Big Motor, Little Truck. The BBR... aka "Tooth and Nail"

[dieselgeek]

Re: Big Motor, Little Truck. The BBR

This truck is so bitchin.

Keep us posted on progress!

-scott

[milkovich]

Re: Big Motor, Little Truck. The BBR

If I could have one weekend to have a GARAGE BINGE this thing would be soooooooo close to being drivable.

I know the feeling. :

[BBR]

Re: Big Motor, Little Truck. The BBR

It is now a fastback Ranger again. Meaning the sleeper I once had on it (to store the kid's carseats LOL) is finally off and stored away. Whoo Hoo! I liked the extra space it provided, but it was not so pretty to look at and made the cab noisy. The bed looks huge now.

Tonight I made a little block off plate I needed, ran the 1/0 cable for the battery + and ground, fiddled with the inner fender liners and monkeyed with a little more wiring.... That cable is heavy stuff... and expensive too.

[smack_talker]

Re: Big Motor, Little Truck. The BBR

BBR...cool truck. I have a question...how hard is a 302/T-5 swap in a ranger, do you think? I have a drivetrain and I am thininking of doing one. I have done some research on Ranger Power sports but would like a opinion from someone doing one. I realize your swap is alot more involved than the one I am thining about...thanks for any info.

[BBR]

Re: Big Motor, Little Truck. The BBR

Biggest question is...what year truck?

Earlier models are real easy. Mustang convertible engine mounts are the way to go. My 5.0L was not done that way, but if I were doing it again I would certainly use them. The T5 shifter will end up very close to the seat, but if you run a straight handle it will work fine. The toughest part is the clutch. Mustang cable stuff won't swap so you normally have to end up going with a hydraulic slave cylinder or a hyd t/o bearing. There are several tri-y headers that work well, and if you are at all concerned with performance, be sure to stay away from the Explorer exh manifolds, etc. They stink. 4.0L Explorer radiators are big enough for the 5.0L and fit well.

Later models can be more involved (electronics) and sometimes just getting a complete explorer/mountaineer donor motor is a good idea. The Exp has the most compact FED setup. I was tired of clearance issues when I did my 5.0L so I chopped a notch in my core support, moved the rad into the core support and then ran a flex fan and v-belt pulleys.

It was a fun truck that ran low 15.2's here at 3600' with explorer headers, E6 heads and an F-150 ECM. I did kill the T5 on the 2-3 shift because I wasn't running a shifter with the built-in stops.

[smack_talker]

Re: Big Motor, Little Truck. The BBR

I havent bought a truck yet so dont know what year I will find. I like the ones with the square headlights in them...dont know what year they are something around 92 i think. Thanks for the info. I have a complete drivetrain out of my 90 GT and was thinking of what I can put it in and have seen some V8 rangers and they look like fun. I know a guy in FLA with one and he keeps snapping clutch cables. I'm not sure if he has the hyd slave or not.

[dpaqu]

Re: Big Motor, Little Truck. The BBR

hows the progress?

one of my favorite projects

[BBR]

Re: Big Motor, Little Truck. The BBR

Thanks! I haven't had much time to work on it lately.

I did wire up the fuel pump, finish some wiring in the engine bay, ran a new oil pressure gauge line (plastic to copper), ran MAP signal line to Megasquirt and measured for a new v-belt and heater hoses last Sat night.

As soon as I get the belt on, I can start putting the radiator, hoses, tranny coolers and fans in. Slowly but surely. ;D

[BBR]

Re: Big Motor, Little Truck. The BBR

Worked a little today:









I need hoses now.

[milner351]

Re: Big Motor, Little Truck. The BBR

LOOKING GREAT!

I have the 8.8, 4.10, and C4 for mine, need to see my buddy to get the C4 built, then get the truck back into the shop, and the thrashing begins - I'll post pics once I have some.

Thanks again for the inspiration!

[dpaqu]

Re: Big Motor, Little Truck. The BBR

If you flip from the first page to this one and it looks almost easy.



I just looked at a ranger for sale with a leaking head gasket (coolant) it was an '84 and I could not fold myself into that thing without putting my feet under the pedals. I guess I forgot how small these small trucks could be.

[BBR]

Re: Big Motor, Little Truck. The BBR

Ha ha. I'm 6'3" and fit ok I guess. I haven't tried it with a helmet on yet though.... :o

[BBR]

Re: Big Motor, Little Truck. The BBR

Updating this thread.... It runs.... and scares my kids.

http://tinypic.com/player.php?v=2v9qi5u&s=3

;D

[Scott Liggett]

Re: Big Motor, Little Truck. The BBR

Nothing makes a man more proud than making his kids cry every time he starts his car. Now, take it around the neighborhood and scare the rest of the kids.


Sounds really nice.

[BBR]

Re: Big Motor, Little Truck. The BBR

"EFF"