allright. my buddy told me to put a 6.0L diesel in it. i told him he was crazy. no chance it would fit. i measured, its too stinking big. besides, if i wanted a truck w/ a 6.0L i would buy a 2003 f 350.
EXACTLY... !
There is no reason for an engine that big in a Ranger.
Overall performance would suffer dramatically, suspension would suffer, rear axle would explode, steering would need replacing sooner than later.
A 4.0 or IMHO a 5.0 will bring on all the power you need, gear it for power and keep the overall package lighter and safe to drive.
If you have the money the 5.0l conversion is a nice fit for the Ranger.
L&L Products makes a nice conversion kit, the best on the market but pricey. Their workmanship is far superior to anything on the market, design, machining, overall quality of parts. Their headers are super rugged with a 1/2" flange and what looks to me to be about a 12 ga tubing for the runs and a large collector.
I got better gas mileage out of the 5.0 than the 2.9 it replaced, didn't have to push the hell out of the engine.
My only problem was it got hotter than I wanted it to be, never boiled over but the gauge read too hot. Fixed it with a red neck cowl induction hood... Raised the rear of the good one inch, brought the temp down 15 degrees. Seems the sir got blocked in the engine bay and wouldn't let enough air flow to cool the engine.
Off subject a little too much, sorry.
Ltr