98 4wd ranger 302
 

what would be the easiest way to swap one in and what would i need.
i would like to keep it a manual.

ive never done this swap but i have done alot of research on it because i am planning on doing this on my 2000 2wd this summer. the easiest way is to get everything from an explorer, as far as keeping it a manual thats what im planning on doin too. most people just use a t-5 but im wanting something a little more heavy duty because my tires are bigger than anything that the t-5 was designed for, im gonna get a 5 speed out of a 302 f-150 or bronco and i guess thats what youre going to have to get to keep the 4wd. but you should talk to rwenzing, he knows alot about this swap

also check this out
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech...er_ranger.html

from what i understand, if you get a 5 speed out of an f-150 with the 5.0 then it will move the shifter around two inches forward, making it near impossible to use. Also, iirc you can get the 5spd out of an f-150 from 97-02? maybe and it will be what you need, since this transmission will keep the shifter in the same place, but will also bolt up to the 302. Yes, the 5.0 out of the explorer is the easiest to use, but you will have to do some custom work to keep the manual, but i'm not sure about the wiring. Sorry if this is really jumbled up but i hope i was of some help.

yeah thats true from what i understand it does move the shifter forward but (dont take my word on this) i read somewhere that you can take some of the shifter parts of your tranny and adapt them to the f-150 tranny because they are from the same tranny line but im not sure what all you have to take off. but as spless said the 97-02 keeps the shifter in the same place.

Don't completely take my word on it though, as I haven't done very much research on it