No V8s Allowed, Ford EcoBoost Turbo Swap Project Ideas: Truck & Van Edition

• February 18, 2021
• Story By
  Mike Garrett

Not long ago we presented a list of five potential Ford project vehicles that would be great homes for a 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder engine swap. And as varied as that list was, it really just scratched the surface of possibilities. 

So now let's follow up that up with five more vehicles that would be ripe for an EcoBoost swap of either the inline four or V6 variety. This time around we've gone with a theme of Ford pickups, SUVs and vans.

As before, rather than the common hot rods and classics, we've rounded up a group of more unusual projects that could be re-imagined with modern EcoBoost power under the hood.

Ford Courier

The Ford Courier was a small pickup truck that was actually built by Mazda in Japan and imported to North America from the early 1970s through the early 1980s. 

That means that if you were building a vintage Courier into a modern project you could choose from either Mazda or Ford power to keep things "correct," but we think a street Courier build with a 2.3 EcoBoost under the hood would be fantastic.

1987-1997 F-150

The '87-'97 Ford F-150 is one of those pickup trucks that's starting to be appreciated more and more by collectors and enthusiasts. There are already plenty of modified examples out there, but an EcoBoost swapped version would certainly stand out from the crowd.

Given how much smaller and lighter this generation of F-150 is compared to its modern counterpart, even a lightly upgraded 3.5L EcoBoost would provide a very nice power to weight ratio.

Ford Falcon/Econoline Van

Next we go back even further to now the mid 1960s and the Ford Econoline/Falcon van. With their vintage coolness and unique mid-engined layout, these vans are cool enough as is, but imagine it with turbo power.

Whether you keep it original looking or go for a vintage-inspired custom look, it'd be awesome to look between the seats in one of these old vans and see an EcoBoost swap. 

Ford Aerostar

Now we have another van, this one from the '80s and '90s. The Aerostar was Ford's answer to the Dodge Caravan and the new minivan segment, but unlike the Dodge, the Aerostar was RWD and used a lot of parts borrowed from Ford's light trucks.

And while the Aerostar has become a rare sight and modern roads, how cool would it be to see one built up with an EcoBoost four or six-cylinder swap? Do the exterior and interior up '80s style for extra points.

Ford Explorer (First Generation) 

Lastly we get to a groundbreaking SUV that hasn't quite reached collector status yet, but could very well do so in the coming years. For as popular as they were when new, the early Explorer is another vehicle you don't see on the road much anymore.

You don't see too many of these turned into project vehicles, so an EcoBoost swapped-first gen Explorer done in either a street or an off-road style would be very fresh. 

 Once again, who says you need a V8 to have a cool American project vehicle?