This past week I pulled the V6/5 speed auto out of the wrecked 2001 Ranger I picked up a while back and test fitted them in one of my Mavericks. It would have been an a great fit, if it weren't for the way the steering is setup in these cars. No front sump pan is available for this engine, I had the intention of taking the rear sump pan and cutting it in half, flipping it around and making a front sump pan out of it. After removing the oil pan, I quickly discovered that this was not going to be an option, due to the fact that the oil pump is one big piece of cast aluminum that goes all the way to the bottom of the rear sump. Two right side I6 motor mounts could be used to mount the engine to the original I6 frame stands. The factory 2001 Ranger exhaust manifolds fit well. The gray plug is for the oxygen sensor, the yellow goes to the mass air flow. The chain was there to lift the engine with the hoist, of course. Another view of the manifold clearance. The drivers side manifold had about 1/4 inch of clearance between the steering box. Not much, but it would work. Judging by this picture, I could have used one of Frank's AOD cross members to mount the trans using a C4 trans mount. The transmission fit in the tunnel without any clearance issues. I could jack it up in there about another inch or so, but figgured this is probably close to where it would be in a completed installation. While I didn't actually try it, it appeared the Ranger's factory drive shaft would have worked without modification. The only real clearance problem I had up top was with the EGR valve touching the shock tower. This would have been easily solved by running a Taurus upper intake. Also, as you can see in the pics, the engine was slightly more to the right side of the engine bay, this was mainly to avoid the exhaust manifold touching the steering box. I had no problems closing the hood. So, the steering center link pretty much screwed up this plan. I had the center link taken loose from the pitman arm on the passenger side in order to allow the engine to sit down in there completely. Someone needs to come up with a bolt in rack and pinion setup...
I was thinking about using a temp manual rack is place of the factory steering in these cars, that may be what you would need to get that puppy in there. 3.0L V6 I take it? I'm looking for a 4.0 for my 4cyl ranger
Nice try. It sounds like a very good idea. Does the Ranger have a rack & Pinion? Wonder if it could be stuck in there? Cleaver
I always wondered if you could just swap the spindles from side to side and fab up a front steer rack & pinion.
In the old days, guys swapped the spindles from side to side and inverted them to get suspension drop of about 2". The only thing I can think of on Maverick spindles that might cause a problem is the built in caster, built into the spindles. If that was overcome, it could be a possibility.....
The I4/4 speed overdrive Maverick runs, but I have not finished figuring out the mounts yet. I am either going to have to drill three new holes in either shock tower in order to horizontally move both of the frame mounts out in order to use the Fox Body engine mounts, or see what I can do with the I6 mounts. Haven't really touched the car since June. I plan to get back on it real soon. The Ranger does have rack and pinion steering, which is in fact mounted forward of the front spindles. My first thought was to swap the sides on the spindles also, but like Bobby says, it LOOKS like it will screw up the geometry. I have a few ideas in mind, such as possibly trying the entire spindles off the Ranger, or maybe spindles off a 80's Lincoln Town Car. I just need to mess around with it and see. And yes, the engine is a 3.0 V6.
Jamie You can't swap spindle form side to side it will screw up your steering geometry . I know I tryed it on a model A roadster with a mustang ll front end and granada spindle the damn thing would not turn . There is a formula for this I don't what it called . Basely you take line from the center of your rear end pinion through your kingpins ( or ball joints ) on the right side and on left side of front end and your steering arms on your spindle must be on that line .( to the rear of your kingpins for rear steer and on front of your kingpins for front steer ) . jay
Thanks, that is very good information. You say you were able to put a Granada spindle on the Mustang II front suspension. I wonder if I could use a Mustang II spindle on the Maverick suspension (which of course is the same as the Granada). I understand the geometry may still be off, but at least it would get me in the ball park. Looks like I'm going to the junkyard tomorrow to try swapping some spindles around.
Jamie It's been to many years I don't remember if there use a ball joint change or not . I do remember I hook a hot wrench and cut the front end off and went back to a straight axle problen solved jay
