Turbo Ranger 2.3L Turbo Engine Swapped Ford Ranger. Back Dated Build Series

20 years ago I decided to get something a little more economical for a daily driver. Unfortunately it was too boring with a naturally aspirated 2.0L so I made it more economical with a Ford 2.3L Turbo swap. Turns out, that makes it one quick little Truck!!!!
#23turbo #ford23 #pintoengine #turboranger #turbo #engineswap #buildseries #backdatedbuildseries #ranger #turbocoupe #autocross #truck #20yearsago

[@cvptvinwavy3960]

super cool 🤘

[@jbrunsonjr]

I used to have an 88 Ranger long bed that I bought in the early 2000’s for $500 as my daily. Always wanted to do this swap, so thanks for sharing!

[@minnesotatomcat]

Awesome build today let alone 20 years ago! Always loved that old square body style of rangers but living in Minnesota there just aren’t any left that haven’t completely rusted out already.

[@rangeraficionado87]

Nice build! Now, start building your more modern version! I'm gonna have to look more into that SN95 conversion for my 1987 V8 Ranger. I've already swapped in 95-97 beams/knuckles/calipers and 2004 sport trac rotors using my own custom caliper brackets.

[@customizer4life]

Thanks!!! Oh that’s a dangerous but very tempting idea!!! It worked well for my set up back then. Nice upgrades!!!

[@jasonferrell228]

Come touch the 302 swapped get ranger 😂 😂 good build looking to do this on my 92

[@customizer4life]

@@jasonferrell228 Funny part is when I sold this truck, it was without the 2.3 drivetrain, and it now survives with a carbed 302

[@dabeardsmen3621]

Nice but it looks a bit high I think I’m gonna go with some 15s on mine

[@customizer4life]

Thanks, I’ve always been a fan of big wheels, I’ve also see many other smaller wheel combos pull off an amazing look, plus the tires are cheaper to replace 😂

[@greenfox3637]

Absolutely awesome build man! But I have to know more about the sn95 front brakes. Did you just install the rotor and the caliper with an adapter? Spindle same size as the sn95? I have an 87 ranger I 302 swapped and I have an explorer 8.8 rear with disc brakes. But I really want to upgrade the front brakes to something better

[@customizer4life]

Thanks, I appreciate that!! If my memory servers me correctly the caliper brackets line up, use the SN95 rotors bearings etc on the ranger spindle. It has been a few years since I built this but I remember having aluminum dual piston pbr calipers which I think is the cobra sn95 (on RockAuto centric p/n 14161171 / 14161172) and the matching rotors for that model. They worked really well and I even kept the same oem manual brake master cyl, all and all it was a great combo!!!

[@greenfox3637]

Thank you for the info!

[@brakkenrivers3774]

Hey I’m looking at doing this exact swap, did you get a custom drive shaft made or?

[@customizer4life]

@@brakkenrivers3774 Hi there, If I remember correctly I believe I used an 86 ford thunderbird turbo coupe driveshaft

[@brakkenrivers3774]

@@customizer4life thanks so much! Got myself a mint 91 only 41xxx original miles now second owner

[@customizer4life]

@@brakkenrivers3774 Very cool, I definitely miss this truck!!! Msg me some pics of your build on instagram @amazonturbocoupe

[@robsokoloski]

What did you do with you're heater box

[@customizer4life]

At the time, I had chopped out a section to add clearance for the OEM downpipe with the OEM turbo manifold from the 86 turbo coupe

[@ItsDaJax]

The only ttb vehicles most likely to roll are the SUVs. The trucks are too light in the ass, and the Econoline is nearly as light and either rides low(150), and the cog is pretty low.

[@customizer4life]

I completely agree, I was sitting there in the autocross tech area forever as they went back and forth trying to figure out if this truck was gonna be safe on the track. I guess I was the first to bring a truck to an event locally. Just putting this video together makes me want to build another Turbo Ranger!!

[@Marc_Wolfe]

Music while talking... garbage.

[@customizer4life]

Thanks for the feedback