4.0L SOHC to the 3.5 Ecoboost swap

04FordRanger · #1 11-05-2014, 01:22 PM

I have an '04 FX4 Level II. know the engine would fit but how easy would it be to mount the Ecoboost into a Ranger. Has anyone done this project? I am looking at this to potentially turn it into a project on my Ranger. I am looking for opinions, tips, and or feedback on this potential project.

djfllmn · #2 11-05-2014, 01:23 PM

Pipe dreams

That is all

97rangerstepside · #3 11-05-2014, 03:52 PM

It will require a lot of work and a lot of money

First thing is that you need to find an wrecked ecoboost f150 in a junkyard (if you can find one). You will need engine, transmission, everything electrical except the radio.

Then you will need to do ALOT of fab work to make everything fit. After that there will be ALOT of programming and tuning to make every thing run.

Unless you have an unlimited budget it will not be very feasible.

If you want more power for cheap do a 5.0 swap, that has been done many times.

Logan03CO · #4 11-05-2014, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djfllmn

Pipe dreams

That is all

x2

Guess I'll just have to say it's like a unicorn........

Lariat · #5 11-05-2014, 05:05 PM

Here we go again...

04FordRanger · #6 11-05-2014, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97rangerstepside

It will require a lot of work and a lot of money

First thing is that you need to find an wrecked ecoboost f150 in a junkyard (if you can find one). You will need engine, transmission, everything electrical except the radio.

Then you will need to do ALOT of fab work to make everything fit. After that there will be ALOT of programming and tuning to make every thing run.

Unless you have an unlimited budget it will not be very feasible.

If you want more power for cheap do a 5.0 swap, that has been done many times.

Thanks for the actual advice. I asked for advice and help. Not critisicm. A simple "It's nearly impossible to do" would work well with me. If I wanted to be critisized, I could've asked some guys I know that hate Rangers (and Ford in general). It is do-able but as 97rangerstepside as generously explained, it is HARD.

I knew and know the project would be near impossible. I just enjoy challenges, I just needed some advice and tips to help me get started if I did decide to take on the project. Instead, I encounter a bunch of "Nay Sayers".

96_4x4_XLT · #7 11-05-2014, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 04FordRanger

I have an '04 FX4 Level II. know the engine would fit but how easy would it be to mount the Ecoboost into a Ranger. Has anyone done this project? I am looking at this to potentially turn it into a project on my Ranger. I am looking for opinions, tips, and or feedback on this potential project.

Hope you are really good at vehicle electronics and computer systems

Cuz I bet 3/4 of the swap will be dealing with that stuff

04FordRanger · #8 11-05-2014, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 96_4x4_XLT

Hope you are really good at vehicle electronics and computer systems

Cuz I bet 3/4 of the swap will be dealing with that stuff

Thanks for the warning. I do not yet. I will be completing a degree in Mechanical Engineering in a couple years. I will be able to do most, if not all, the work that would be needed for the swap.

Logan03CO · #9 11-06-2014, 04:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 04FordRanger

It is do-able but as 97rangerstepside as generously explained, it is HARD.

Talk about the understatement of the year...Hard doesn't scratch the surface.

Plus, isn't that a "goes without saying" type comment? A stock engine replacement can be "hard". A 100% cross generation/platform engine swap is a whole different bag of tricks.

You would be entering territory that .0002% (Yes, I've done the math) of Rangers owners even attempt to perform. Even less pull it off.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 04FordRanger

Instead, I encounter a bunch of "Nay Sayers".

You asked for opinions....looks like you only wanted rainbows, puppy dogs & sunshine type comments.

It's called being realistic. Sometimes the best thing to do is to rip the Band-Aid off and dial everything back into reality.

This is an example of one of those questions if you actually were going to do it or had the means to - you wouldn't have to ask if it's possible or want to know how "easy" it's going to be. You would already know it's 101% custom and not going to be "common".

People come here all the time asking about "how hard is it to...(insert catch of the day) engine into my common run of the mill Ranger."

Question: Insert wild ass dream "can it be done type thread".
Answer: Absolutely - with enough time & money. Lots and lots of both.

See, not really "helpful" there was it? Sounds like that's what you wanted though....

Would it be cool? Sure, nobody is doubting that.

However, you've said your going to College - I'll play the odds and say you don't have the time to pull something like this off. You've got bigger things to focus on.

Step #1 in my mind would be do get a replacement daily driver to use while your Ranger is down for the duration of the upgrade (which will be 2-3 times longer that whatever you think it is - minimum). Then you have to deal with normal maintenance on that vehicle at the same time....then real world college issues come into play - list goes on and on.

ranger024x4 · #10 11-06-2014, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logan03CO

You asked for opinions....looks like you only wanted rainbows, puppy dogs & sunshine type comments.

here is a picture for reference:

stateranger · #11 11-06-2014, 09:30 AM

Finding a good used ecoboost 3.5 will cost you around 3k and the transmission will be near 2k so your minimum investment is near 10k just towards the truck, add on necessary tools required, then throw in finding another vehicle, student loan(?), and other bills you have to pay.

