Hey guys, im brand new to the site, and I have a few questions about my truck. Whats the average life span on the motor, how many miles? and I'm sure you all have seen this question dozens of times, but I'm wondering about putting a little 3.9 Cummins in my ranger. It has about 120K on it, and I'm really wanting to make a swap. Any tips on where to look for the engine, what ill have to do to make it happen? what kind of bill am i looking at paying? anything you can help me with would be appreciated. Thanks alot guys

First, which motor? Are you talking about the 4bt(3.9 cummins) or one of the ranger motors? Mind you the vast difference between Gas and Diesel motors, however either way it depends on the maintenance of the vehicle. For instance, my ranger has 164,000 on the 4.0L and i'm expecting it to go another 100,000 before i do rebuild unless is start putting turbos or a supercharger on it.

Where do you live? The old Frito trucks all had the 4bt cummins, and you can usually find one for sale, also a lot of farm equipment like swathers have the 4bt in em too. Just gotta keep your eyes peeled but expect to pay around 4,000 for one, roughly depending on how complete it is, and how many miles. I do know you'll have to upgrade your suspension cause the 4bt is double the weight from the 4.0L Don't remember the numbers exactly but i do KNOW its double the weight, and you'll have to redo the fuel lines all the way through i bet, engine compartment room?, bigger axles to take the torque and horses. Prolly need at least a dana 60 or ford 9" for the back and a dana 44 for the front at a minimum! Basically you're looking to take the frame and body of the truck and redo it from suspension, drivetrain(engine, transmission, t-case, front AND back axle, drivlines) So i'd say you better expect to be ready to invest 12,000 pretty quick IF you do it yourself and HELL OF A LOT more if you don't hahaha Its a good idea, but the money you'd end up putting it you could go buy a dodge with cummins in it already. and in all likely hood you'd have to get those axles customized cause they would come from a full size truck and they'd have to be narrowed to be street legal(in WA for example). there are some videos of a ranger with the 4bt in it on youtube. Just seach for ranger cummins or something like that.

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93 ranger ext. cab 4.0L auto 6" SJ/custom lift--37" super swamper truxs M/T tires--lock rite locker w/ 4.56 gears up front--warn hubs--exploder 8.8 w/ disc brakes 4.56 gears and detriot locker--one-piece driveline--bushwacker cut-out flares--Bilstein 5150 shocks--2 10" xcite subs w/ 1600W Crunch amp-- tinted windows

waiting for: dual steering stabilizer, put on 3" body lift(in my room), dual shock setup, electric fan, possible SAS with a waggy D44

If you get a cummins from a farm tractor or any tractor you will need a different fuel pump.

Where I work I build cummins at least once a week

They are not cheap parts are not cheap

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Is your truck a 4x4? If so, look at that hunk of bad engineering that comes out of the frame in the front, that place the rack and pinion sits. That there is gonna be your biggest problem in droppin in new beef.

I know you can fit a 302 in the IFS Rangers, and even a 241mod (things the size of a 460) but it's gonna take some work.

If your worried about engine life, take care of it. If you're worried about "power" then regear the diffs.

If you go though with it, enjoy fabbin engine mounts, hackin up the firewall, tranny and t case cross members, drive shafts, and all that fun. Take pictues

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2000 Ford Ranger XLT: SAS, Sliders, Bumpers, Gears, Lockers, Shafts, 33gal gas tank, Shortened from 130 to 112" WB, Home brew bed and spare carriers,

Receiving: tons and a 351w stroked to a 427.

1972 Ford F250 "Explorer", 390fe Big block, lime green

Receving: 14bolt rear w/ disks, cam, 650cfm 4 barrel, intake, exhaust,

your motor should be good for at least another 100,000 mile. with a motor swap you will also have no gauges, so that would also have to be looked at

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98 4.0 2wd-----supercharger fully build heads cam...all show with go......3 time world of wheels champ 5 time national winner


lots of ranger parts for sale leftovers from my 94/96
96 sitting on the frame, waiting to go lower


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You can get the gauges to work. But it will be alot of work.

The 4bt is all mechanical! So gauges are like an older vehicle. You can get a 4bt off eBay for less than 2 grand. Some also come mated to a Chevy turbo 400 tranny. A good tranny with many options if your truck is 4x4. You stock 8.8 can handle the stock cummins until you really start lighting it up, same with the frame rails.

This thread is darn near two years old. Thanks for the info though.

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2011 Ranger XLT, 4X4, 4 door Super Cab. 4.0L, 5 Speed MT, 3.73 8.8" open differential, Jason Pace cap
1999 Honda CR-V EX, RT4WD, 2.0L, 5 Speed MT, 4.56 open differential
1998 Ranger XLT, 4X2 Regular Cab, 2.5L, 5 Speed MT, SWB, 3.45 7.5" open differential, RABS, Leer 122 "High Boy" Cap