LS Swap Gives Ford Ranger Prerunner Some Serious Grunt
Old Ford Rangers are notoriously underpowered and painfully slow. However, that’s nothing a good LS swap can’t fix.
Needless to say, the LS swap has become the singular most popular engine transplant on the planet. But generally, we see various LS powerplants installed into older cars or classic trucks. You know, situations where the builder of said vehicle is looking for some modern performance. And while that’s certainly true in regards to this Ford Ranger we found while perusing Craigslist, it’s also a very unique build in its own right.
Anyone who’s ever driven one of these old Rangers already knows that they’re painfully lacking in the power department. But that’s nothing that a good old 5.3-liter LS swap can’t fix in this case. The seller snagged this low-mile motor and gave it a full-on rebuild with a host of performance parts. They include an Isky cam, aluminum heads, and a set of headers. Total output is a solid 439 hp at the crank.
The rest of this Ranger build is equally as impressive as the LS swap. The seller actually started out with two trucks, combining the best of both to create one solid vehicle. That includes swapping cabs, interiors, and all the wiring. He then added a fiberglass “Raptor” body kit that lends this Ranger a killer look.
This isn’t some on-road tire burner, either. The Ranger has been treated to a Fabtech Mid travel kit, Fox shocks, and a beefy 8.8-inch rear end, along with fat 35×12.5×15 Cooper off-road tires. Which effectively transformed this pickup into a fun little desert toy. And thanks to an infusion of GM power, it’s more than capable of shredding some sand!
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