I know he'd have to upgrade his trans (to a monster box) and swap out his driveshaft and put some traction bars and some slicks on there... But will a 5.4 v8 fit in the Rangers engine compartment? He has a 3.0 now and another friend of mine has a 2000 Lightning and he's getting a new built block... So he'll have a stock Lightning block and an eaton supercharger "sitten" around his garrage. If we got an intake for that what else do we need to throw that in a Ranger? He'd be able to get the stock heads off the 2000 Lightning also. So he'll have the bottom end stock block, stock heads and the stock eaton off a 2000 Lightning, what else does he need?

I figure he needs
an intake
driveshaft
monster box tranny
thinner radiator
What about computer?

We're just throwing the idea around... Svt did it a while back and ran a 13.3 with the Lightning motor in the ranger. We are wondering if there's anything we can do with this motor and stock blower we have sitting around. Thanks, Shane

2002 Ranger Lightning
[IMG]
SVT Ranger

 

Anything can be done, it's just a matter of how much money you want to spend. The modern day engine swap can be a mechanics nightmare with computers, wiring and emmisions to contend with. I thought your friend ventilated his block in his Lightning?

 

SVT did a lot more than that. That's basically a Lightning with a Ranger body on it The 5.4 won't clear your frame without major cutting, and it's downhill from there. It's been attempted a few times. I only know of one Ranger with a mod motor, and he said he'd never do it again I'll see if I can find the writeup anywhere.

You'll be looking at months of work and many custom fabricated parts

 

Be worth the headaches if you felt like investing the time and the money. Keep it as stock looking as possible too... lol

 

The firewall will have to be moved back also. It has been done of course, but if you have to ask if it can be done you shouldn't attempt it. Swapping the 5.4 will be major work. I no what it takes to do a transplant in a Ranger(obviously form my screen name) and while a small block by itself can be easy this swap would not be. HOWEVER I never want to discourage progress. You'll just have to make up your own mind. Who would have thought a twin turbocharged 337 would have fit under a stock Ranger hood

Just a opinion..
Thanks Mike

 

i appreciate all the replies... this was an idea we were just throwing around while slow at work... I work with my friend with the ranger and we just get thinking about things and here's one of our wonderful ideas... We were just being curious and were looking for more info on the topic. thanks for the replies, Shane