Ls swap 1997 Ranger 2wd
 

So about two years ago I bought this 1997 Ranger 2wd with 2.3l and 5spd. Paid $1600 for it and drove it as a daily driver. Put about 100 miles a day on it for 2 years and never had any problems or issues.
http://www.fordrangerforum.com/membe...627667-1-a.jpg

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I took the truck to a local radar run to see how slow it was and ended up wrecking the trans. But still got a trophy for slowest vehicle at the track. The truck burned the tires thru 1st gear and when I grabbed 2nd there was a loud bang and then nothing. So like anybody else I just rammed it back into 1st and held it to the boards, 43mph in 1st gear and like 30 seconds in the 1/4mi.
http://www.fordrangerforum.com/membe...0-145145-a.jpg

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So I went to local Junk yard and picked these up a Lm7 5.3l and 4l60e from a 2002 Silverado with 100,000 miles. $700 Total came with two sets of coils maf sensor and trailblazer SS torque converter.
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Now the fun part.
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Had some issues with clearance, had to cut the heater box and fab a steering shaft with 3 joints in order to clear the headers. I tried all of the gm production manifolds and block hugger headers and nothing fit without taking big chunks of frame out. So I committed to the turbo headers. I used 78-79 Datsun 280z LS Swap mounts from Dirty Dingo and they bolted right in.
http://www.fordrangerforum.com/membe...atsun-280z.jpg
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Had to get a radiator support mine was rusted out, but on the plus side it was easy to work on with it gone.
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Here's how I solved the exhaust problem true duals, Magnaflow Magnapak Mufflers 14'' all welded or v-banded together. The exhaust will exit out the bed sides once the truck is up and running. It kills me to cut this box up seeing as it has no rust so I'm waiting till then.
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http://www.fordrangerforum.com/membe...84082-lots.jpghttp://www.fordrangerforum.com/membe...eader-wrap.jpg

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For the fuel system I bought a 20 gallon fuel cell from Summit and mounted it in the bed (not a fan of cutting a 7''x11'' hole in the bed). Also mounted a tubular 30'' trans cooler + battery in the bed. The kill switch/200amp circuit breaker is now mounted just under passenger side bed rail. I used all -6an line and a Walbro 255 fuel pump along with a corvette filter/regulator.
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I got most of the big stuff done, I ordered a PSI Conversion Harness & PCM, TCI Fastgate shifter and set of Caltrac bars to go on the 8.8'' rear end that I have sitting at the shop. I am at a standstill till spring since I cant get to the truck during the winter. But Once the snow melts this things gonna get done fast.
http://www.fordrangerforum.com/membe...rame-motor.jpg
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Re: Ls swap 1997 Ranger 2wd
 

Badass, and clean work man.

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Re: Ls swap 1997 Ranger 2wd
 

Re: Ls swap 1997 Ranger 2wd
 

Very nice and clean... Thank you for sharing, can't wait till spring - Gett'er Done!

Re: Ls swap 1997 Ranger 2wd
 

Thanks

Re: Ls swap 1997 Ranger 2wd
 

Re: Ls swap 1997 Ranger 2wd
 

When it's done the washer jug and coolant jug will have a heat shield and the master cylinder is about 8" away from the headers so it should be ok if not I'll make a shield.

Re: Ls swap 1997 Ranger 2wd
 

You're a dick. Come do mine next.

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:)

Re: Ls swap 1997 Ranger 2wd
 

Re: Ls swap 1997 Ranger 2wd
 

Re: Ls swap 1997 Ranger 2wd
 

Very nice work!

Re: Ls swap 1997 Ranger 2wd
 

Pcm will be mounted behind airbag cover panel and wiring will go behind glove box and go through passenger floor/ firewall. Tci fastgate shifter should be here tomorrow.

Re: Ls swap 1997 Ranger 2wd
 

Got the shifter installed and adjusted, all the plumbing is buttoned up. Throttle cable off the Silverado fit with zero modification.
Intake is all done and Dirty Dingo idler relocation bracket installed I had to get a 72'' belt since I'm not running power steering.
Installed 8.8 rear end with 4.10 gear ratio and 10'' drums.
New shoes, drums, hardware, adjusters and wheel cylinders.
I temporarily installed a mini spool until I get some extra cash or it explodes and breaks an axle.

Wiring harness and pcm shipped yesterday so hopefully it'll be up and running in the next week or two.

Re: Ls swap 1997 Ranger 2wd
 

Harness came in and I got it installed. The truck fired right up and ran smooth. Now I've just got to go through and clean up the wiring and run battery cables, fix one leaky v-band and put the new driveshaft in. Pics are coming soon.

Re: Ls swap 1997 Ranger 2wd
 

Love this thread been thinking about ls swap on my b2300 this winter def has me interested.