is it possible and/or smart to put a 302 engine in my ford ranger?

Question

well, it has a 6 cylinder in it now, but the truck is only a 2 wheel drive. so, what i wanted to do is maybe put air-shocks on it and put a supercharged 302 engine in my ranger. i guess i want to make a sleeper truck. you know, pull up beside a mustang or something at a red-light and smoke the **** out of it. i just want to know how possible it is to do this, and if it would be worth it, because i dont know how good a v-8 will fit into a small v-6 engine compartment, and i also want to know how much trouble it would be to do it, if it is possible.
p.s. give me suggestions if you have another way to get alot of power out of my ranger, and dont say, "buy a chevy" or something like that. i like my little ranger.

Answer 1

Might not be wise.

First, the frame of the truck might not handle the torque and forces that a 302 would put on it (broken cross members, warped rails).

Second, the front suspension will have to beefed wayyyyyyyyy up! The suspension is designed to handle a V-6 not a 302.

Third, you're gonna have to put a couple of hundred pounds of weight in the bed, above the axle. Otherwise all you're gonna do is burn up tires...If you haven't noticed; pick-ups are very light in the rear end.

Fourth, I don't think you can shoe-horn a 302 into a compartment meant to hold a V-6. Not without major mods to the firewall, motor mounts, fender wells, hood, etc.....

Lastly, you've asked about using "superpower" to get the Ranger moving; with all that extra weight from the 302 and the speeds you expect out of it....let's talk about brakes. Pay particular attention to the brakes, it won't do you much good to look down and see Warp 1 on the speedometer and have it dawn on you that you have to brake for the curve coming up. It could just ruin your whole day.

Sounds great on paper but practical application will be very, very expensinve.

Answer 2

I own an 89 mustang. It has a 302 in it. I think that it might be possible to put it in a ranger. Depending on year. If possible look at the motor carriage of a 88 thru 93 mustang and see if they are close in comparison. My 89 is rather small. I do think it is possible and would boost the power. But you might want to find out if the truck can take such torque. As far as the rear end and drive ttrain.

Answer 3

It is possible, to put a V-8 in that ranger. I don't remember who sells the book to get the parts and info to do that though. Maybe do a forum search for V-8 rangers. Just an idea. Also, have fun trying to take off good with no rear wheel weight when smoking the **** out of any car for that matter. Least you'll get attention with them smokey burn outs.

Answer 4

There are kits for this conversion, there are quite a few Rangers rumbling around with V-8's in them. The only problem is the tendency for a Ranger to be too light in the as$-end for too much power.(Hint: a Bronco radiator will fit real well with the drilling of a couple of mounting holes)

Answer 5

yes and have fun, i put a 302 in a volvo wagon and let me tell you, it was a sleeper and it was so much fun. you can shoehorn any motor in anything if you have the mechanical ability and deep pockets because it aint cheap. oh lose the thought of air shocks, thats so 70's and your traction would go to $hit

Answer 6

yes it is possible, but more common to do a chevy 350 conversion.
plus it will be ford tough, with a heartbeat, j/k!! answer is yes and yes if u are ready for a treat of horsepower in a small truck

Answer 7

i did it to mine i had the 2.9 i took it out and put in a 5.0 from a mustang GT everything will bolt right up and work you need to change the motor mounts and some wiring changes and thats it everything else will work so when someone says it wont work dont beleive that i have done it

Answer 8

i am a chevy guy... No lil 302 ford engines... Chevy Tough..... (69' Chevy Camaro)!!!