more uncommon engine swap options

[410Fortune]

So get some conversion fiberglass to convert the 92 to look like a 95-01

Ricks orange pumpkin is a 92 underneath

So I had it backwards whoopsie
Okay okay so you want to ttb a gen ii, that can be done, has been done and will be done again.

I agree one way to put a ttb under a gen ii truck is to chop and hack the frame at the firewall

Or even better

you could just put a gen ii body on a gen I frame
People don’t realize from the a pillar back the 91-94 is the same as the 95-01 frame and all
So instead of having a weak section of frame all plated and chopped together just start with a gen I frame and do the cosmetic work.
I will be building a ttb sport trac I’m going to start with a gen I frame and box it fully

 

[ryboj]

So get some conversion fiberglass to convert the 92 to look like a 95-01

Ricks orange pumpkin is a 92 underneath

I actually prefer the look of the classier Gen1 to be honest, so it's not about the "look" cosmetically at all, in any of this. It's about getting the best value for dollars spent, since labor is something I have to spend heavier on, as I'm not doing the wrenching and fab work.

Thank you for that extra info above too. Gen 2 body on Gen 1 frame, haha, the options keep growing... I have to think about this one. You'd still be migrating all the gen 2 drivetrain over to the gen 1 though, no?

 

[410Fortune]

Put the 302 in the gen I and update your seats and paint

Similar to my bii

Easier then a frame grapht

 

[ryboj]

Put the 302 in the gen I and update your seats and paint

Similar to my bii

Easier then a frame grapht

Wondering why in his mind (the fabricators), the other is easier from a time perspective to him? As noted from many on this board and others, the 5.0 swap is far from simple and not easy, but very involved. My seats are the really nice ones, but padding is giving out in areas, and yeah, paint will cost a bit more than it use to, as labor costs have sky rocketed across industries as you know. The 1.5k good paint job is long gone, haha.

 

[Josh P]

he’s thinking it will be easier (meaning less labor overall by a sizable margin) to do the above vs swapping in the entire V8 setup or the alike in my gen1.

You'd be doing a gen 1 V8 swap wrapped around a gen 2 body.

 

[410Fortune]

When ford shoe horned the gt40 302 into the explorer in 1996 they did us ttb guys a huge favor. They basically packaged the sbf and half ton auto to fit in a ranger

All you have to do it tuck your radiator, add a dual sump pan, re locate the oil filter. Get/fab some engine mounts, fab trans mount and then it’s just wiring and plumbing

The wiring has been hacked the info is all out there now
I did my bii back in 2005 and she still runs fantastic
289 and 302 have been going into rangers since the ranger came out in 1983
Your ttb truck is essentially a gen I ranger as far as the engine bay is concerned, except you eve have another 1.5” of radiator
Clearance (89+)

 

[ryboj]

When ford shoe horned the gt40 302 into the explorer in 1996 they did us ttb guys a huge favor. They basically packaged the sbf and half ton auto to fit in a ranger

All you have to do it tuck your radiator, add a dual sump pan, re locate the oil filter. Get/fab some engine mounts, fab trans mount and then it’s just wiring and plumbing

The wiring has been hacked the info is all out there now
I did my bii back in 2005 and she still runs fantastic
289 and 302 have been going into rangers since the ranger came out in 1983
Your ttb truck is essentially a gen I ranger as far as the engine bay is concerned, except you eve have another 1.5” of radiator
Clearance (89+)

Yes, the 1/2 ton sbf swap into these particular vehicles, ranger\expo have been the quintessential swap for some time, no doubt, and something I've had in mind since 2010 or so when I got my very first gen 1.

Nice to also here how these conversions have lasted the test of time, even in your case, when done properly, which is also appreciated.

So, when you add it all up, parts and esp. labor, how does it really stack up against the grafting of the front section frame of the gen 1 into a gen 2? That's the money question. It might lay in the perspective of who has done either, but maybe not both, to try and understand the ease of transformation here from a time perspective. Also, I would not want to sacrifice frame strength, and so would venture to say the reworking would be up to task based on my knowledge of the fabricator who has done much bigger and better things than this, and if even remotely questionable, I would steer away from it.

