Building a Better Ford—with GM Components 

While some stick to their guns when it comes to remaining true to truck branding and badging, others see no division or boundaries when it comes to piecing a project together. Guy Bancroft-Livingston of Huntington Beach, California, is just the kind of guy who would mix and match parts from within the Big 3 of automakers if that meant he would end up with his ideal truck at the end.

Sure, doing this could be considered blasphemous to a few purists in the crowd, but Guy’s only objective was to “go out and enjoy the desert at speed.” Those are his direct words and his direct motive. As far as he was concerned, utilizing any components from any manufacturer was fair game.

“A set of 17×9 Method #103 beadlock wheels and 37-inch BFG Baja T/A Project tires allow the Ranger to traverse any type of terrain it encounters, and just in case things go south, there are two easy-to-access spares ready to go.”

Inspiration Everywhere 

Guy works as an automotive clay modeler at Tesla—a very cool gig that allows him to pull influences from just about everything when creating something out of nothing. Naturally, his mentality does not recognize limits when designing new prototypes as well as reimagining makes and models that already exists. While he does have a deeply rooted passion for electric vehicle conceptualization, he also has many other vehicular interests that we’ll put aside to zoom in on his love affair for those capable of true off-road adventure.

Fabrication Flex

Even though Guy can whip up sketches and models of all types, he did feel it best to reach out to specialized professionals in the flesh to help him redesign his 2005 Ford Ranger FX4. He owned the truck for quite some time before feeding into jumping into a full overhaul. Even though the Ranger served him well for general transportation duty along with the occasional off-road trip, he wanted so much more from it.

“Of course, there is so much more to this GM engine than a quick-hitting highlight reel, but the work put into it should be enough satisfy Ford and GM fans alike.”

Starting with the suspension system, Guy entrusted the talented BTF Fabrication in Upland, California, to begin fabricating an entire tube chassis tied to the original Ford frame that remains underneath the cab. The BTF team performed a body lift to provide 18 inches of front-wheel travel and 25 inches at the rear, and then affixed King 3.5 triple bypass shocks and 2.5×10 coilovers along with 3.5×16 custom six-tube bypass shocks and 2.5×14 coilovers respectively onto the chassis. KDM shocks field tested the Ranger afterward and was able to provide custom valving services to dial in the system for the best performance possible for a 4×4 long travel race setup.

Of course, BTF also outfitted the Ranger’s new chassis work with King bumpstops at the front and rear, as well as 55-inch links, a triangulated three-bar system, a custom billet sway bar, and skid plates that were all designed and built in-house. The crew at BTF also installed upper control arm gussets, and fabbed a cab cage that is tied into the engine cage and back half. The entire orchestration of tube work is an incredible sight to behold. A set of 17×9 Method #103 beadlock wheels and 37-inch BFG Baja T/A Project tires allow the Ranger to traverse any type of terrain it encounters, and just in case things go south, there are two easy-to-access spares ready to go.

Powered by GM 

Next to contribute to the Ranger’s forward motion is an unlikely inclusion by the standards of most enthusiasts. Instead of rebuilding the Ranger’s factory-equipped engine, Guy chose to go a different route. While an engine swap is not usually out of the ordinary to see, transplanting one from a different automaker is.

Guy selected a 2005 GM L33 aluminum HO 5.3L engine from Just Chevy Trucks in Lebanon, Maine–a shop located clear across the country from him. His decision wasn’t based on geographical location but rather the expertise the shop had to offer. The GM mill was sent fully built and stacked with performance add-on parts such as a Texas Speed and Performance camshaft, Hooker Blackheart headers, a Holley mid-mount accessory kit, as well as a standalone wiring harness that could be easily tied into the OEM harness.

BTF once again came through with custom motor mounts to position it correctly, and even put together a one-off stainless exhaust system to let it breathe more freely. Of course, there is so much more to this GM engine than a quick-hitting highlight reel, but the work put into it should be enough satisfy Ford and GM fans alike.

Another GM component swap that made its way onto Guy’s project Ford was a 2005 4L80E transmission to go along with the engine. The two were so easy to combine, it really was a non-issue when deciding which trans to pair with the GM small-block. The fact that he was also able to source the transmission along with the engine from Just Chevy Trucks made the decision much easier to make. A Winters Sidewinder shifter was incorporated to the swap to increase the level of excitement when cycling through the gears. Keeping the transmission operating as cool as possible is a 16×12 cooler that has been placed behind the cab—right underneath the CBR radiator in its repositioned location.

