98v70dad
Active Member
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2017
- Messages
- 325
- Reaction score
- 38
- Points
- 28
- Location
- GA
- Vehicle Year
- 1996
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Engine Size
- 3.0L
- Transmission
- Automatic
- 2WD / 4WD
- 2WD
I've got a 96 ranger that is in near new shape but I'm tired of its lack of power and mediocre gas mileage I bought a new big v-8 truck about a month ago so now the ranger is an extra, meaning I can work on it and temporarily drive the new truck to work (it gets even worse mpg's). The ranger is old enough that in a year I don't need to worry about passing emissions. Anyhow I would like power, torque and good gas mileage.
I know the small block V-8 is the easiest but the mpgs are just too low for my long drive to work. I only have a small shop with basic hand tools and a drill press - no welding set-up but I was a certified welder at one time a long time ago (could always buy a welder). I'm an engineer (been wrenching for 45 years) who is good at DIY and nothing really scares me about any of the swaps I've read about on here. But my limited tools and concern about having the project turn into a time and money black hole makes me cautious. The guy up the street has done a few swaps and he is willing to give some help if I get in a bind.
The TDI swap really appeals to me but it seems like a crazy amount of work. It seems a v-6 ecoboost would be a good candidate but I have no idea what sort of effort that would take. Can anybody give me some good ideas on where to start?
I know the small block V-8 is the easiest but the mpgs are just too low for my long drive to work. I only have a small shop with basic hand tools and a drill press - no welding set-up but I was a certified welder at one time a long time ago (could always buy a welder). I'm an engineer (been wrenching for 45 years) who is good at DIY and nothing really scares me about any of the swaps I've read about on here. But my limited tools and concern about having the project turn into a time and money black hole makes me cautious. The guy up the street has done a few swaps and he is willing to give some help if I get in a bind.
The TDI swap really appeals to me but it seems like a crazy amount of work. It seems a v-6 ecoboost would be a good candidate but I have no idea what sort of effort that would take. Can anybody give me some good ideas on where to start?