Also have to mention, my window seals, all the larger rear ones, and front glass is also shot, and water is getting into body. But for the year, mine is in pretty awesome shape.

 

[Josh P]

Yes, the 1/2 ton sbf swap into these particular vehicles, ranger\expo have been the quintessential swap for some time, no doubt, and something I've had in mind since 2010 or so when I got my very first gen 1.

Nice to also here how these conversions have lasted the test of time, even in your case, when done properly, which is also appreciated.

So, when you add it all up, parts and esp. labor, how does it really stack up against the grafting of the front section frame of the gen 1 into a gen 2? That's the money question. It might lay in the perspective of who has done either, but maybe not both, to try and understand the ease of transformation here from a time perspective. Also, I would not want to sacrifice frame strength, and so would venture to say the reworking would be up to task based on my knowledge of the fabricator who has done much bigger and better things than this, and if even remotely questionable, I would steer away from it.

Also have to mention, my window seals, all the larger rear ones, and front glass is also shot, and water is getting into body. But for the year, mine is in pretty awesome shape.

You'd be money ahead, way ahead by putting a V8 in the 1st gen. 302 or 351w are good options, my vote is for the 351w.

 

[410Fortune]

You still have a conversion on your hands
You still have to wire up your dash to talk to the new v8 and you still have to come up with engine mounts oil filter re locate dual sump pan etc
I don’t see what you are saving except now your frame has been chopped cut welded

 

[ryboj]

Much to contemplate guys and thank you for more inputs, as they really help give a larger and clearer picture of the tasks at hand. Will share this thread with the fabricator to review.

 

[410Fortune]

I have converted 1983 all the way to 2007
Trucks to 5.0 v8
I have done several other projects like putting explorer drivetrain into early bronco and putting a 49 f1 body onto a 97 explorer 5.0 awd chassis. I have done many many conversions. Never did I chop cut and weld frames

The only time we make modifications to the frame like this is maybe for exhaust clearance or if you are completely changing your suspension and replacing the removed metal with tube and cage.
A frame notch for axle clearance or a notch to fit a header is one thing, but a complete frame grapht… imo you are better off just making the engine fit your truck

The 302 has been packaged to fit the ttb frame for you already there is no need to re invent the wheel

 

[ryboj]

Yes, totally get it 410. Knowing my fabricator, he’s done extremely physically (even from a design perspective) challenging projects over the years and his familiarity with my ttb system and having tweaked on and finalized the install of the double steering setup, he seems way more comfortable (and believes he can do this quicker from a time perspective) with the grafting aspect. However, and more importantly to your point, if he was versed in the online docs/threads of the conversion process instead, he would most likely go that route, like what you mentioned, since it’s a proven and well documented outcome.

Another side of this, drivetrain swap, is having a donor vehicle instead of trying to source all the parts separately, and assuming the parts you get actually run and having to deal with that nonsense. I digress.

We shall see. Nice thing is, seems there are a number of doras and mounts to choose from within a reasonable distance of me.

 

[ryboj]

Update: Just going to be too much cash to do it right, at least with the local fab people here locally after many discussions. Meanwhile, noticed it's had a misfire for a few months now and thought it was just one of the plugs, wires, or coil, like nothing too serious. Come to find out, after checking the plugs, one wasn't looking too great, and one of the cylinders is misfiring as expected, and the leakdown test across all cylinders showed one down about 83% compression, and one of the injectors wasn't doing well either. 140k original or so.

Been checking availability for reman'd units on the existing 4.0, all about 6-8 weeks out, some 3+ months out, with the more reputable reman companies, didn't bother with the shaddy ones. Also, checking on just rebuilding mine locally. But that explains the choppiness in throttle I've had the last few months.

Will get sorted either way

 

[Josh P]

I think you could swap in a used 302 that has plenty of life left for about the same cost as a rebuilt 4.0

 

[ryboj]

I agree Josh, it's just the labor. Since I'm doing zero of it, the numbers jump considerably beyond that. Right now, I have 11 hours shop time from a mechanic I'm using (not fabricator) quote for the engine swap of a reman, plus all misc hard and soft parts, and the remand unit itself, around $2400 for just that. Again, if I was doing the labor and knew how to do it all, of course, I'd be done with this years ago and we wouldn't be talking about it, haha.