04FordRanger · #12 11-06-2014, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logan03CO

Talk about the understatement of the year...Hard doesn't scratch the surface.

Plus, isn't that a "goes without saying" type comment? A stock engine replacement can be "hard". A 100% cross generation/platform engine swap is a whole different bag of tricks.

You would be entering territory that .0002% (Yes, I've done the math) of Rangers owners even attempt to perform. Even less pull it off.

You asked for opinions....looks like you only wanted rainbows, puppy dogs & sunshine type comments.

It's called being realistic. Sometimes the best thing to do is to rip the Band-Aid off and dial everything back into reality.

This is an example of one of those questions if you actually were going to do it or had the means to - you wouldn't have to ask if it's possible or want to know how "easy" it's going to be. You would already know it's 101% custom and not going to be "common".

People come here all the time asking about "how hard is it to...(insert catch of the day) engine into my common run of the mill Ranger."

Question: Insert wild ass dream "can it be done type thread".
Answer: Absolutely - with enough time & money. Lots and lots of both.

See, not really "helpful" there was it? Sounds like that's what you wanted though....

Would it be cool? Sure, nobody is doubting that.

However, you've said your going to College - I'll play the odds and say you don't have the time to pull something like this off. You've got bigger things to focus on.

Step #1 in my mind would be do get a replacement daily driver to use while your Ranger is down for the duration of the upgrade (which will be 2-3 times longer that whatever you think it is - minimum). Then you have to deal with normal maintenance on that vehicle at the same time....then real world college issues come into play - list goes on and on.

I commend you for taking the time to write a long piece of trash like this.

Now, let's break it down.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logan03CO

You asked for opinions....looks like you only wanted rainbows, puppy dogs & sunshine type comments.

It's called being realistic. Sometimes the best thing to do is to rip the Band-Aid off and dial everything back into reality.

I wasn't in any way looking to be babied. I was looking for actual opinions. "Here we go again..." that kind of tells me your opinion. Does not help me in any way. It just pisses me off and convinces me to go ahead with the project just to prove to you bastards that it can be done and that I've got actual balls to do things that are actually worth it. Some say just to stick with a 5.0 swap. Well, that helps. The thing is, I don't want to do something that everyone has already done.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logan03CO

People come here all the time asking about "how hard is it to...(insert catch of the day) engine into my common run of the mill Ranger."

Question: Insert wild ass dream "can it be done type thread".
Answer: Absolutely - with enough time & money. Lots and lots of both.

See, not really "helpful" there was it? Sounds like that's what you wanted though....

I was not asking if it can be done. I was asking for tips and opinions on the project, if I decided to take it on. I know very well that it can be done, but that it would be insanely hard.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logan03CO

However, you've said your going to College - I'll play the odds and say you don't have the time to pull something like this off. You've got bigger things to focus on.

Step #1 in my mind would be do get a replacement daily driver to use while your Ranger is down for the duration of the upgrade (which will be 2-3 times longer that whatever you think it is - minimum). Then you have to deal with normal maintenance on that vehicle at the same time....then real world college issues come into play - list goes on and on.

I am not so stupid to do it to my daily driver. I know I would have to get another daily driver. Maybe I'd get a $1000 car that last long enough for me to finish my project. I am also not stupid enough to do it while I have I still have College expenses. I will be graduating in about 1.5 years. In my profession, in the first year of working, I could be making around $1000000/year. I'd easily have the funds once I'm making that.

----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by stateranger

Finding a good used ecoboost 3.5 will cost you around 3k and the transmission will be near 2k so your minimum investment is near 10k just towards the truck, add on necessary tools required, then throw in finding another vehicle, student loan(?), and other bills you have to pay.

Thanks for the ACTUAL opinion. I have also looked into the potential cost of the project. I know it would be expensive.

Rangerdaddy · #13 11-06-2014, 10:28 AM

In my profession, in the first year of working, I could be making around $1000000/year. And you want to just do an Eco boost into a ranger?! Basaaaahahahahahahahaha

djfllmn · #14 11-06-2014, 10:29 AM

Y u mad though? I'm with logan. You seem to want to hear oh yea it's possible no problem and not a lot of work. That's couldn't be any farther from the truth

ranger024x4 · #15 11-06-2014, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 04FordRanger

Thanks for the ACTUAL opinion. I have also looked into the potential cost of the project. I know it would be expensive.

you want my opinon.... well, I find myself asking 'whats the point'. If you think you will be making 100k per year, why not buy an f150? If you like the ranger's size, keep it around as a backup. To me, its a pointless waste of money and resources.