2000 Explorer swap into 88 ranger

[Soul]

Well its that time again, I have pretty well wrapped up my 331 swap into my tbird. I think I'm going to stiffen its body up and make it more of a road race car. Now I want something mild performance that I can drive. I mentioned in another post I have a 2000 explorer motor, trans and wiring. I'm sold on putting it in the ranger (which is what I wanted to do originally but my dad talked me out of it.) 5.0 into ranger with 4r70w trans, ECU reprogrammed to kill PATS and pretty much anything other than engine and trans control. The trans is from the AWD explorer, so I was wanting to maybe make the 88 an AWD ranger. I have a 92 4wd explorer I can rob everything front and back from. For seeable issues and what I'm wanting help on,

1. How is the front suspension of the explorer connected to the frame and can I put it on the 88 Ranger? If not I'll get a diff tailhousing for the trans and use that.
2. The rear end mounting points are different, but I think I can just reweld them on the ranger, right?
3. VSS signal, If I put the transfer case on the 4r70w I don't have a spot for sensor and AFAIK the 92 explorer used in trans sensor?

Thanks for the info.

[cgrey8]

Is the 88 Ranger already 4wd? If so, that'll help. If you are looking to convert a currently 2wd Ranger to 4wd, you are in for quite a project.

[Soul]

No its 2wd, that is what I'm wondering. If the front end of the explorer is (i guess I'm meaning modular) able to unbolt and slide into the ranger. If it is a HUGE project may just stick with 2wd.

[cgrey8]

I know there's a pretty big difference between the 2wd and 4wd Rangers in both suspension and crossmember details. There's also differences in which oil pan works with either. I could be wrong, but I don't think you are going to find the 2wd to 4wd conversion a straight-forward thing.

[Soul]

Well, stroke of genius here (maybe) what about a frame swap? Mounting spots close for the 88 ranger vs the 92 explorer?

[cgrey8]

I have no clue what all this would entail. Expect the unexpected...

[Dave]

I'd just stick with the 4x2 in those years. Even with the 2000 Rangers, difference in the frames depending on which drive system you might have. Chris sure seems happy with his similar swap and just a 4x2. I just see a lot of money going bye-bye.
Dave

[Soul]

I'm just wanting something more fun to commute to work that gets decent mpg, my 2002 ranger gets like 14 around here. Might stick OD in my T-bird, a 2.3 turbo in the 88 ranger and start saving up for a v8 swap in my 2002. The 02 Ranger motor has the timing chain rattle that is driving me insane. Guess I need to do like every project before and make a timeline with parts goals again.

Side note, 88 ranger with 2.3 turbo, I have a 2.3t with about 3 grand of go fast goodies in it that needs a home in the future, just wondering what trans to run other than C4 (been there done that, no fun). Last time around I tried mating an AOD to the 4 cyl with an adapter from canefield but you would have to have your crank milled and a custom flexplate.