Hello Scotty
I have a super condition and cared for 1996 ranger 2.3L automatic , the frame rails are shot with rust , I found a 2006 ranger 3.0 automatic blown motor. can I swap the 1996 motor and trans into the 2006 ? I am assuming I will need the ecu or brain box from my truck both are standard cabs short beds
68yrs old and need a budget truck for now and then. I have maintained my drive train well , unfortunately my ranger has a leaf spring perch area totally rusted hanging by a thread
Any help or advice would be great
Hello Scotty
I have a super condition and cared for 1996 ranger 2.3L automatic , the frame rails are shot with rust , I found a 2006 ranger 3.0 automatic blown motor . can I swap the 1996 motor and trans into the 2006 ? I am assuming I will need the ecu or brain box from my truck both are standard cabs short beds
68yrs old and need a budget truck for now and then . I have maintained my drive train wel , unfortunately my ranger has a leaf spring purch area totally rusted hanging by a thread
Any help or advice would be great
No, it's not a bolts on and off procedure at all. The ECU needs reprogrammed, for one, and they may not be compatible with each other. They also modified the transmission from a 4R44E to a 5R55E. You'd be better off just buying a whole newer Ranger that doesn't have rust. I have a 1999 Ranger as well, but mine is an extended cab. They basically spliced the frames together from the factory, the forward part is apparently better-quality steel than the rear end. I heard consumer groups were advocating for a recall many years, but there never was one. My Ranger's still mostly OK, but a rear crossmember is biting the dust. What's weird, is the bodywork is still rust-free after 25 years.
Ford made the original Rangers until 2012, and they made thousands of them. Give a prospective Ranger a through underbody inspection and take it to a mechanic to do a once-over on it.
Aside from any custom fabrication that would be required due to any structural differences between 1996 and 2006 models, you would have to transfer pretty much the entire electrical system along with the engine and transmission. Then if you're in an area that requires emission inspection you may have a problem since the 2006 truck would be expected to meet 2006 standards.
Surprisingly, you can get old 5.0 SHOC engines in a Ranger. The Ranger and Explorer were platform mates back in the day. The automatic wasn't built for V8 power, though, so you'd have to source a manual, which also requires a retune or replacement of the ECU. Haha
Way too big a job, like you said it would make a lot more sense just to buy another Ranger that's in good condition.
Especially not for a 68 year-old, for somebody who's in his 30s, it would make a great "sleeper". Someone near my house actually has a modified V8 Ranger, I hear it all the time when I'm outside. They modified the exhaust and I always think it's a Mustang GT, until I see it's a Ford Ranger, haha.
Couple thoughts:
1) Fixing the frame on the old truck is probably easier and less expensive than swapping the engine into a new truck. Take a look at Carid and possibly LMC truck to see if you can replace just the rusted out sections
2) In a lot of places, you can install a new engine in an old vehicle, but it is not legal to install an older engine into a newer vehicle. You don't want to spend thousands on a swap then not be able to license it.
I did a very quick search for 2004-2006 Rangers for sale and the price range is between $4k - $7k depending on mileage and condition.
Picking up another used Ranger in decent running condition may be a good alternative.