Flying High

Inside the cab, Guy is greeted to a set of Sparco QRT-C carbon bucket seats and steering wheel, along with a custom console that really has turned the Ranger’s cab into an actual cockpit environment. The Holley Pro Dash system, PCI race radio intercom and the repurposed OEM switches that now control auxiliary lights only further give the interior a control-center feel. The rollcage that takes up the extended cab area is also very cool to see and reassuring to know is there once it’s finally go-time!

“I still can’t get over the fact that my truck has successfully turned into an AWD A-arm Ford Ranger prerunner.”

Since his truck has been completed, Guy has taken it out to many famous events and locations including King of the Hammers, Ocotillo Wells, Superstition, and more, which all presented ideal opportunities to put it through its paces. During that time of real-world testing, there wasn’t anything he noticed and wished was done differently, but there are some items he wants to address throughout the off-season. Guy is looking forward to designing and building his own fenders and bedsides soon, and he’s always looking to learn more and improve upon all aspects of his project, which is always cool to see.

“I tried my best to do my research and figure out what I wanted to achieve before the build started,” Guy reflected. “I tried to narrow down and pick parts and services from the best in the business, and I think I did a pretty good job with that. Patience and dedication are always key with something like this, and I still can’t get over the fact that my truck has successfully turned into an AWD A-arm Ford Ranger prerunner. For others wanting to jump into a project this intensive, build it just once if possible, by doing the best you can with what you have.”

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UPGRADES

2005 Ford Ranger FX4 

OWNER: 

Guy Bancroft-Livingston
Huntington Beach, CA 

Engine & Drivetrain: 

Just Chevy Trucks, Lebanon, ME, 2005 GM L33 aluminum HO 5.3L, Custom fabricated motor mounts, Holley standalone Terminator X system, and wiring harness tied into OEM harness, GM L33 flat-top pistons, Texas Speed & Performance VCM Street 217/225 camshaft, Lobe lift .370/.370, valve lift @ 1.7 .629/.629, Ported 862 heads, GM LS2 intake manifold, 102mm throttle body, Hooker Blackheart manifolds, Custom 3-inch stainless exhaust by BTF, Borla XR-1 muffler, UMP air filter, CBR radiator and oil cooler (16×12), 2005 GM 4L80E transmission, Winters Sidewinder shifter, Custom front and rear driveshafts, Front RCV axles 5.13, rear Currie axles 5.13, Front Torsten Type 2, rear Detroit Truetrac, Evan Weller Racing third member

Chassis & Suspension: 

Shop: BTF Fabrication, Upland, CA, 2005 Ford Ranger frame, Tube chassis tied into original frame under cab, 127-inch wheelbase, BTF 4×4 long travel race kit, 55-inch link, triangulated three-bar, 18-inch/25-inch wheel travel, custom billet sway bar, skid plates, Front King 3.0×10 triple bypass/2.5×10 coilovers (custom valved by KDM shocks), rear King 3.5×16 custom 6-tube bypass (KDM shocks)/2.5×14 coilovers, Eibach springs, Upper control arm gussets, shock hoops, cross brace, cab cage tied into engine cage and back half, OEM Ford Ranger steering box, CBR steering fluid cooler, JAZ Jeepspeed 32-gallon fuel cell

Wheels, Tires & Brakes:

17×9 Method Race Wheels 103 beadlock wheels, 37-inch BFG Baja T/A Project tires, Wilwood braking components, BTF custom remote mount reservoir

Body & Paint: 

BTF custom bumpers, Baja Designs lighting, OEM Ford Ranger grille and headlights

Interior & Sound: 

Sparco QRT-C carbon bucket seats, steering wheel, BTF Fabrication rollcage, Holley Pro Dash instrumentation, PCI race radio intercom, ORM switches repurposed to control aux lights, Steering wheel push-to-talk wire plugs into cigarette lighter, Gauge dimmer switch controls Cutless Designs dome light

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Editor’s Note: A version of this article appeared in TREAD May/June 2024.