My friend has found himself a 1986 Ranger 2wd, regular cab with a 4 cylinder and a 5 speed, and he wants to put some good-size rims on it (19s) and he wants to put a 351w in it. He can't seem to find any information or any help with it except for people telling him to just put a 302 in it. I think that he could get a 351w in there no prob, and I think it may even be as good of or a better choice than the 302. Any thoughts on this? Which one would you all go for? Pros and cons? Why or why not? Thanks in advance, y'all!

 

Check out:
www.therangerstation.com

They have a forums for different engine swaps and more.

There's guy that lives near my sister. I have never met him but have seen his truck several times. Canary Yellow, Fiberglass step side, V8, lifted with 33's. Great looking truck.

 

I believe the concept behind using the 302 over the 351 is the 302 handles lighter weight aplications better. My sister's late 60's Fairlane has a built 302 and that thing is a beast. I don't have any specifics on any of this however, it's just the impression that I got seeing a few similar applications.

 

I think people keep saying "302" because that is probably the most common non-stock engine swap for this truck.

The benefit of going 302 is that it is proven to fit, not "it should or I think it will. It definitely will because so many have done it.

Second benefit is because it has been done so many times, there is a plethora of info on it as well as easy access to the needed parts and upgrades to do the swap.

A 351 would be overkill unless the intent is as a dragster.

 

I think that a dragster may be his intent, and I also think that a regular cab long bed 2wd Ranger will FLY with a 351w.

 

HI!... I have a "83" PRO STREET FORD RANGER. Reg-cab, short-box. It has a 351W stroked to 408CI. Screw the 302. I used to smoke all the 302 RANGER's around here when I drove mine on the street. Torque rules! Mines making about 713H.P at 7600RPM if I remember correctly. That's N/A of coarse. If you have any questions just shoot me a e-mail at nnewman@sympatico.ca. This is the only pic I could find of mine. This is about 7 years ago coming out of the chassis shop, before paint.


http://www.maillouxchassis.com/neil_newman/newman5.jpg
http://www.maillouxchassis.com/neil_newman/newman3.jpg
http://www.maillouxchassis.com/neil_newman/newman6.jpg
http://www.maillouxchassis.com/neil_newman/newman4.jpg