Just curious and new to everything Ford related

Jbarker90 · Jan 20, 2019

To start with I bought a 97 ranger 2wd 2.3 5 spd just as a gas saver and now that fuel economy isn't a issue for me I'm turning it into a project.. I bought a 05 Vic pi and am wondering on doing a full on swap but keeping the stick if possible with bell housing adapter just to save a little change.. but my main thing is I really want to fab the entire rear to fit my ranger suspension and all would this be possible I've not looked at the width but assuming it probably wouldn't be that difficult to adapt it to fit with shortening the tubes and putting axles out of a 8.8 explorer in place if I'm wrong in thinking this would be possible lmk all thoughts are welcome

Jim Oaks · Jan 20, 2019

Are you just wanting to narrow the rear so it would fit? Otherwise you could use some wider fiberglass bedsides like the offroad guys do to cover the tires.

adsm08 · Jan 20, 2019

I wouldn't be trying to make your 4-cyl trans mate to a 4.6 Interceptor. It stands a good chance of leaking internal parts onto the road. It you want to keep the stick it would be much better to look around for a trans from a 97+ 4.6 F-150.

The axle is also largely a lost cause. CVTCGM cars were coil spring in the back, where your Ranger is obviously leaf spring, so unless you are set on the idea of coil springs in the back (gonna loose payload) you have to swap perches, which has to happen on the Explorer axle. Then you still possibly have to get shafts for the Ex axle, and fuss around with trying to shorten the tubes.

Around me a complete tip-to-tip Explorer rear axle goes for about $100. Unless you are already experienced in the process you will probably have more than that tied up in materials and frustration trying to shorten tubes.

Also, be aware that the 4.6 is a wide engine and does not fit the Ranger engine bay well.

Ranger850 · Jan 20, 2019

I have stared down that road too. Unless you own or have access to a full out fabrication shop and damn good at it, I wouldn't try it. There is a ton of work involved.

rjaaaaaa2 · Jan 20, 2019

Ranger850 said:
I have stared down that road too. Unless you own or have access to a full out fabrication shop and damn good at it, I wouldn't try it. There is a ton of work involved.

This is actually quite an easy swap if you have a little mechanical skills and some metal working tools, (elect. welder, torch etc_). The biggest issue is the wiring change over of the computer.
The engine sits within 3/4" of the original motor mounts and trans mount, no steering mods needed.
look up project outrangerous by rjaaaaaa for a look at my swap.
Don't be scared, do it, its fun to drive and I kept the original 3.0 rear.

pjtoledo · Jan 20, 2019

we all have said "what if" and "hey that would be cool"., then we looked at our wallets and returned to reality. skill levels are kind of a bummer too.
we strongly encourage anybody to get involved and do stuff. but its a lot easier to install parts that are already tried and tested. a complete Explorer rear end is already 8.8, 31 splines, has the big outer bearings, and fits quite nicely under a Ranger with spring perch modifications. many have limited slip differentials from the factory.
check out the engine swap forums about the 4.6 and associated issues.

FYI,, a 4 cylinder Ecoboost swap will embarrass lots of other swaps.

Jbarker90 · Jan 21, 2019

Well my main interest in the full rerend swap is the 273 gears that's supposed to be in it according to my research and the possibility of a lower better ride out of the Vic rear suspension don't really care about loosing ability to haul biggest load it's had in the bed was a couple cases of beer lol

rusty ol ranger · Jan 21, 2019

I have a question....

Why not just drive the vic?

Tons of mods to make them run hard to, and 5/6sp swaps arnt hard to do on them.

Seems it be eaiser then trying to make your ranger act like a vic.

But its just a thought.

Jbarker90 · Jan 21, 2019

I'm not big on the car plus I bought it no title with intentions to derby it

adsm08 · Jan 21, 2019

Jbarker90 said:
Well my main interest in the full rerend swap is the 273 gears that's supposed to be in it according to my research and the possibility of a lower better ride out of the Vic rear suspension don't really care about loosing ability to haul biggest load it's had in the bed was a couple cases of beer lol

If you are more interested in the car suspension then by all means use the CV rear. And take good measurements before cutting, it may not be as wide at it looks.

I don't want to discourage anyone from anything, but I have seen too many awesome projects get started and never finished because it was only after the person got into it that they realized they were in over their heads, so I like to point out the difficulties and pitfalls of some stuff right up front, especially when someone comes in admitting openly they don't know much about Ford specific stuff.

Jbarker90 · Jan 21, 2019

Your right it seems like it would be quite a job and I don't know any more than the basics on Ford stuff always been bowtie lol but back on subject the idea of the suspension has just been rolling around in my head just because it don't seem like something anyone has done didn't know if it was even possible to make the set up fit in a road safe manor or if it was just because of the hastle it would be

Jbarker90 · Jan 21, 2019

And how much of a nightmare is the wiring on the swap will it affect the function of the gauge cluster sorry in advance for the ignorance on this but losing my cherry on this one

Uncle Gump · Jan 21, 2019

Most swaps are not plug and play... it would require a certain level of electrical knowledge and good schematics. But yes... you could most likely make the existing cluster function.

19Walt93 · Jan 21, 2019

If you decide to use an F150 5 speed be aware that there are 2 breeds of 4.6 sohc, Windsor and Romeo. The Crown is a Romeo engine, identified by a "W" as the 8th digit of the VIN and many trucks used Windsors-VIN code "2", if I remember right. Romeo's use 6 flywheel bolts, Windsors use 8. Mustangs were Romeos so you should be able to find a flywheel but it might be better to use a Mustang trans as well because I don't know if the parts will mix. Plus the Mustang is likely a Warner T45 and the F150 used a Mazda POS. Your original trans is a light duty Mazda POS which is still head and shoulders better than the Mitsubishi trans often used in the 80's.

adsm08 · Jan 21, 2019

19Walt93 said:
the F150 used a Mazda POS. Your original trans is a light duty Mazda POS which is still head and shoulders better than the Mitsubishi trans often used in the 80's.

The M5OD is hardly a POS. It isn't as heavy duty as a ZF, but it wasn't designed to be, and it stands head and shoulders above any other transmission put in a Ranger.

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