New to v8 rangers

[piratetrucker]

hey guys,
after years of thinking v8 swapped small pick-ups were cool so finally i picked one up mainly because i didnt want to do all the major work and this rig was dirt cheap paid $800 for it its an 88 LB/SC ranger as i was told by the last owner it has the following done.

302/c4 swap
302 bumped to 306
trick flow 10.6(ish):1 pistons
fresh rebuilt
brand new holley 650
brand new taylor spiro pro's
cherry bombs
shift kit
newer wheels

other then that the truck is rough to say the least here are things i know i dont like and will change:
it has a stock single core radiator need to figure out a better set up
wiring looks good but needs battery cables replaced and some other minor things
speedo doesnt work need help figuring out how to adapt the ranger cable to the c4
dont really like that its auto so im going to convert to T5 (need help with what i need for this)
has newer power window doors but the truck didnt have them and honestly id rather not wire them up so i need to get some manual window doors
all stock interior and dash need to get it cleaned up and get some buckets and scrap the bench
re-do the exhaust so it can have an h or x pipe and put in long tube headers if i can figure out what fits or if it will all be custom
..id also like to upgrade to serpentine accesory set from a 5.0 mustang
and add power steering or get a manual rack because its misserable to drive.
these pics are not mine they are from the add on CL ill get some up soon

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[MalcolmV8]

Wow for the price you can't go wrong. Should be a fun toy. Keep us updated with your progress. Tons of good info and people on these forums so you should have no problem getting all your projects on the truck completed.

[carvinmark]

Good deal on your new toy. I just put mine together a few months ago. I got mine with a blown up 306 so most of the hard stuff was done. Mine has a set of tri-Y headers and the top of the frame near the starter had to be notched but no mods to the left frame at all for them to fit. I got lucky in the radiator department, it has a nice big radiator fit under the support. I need to figure out a fan schroud and it should work good. Mine has T5 and the speedo works but is off by alot so I will have to change the gear on the cable. Does yours have a clutch pedal? If so, you are part way there allready for the trans swap. Mine has an adapter plate under the trans mount that allows using the stock location for the crossmember. I have a bench seat in mine, kind of like it that way. You just need manual window regulators to make the glass work, they are riveted in and are not that hard to do. Use the excisting glass.

This pic shows some of the frame notch in lower left corner, by the plug wire.

[plowboy34]

Price was definitely right. I know what you mean about driving with manual steering. When we did the boy's the first time we went manual and boy howdy, when in a parking lot or something like that it was a bear. When we put in new engine we went back to P/S and life is good again.