86 ranger 4wd 302 swap

[Hrphilipson]

Ok so i know this is played out, but im currently in the process of mine that was completed until i swamped the initial 302 engine, and now im swapping in a new short block. I believe i have been able to accomplish something i have yet to see (if im wrong please correct me). I have the foxbody front end accessory drive, with foxbody 3 core radiator with dual 12" fans, and a/c going in this go round. Also will be tackling an affordable set of custom 1⅝" mid length headers using the hedman 88400's as a base.
Run down of the build is as follows:
3 in body lift
4 inch suspension
94 f150 from and rear axles 8.8/dana44 ttb
4wd AOD with 4r70w internals and manual valvebody (long story how this transpired vs a manual 4r70w build)
94 cherokee steering shaft shortened
Convertable motor mounts
This is all regarding overall fitment. Yes the foxbody accessory setup is very tight but it does clear. The header pipe kit was $120 from speedway, and ill be welding them, which is why i say affordable custom.
I will be posting photos as i go along this go round.
I figure this will offer other options for those attempting a V8 4wd build on a "budget"

 

[bobbywalter]

i have been building that way since 89. old granada type stuff and early bronco stuff was the go to at first but that stuff was already drying up... starting about 93 the fox accessory drive was my preference because they were common and cheap.... the truck stuff is too tall for low 2wd and fitting the stock steering gear but using the econoline setup can net you a saginaw p pump for a nice strong quiet pump and better if you want hydro assist. not sure what size tires or style of off road one uses.

a former member used to build brackets that allowed a bolt in swap for ttb 44 beams...
i have those brackets that allow you to bolt in a fullwidth dana 44 ttb by allowing a second holt to be drilled inboard... but i have dana 60s now.

i hope to build another ttb rig though similar to what you are doing.. but likely with a modern powertrain.

i have been seeing alot of toyotas and jeeps with built ttbs more and more....

they used to make fun of us.

the headers seem like alot of work...but that is skill building so a worthy effort.

i assume you will be doing a swingset custom setup on steering?

 

[Hrphilipson]

The route i took on the dana 44, was ranger drop brackets, then used an f250 passenger inner axle shaft cut down an inch, then tapered and cleaned the splines. Effectively shortened the axle 2" but direct bolt in from there.
Steering wise, i used f150 tie rods, shortened and then flipped the taper in the knuckles. Bolted right to a ranger drop pitman.
The steering pump is the same between the foxbody and ranger, and i had just replaced it before the swap. Also lines need minimal change. Made it simpler for me and off the shelf parts in a pinch.
Using the Hedman 88400 as a base, building the new headers shouldnt be horrible. Really just moving them away from the block a little, lengthening them past the firewall some, and some time with an expander. Skill building for sure

 

[bobbywalter]

yup....i use a combination of dodge chev and ford parts with the steering. i have the taper reamers...so i can make what i want..


that stock/fox/ranger/150 pump is a pile of crap...they dont hold up to abuse at all...but they do work. just get a lil noisy. with just q35s i would overheat the hell out of it pretty quick even with the regular hd cooler. the saginaw pump with a big cooler definitely holds up decent.

you may never have an issue ... but if you do that is a way to look into. just data.

for long travel using the ttb hd stuff i run the mark williams type 31 spline yoke with the 1350 joint...have to grind it a bit for max travel but it goes on the dana 50 joint and allows for max travel.

the normal 760 type joints get a bit tricky. they started offering the RCV shafts which is the way to go if your gonna run power and tire through it.