Ford Ranger engine swap

[Fishaholic]

I have a 84 ford ranger with the long bed. It currently has a 2.3 4 cylinder. I was going to just rebuild the engine but now I am going to throw a bigger engine in it. I was thinking about the 2.9 v6 or the 302 v8 I was wondering if could get some advice and what people though. I have alot of room for everything to fit. Im going to put in a automatic tranny and a new rearend.


thanks
ddjj

[turkeyfeather]

Don't forget a new driveline as well.

[gasman]

A friend has one with an 302 and get 16 MPG.

With gas prices as they are, is it worth the extra expense 

[jay.sharkbait]

4BT

[Fishaholic]

A friend has one with an 302 and get 16 MPG.

With gas prices as they are, is it worth the extra expense 

Thats why I asked. I had a 2.9 in a bronco 2 I had and tuned it up and it would outrun my wifes honda in a 1/4 mile. It got 22 to 25 depeding on my driving.



I use to have a 76 ford with a 302 and i loved the power but it got 15 to 20 miles to the gallon.

[Mudman]

I have a 84 ford ranger with the long bed. It currently has a 2.3 4 cylinder. I was going to just rebuild the engine but now I am going to throw a bigger engine in it. I was thinking about the 2.9 v6 or the 302 v8 I was wondering if could get some advice and what people though. I have alot of room for everything to fit. Im going to put in a automatic tranny and a new rearend.


thanks
ddjj

Awesome!  Do it.  Get a police car or crown vic. civil and swap it computer injection and all.  Lots of Hp a good auto tran and gear ratio and probably pull 20-25 mpg hwy!

[buglebuster]

4BT

CUMMINS!

In all seriousness, the 302 is the most practical if you upgrade the rear end, and if its a 4wd the front axle to. I would steer clear of the 2.8 and 2.9 those are horrible motors, i had one and it got horrible mileage, about 12 in town. If i was gonna swap i would go v8 since the mileage will be similar.
Another option which would be awesome, but is a chev motor would be a 4.3, it would be about the same amount of work seeing as how your planning on a different motor anyways, and will have to rewire it.

[fastdam]

Why? With all the time and resources It will take I would think you could just buy something that will do what you want.

[Fishaholic]

Why? With all the time and resources It will take I would think you could just buy something that will do what you want.

Or I can do a engine swap on my 84 ford and have what I want.

[stevemiller]

v8 will use about the same as the v6 in that truck.the 4 is under powered and uses more fuel than it would in a grocery getter any way.as soon as you start working the smaller engines they use just as much fuel.if your driving back and forth to work ya a geo metro works great but if your gonna climb any hills at all hunting fishing just going up the pass forget it it will drink just as much fuel.   

[Duffer]

Why is a reasonable question. The OP has his reasons.

Mine (and I've done lots of this kinda stuff in my youth) was because I really enjoyed the challenge, liked 'turning wrenches' as a hobby and would have something different and cool when I was done!

Then sometimes it was just what's available when needed. Like when I stuffed a 455 Olds into a '68 3/4 ton Chevy longbed. Had a truck that needed an engine. Had a good runner engine. Viola!

Go for it is what I say. and ENJOY! 

[stevemiller]

  

[fastdam]

Well I have kniwn a few guys that put V8 engines in thier toyotas. It looks like fun, but,i would imagine the extra wieght up front would cause issues with handling. Do you have to beef up the front suspension if your going to put,a 302 in a ranger?       Im just speculating.

[Bofire]

  I met a guy in Tenino that put a 302 he had, in a Ranger 4x4, took him over a year. He had tons of troubles with wiring and switches. He said he had to do a new witing harness.
 
Carl

[dewandgin]

I will try to find the link but there is tons of info on putting a V-8 into a Ranger out there.
I have done probably 10 V-8 into S-10's (2wd and 4wd) and they fly and get decent mileage if you can keep your foot out of it.