http://wot.motortrend.com/mustang-po...#axzz2aTOAFC00

Built with help from around the world – including SVT in the U.S., and South Racing GmbH in Germany – the South African Ford Ranger Dakar racers are built from the ground-up to take a beating at the grueling South American race. The Ranger Dakar starts life as a composite-bodied Ranger Double Cab, which is then fitted with an off-road-ready independent front and rear suspension.
An aluminum Ford Racing 5.0-liter V-8 borrowed from the Mustang GT is then squeezed under the hood of the Ranger, and paired to a six-speed sequential gearbox, with full-time four-wheel drive. Under the hood of the Ranger Dakar, the 5.0-liter V-8 is good for 349 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque. A 132-gallon fuel cell is then mounted in the bed, which seems like overkill until you take a look at the Ranger’s projected fuel economy: 8.4 mpg in normal road driving, and 2.6 mpg in sandy racing conditions. Top speed is about 106 mph. Other Ford Ranger Dakar tech specs include an engine management system provided by Magneti Marelli, limited-slip differentials up front and in back, water-cooled Brembo brakes in back (air-cooled up front), and 16-inch Evocorse wheels with Michelin 245/85/16 rubber.
There will be two Ford Rangers racing at Dakar. Dakar runs from January 5-18, 2014, and will cover 5282 miles from Rosario, Argentina to Valparaiso, Chile.

 

Just read this as well . . . Outstanding indeed!!

 

I wonder why top speed is only 106 mph ...

 

Have you been over 100mph in a ranger?

 

Funny they say the 5.0 from the Mustang, when by the hp & tq numbers, it shows the cam & mapping setup like the F150 5.0.

 

I highly doubt there is much left from the stock factory Ranger ...

 

Id like to see them use the ecoboost like they did in the intro of the motor 2 years ago. I have it in my truck and like it better than my buddy with a 5.0 f150.

 

People put 5.0s in the Ranger all the time. It's nothing new. Also, even with the V6, once you hit 90 mph the rear end starts shaking. It's scary as ****. Rangers aren't built for speed, they are built for hauling. I wouldn't mind a 5.0 in my Ranger but I can't do it due to emissions.

 

You can too...the engine just needs to be same year or newer than the vehicle you're putting it into and keep the factory cats in the factory location. That makes it difficult for some swaps, but it's doable. When I get around to it, my '03 GT is getting a Coyote and my '05 Escape is getting a newer 3.5 or 3.7 V6 out of an Edge/Flex/MKT etc...

 

Oh I know it's doable. It's just more work than I would like. And by more work, I mean more money. Lol. My Ranger isn't anything special, it's an 03 Single cab, 3.0L V6, 2wd, Edge Package. The details are in my sig. Anyway, if I were to put in a 5.0 in a Ranger, I'd preferably put it in one that's loaded and has a extended cab.

 

I hear ya. I know the Coyote swap will probably be about $10k when it's all said and done. Fortunately I already have everything else, as far as supporting mods. I always loved those trucks - I'd look for a wrecked 11+ V6 Mustang and put a 3.7 in there!

 

Yup! I've done my research on it. I want to get another Ranger and mod the **** out of it. I'm going to mod my current one slightly, but not much. It's my DD and I can't afford losing MPGs by putting 31" tires. I want to get a leveling kit, K&N CAI, new wheels with aggressive tires, and then a couple exterior mods. Now if I were to do a V8 swap on a Ranger, I'd probably buy one that's a little older, that way I could get a 5.0 right out of a Mustang or Expo. Another swap that is somewhat common is the 4BT swap. It'll be somewhat cool to make a sleeper out of it but at the same time a Ranger actually has some power, people just don't realize it. How would swapping a V8 work with a 4WD? Wouldn't I have to get an engine off a 4WD vehicle?

 

I've always wondered that actually, although I'm sure the F150 transfer case might work for you...