave

Airtruksrus · #13 06-09-2011, 07:45 PM

This almost sounds like something i should put together that's similar to whats on my cardomain page for the engine rebuild and install. My build up is quite a bit different from yours but they all work the same in the end, put foot on gas, watch rear tires light up...