hey everybody,
i have a 1990 ford ranger and i would like to convert it to a V-8. it is a 2.9L v6 XLT extended cab. I would like to build a Ranger with a 1996-2001 cobra engine or a fast 5.0 engine on a budget, but i would also like to drop the truck a couple inches. here are my ideas

Mustang II front clip
chassis reenforcements
Tubbing the Rear for wider tires
A Five or six speed tranny
ford 8.8 rearend


What else do i need to have or do to make this dream come true on a budget since i am still in highschool.

 

If you have a 2wd ranger and going 5.0 you dont need a mustang 2 front k member and all that stuff and the 5 spd trans you will need to cut your floor more because it sits farther back then the 2.9 did. and the ranger already has the 8.8 rear in it but you could upgrade to a explorer 373 locking rear disc which i think bolts right up im not sure. frame is already strong but you could box it if you were bored. my friend just did it with a 88 2wd ext cab and the suckers faster then my 82 but its a fun little truck and great conversion.

 

what about a 4.6 4v cobra engine? will it fit in without any major problems?

 

i think you will run into problems with the 4.6 because its so much wider. i've wanted to do this to my 93 splash...i would do a 5.0 (exploder gt40p's and intake) with a t-5 then swap the rear with the explorer's 8.8 with the disc brakes. i think it would be pretty quick just like that.

 

peformsnce automotive warehouse has all conversion kit stuff ya need to change it over...i think summit or jegs has 1 too..

 

i am also planning on tubbing the rear a bit so i could put wider tires in.. how wide of tries could i go without tubbing the rear? i would like to drop the truck also.. would that be a problem?

 

A company named either James Duff Enterprise or Jim Duff enterprise makes everything you need to do the v8 conversion. If you are tubbing the rear to run tires bigger then 315s then you should just look into getting a chopped and narrowed 9 inch. what you should do is put the motor and trans in first and drive it around and fix all the little bugs in it before you go on to chopping and playing with the frame.

 

how wide of tires can i run without tubbing the bed?