I bought my engine the other day and have been looking for a 5 speed to put it in. I've been studying everything i need to do from usedkubotaman and FTE since they both have successful swaps, as well as getting some knowledge from looking around on the engine. This will be my build thread, and i will start with building as soon as I buy me a rig to throw it in, hopefully this week. My only "problem" currently is not knowing where a machine shop is around me. Pics should be plentiful, enjoy as I enjoy making it

 

Sweet, make sure you add some videos too, can't wait to see it! If I had known the swap would be successful I would have bought a better truck.

 

Did you see the 1997 Ranger on craigslist in Cape Girardeau? $3500. Looks clean.

The 2203DI is sitting in the engine bay of my brother's 1990 Ranger. We're getting ready to start making the motor mounts. I will start a new thread later today, so I don't clutter up your thread or kubotaman's.

Jurgen

 

Havent seen it yet, but thanks for the heads up. I found one a little farther north with a blown engine for $750, which would allow me to spend a little money on the Phoenix Casting adapters for my bellhousing and flywheel. I do wish i knew how much those are...anybody have any experience with them? BTW, good luck with the 1990

 

Were you able to verify if the bell is sae? I don't have the bell anymore to ck, the website only listed a few auto to sae adapters and didn't see Ranger although you could use a t5.

 

Phoenix's adapter may be a good option, but be aware using the stock flywheel housing + adapter adds say 2-3" to the length of the engine. In the Ranger, pushing the engine forward doesn't look like a big deal, but pushing the oil sump forward does make the install harder. Move the transmission back to solve?

However, I wouldn't discount an adapter plate from Aaron at Diesel Repower. Turn the stock flywheel down, redrill it for the Ranger clutch, and then bolt the stock transmission to the 2203.

BTW, the 1997 Ranger on craigslist is listed as a 4.0 V6. Supposedly, that transmission has a beefed up transmission (beefed up synchros and maybe more), and it probably has the more robust 8" rear end.

I bought an engine recently, and the seller said it has an SAE bolt pattern.

 

The bell is def SAE 4. the flywheels dimension are almost identical to SAE 8, so i figure the adapter will be my best bet. They say the adapter from Phoenix only adds 1", so it shouldnt be that big a deal. The cost is much less for phoenix, $220, compared to making it my own, $800+

 

$220 is actually pretty damn good. Don't forget to add the cost of another transmission. I measured a T5 with Buick bellhousing today. It is 26" to the shifter. The stock Ranger transmission is 21" from adapter plate to shifter. Something to think about.

Also, don't forget the SAE adapter plate uses the stock SAE flywheel housing. I believe most converters here are removing that SAE flywheel housing and using a 3/4" adapter plate. in its place. Am I wrong here, guys?
Jurgen

 

Most everyone is making those adapters themselves, I just want a professional adapter if i can help it, unless someone has a pattern I can have to make the plate from. There was a guy on 4btswaps.com that used the SAE 4 to Chrysler 727 from Phoenix and bolted it to a Dakota 3.9 v6 bellhousing. So theoretically, it'd save me time and money just by doing a Dakota swap since the ranger transmission (M5R1) has a fixed bellhousing. Also, there's always Aaron at Diesel Repower, but I'm yet to get contact with him yet. The more i can settle with staying pretty much stock, the better.

 

I like the phoenix adapter, simple and reasonable $. If I had known, I might have gone this route. I had the Ranger first but a trans swap would have been easyier. There are alot of different T5 shifter locations. How much does a Dokata weigh, my Ranger s/c weighs in at 3500lb with me and 1/2 tank of fuel. Not sure a heavier rig would be good with this motor.