# Repowering ford ranger 1996

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/repowering-ford-ranger-1996/22526>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [November 25, 2008, 3:32am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repowering-ford-ranger-1996/22526 "2008-11-25T03:32:06Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![cliffordsimmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/48db29/32.png) [@cliffordsimmons](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cliffordsimmons)\
**Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 3:32am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repowering-ford-ranger-1996/22526/1 "2008-11-25T03:32:06Z")

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Hello:  
  
  
  
  
  
 I have a 96 ford Ranger. Its a good truck, but it lacks power. It’s a 4 cylinder. I have been toying with the idea of getting a long block V6 put in.  
  
  
  
 My first question: is this possible?  
  
  
  
 Second: what else would I have to replace in the process? I have been told that I would have to replace the transmission if I did this.  
  
  
  
  
  
 Third: Is this wise at all? The car has about 200K almost on it, and so I was thinking this might actually extend the life of the truck also.  
  
  
  
 thanks  
  
  
  
 Cliff

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**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\
**Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 5:54am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repowering-ford-ranger-1996/22526/2 "2008-11-25T05:54:14Z")

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It’s possible but you’ll have to change a lot of other stuff too; exhaust, wiring harness, computer, along with modifying a number of vacuum hoses, throttle cable, etc., etc.  
Anything is doable but it will require some effort and the most economical option would be if you had a donor truck of the same year to pirate parts from.

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**Author:** ![FoDaddy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/fodaddy/32/717_2.png) [@FoDaddy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/FoDaddy)\
**Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 1:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repowering-ford-ranger-1996/22526/3 "2008-11-25T13:52:37Z")

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While you can do it, it’s probably not really cost effective. But if you’re going to do it, go whole hog and swap in a V8, the 302 swap is pretty common in Rangers and is no more difficult or costly than swapping in a 4.0L V6. There’s a ton of info out on the internet about how to do it.