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89 Super cab with a 4.0 swap

RowdyFitz

Active Member
Joined
April 4, 2021
Messages
92
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89
City, State
Fallon Nevada
Year, Model & Trim Level
89 Ranger xlt
I bought the truck last year. The PO did all the heavy work. The engine is from a 91 X with an auto trans. He put all new gaskets and a water pump on the engine before swapping it over. The truck has an FM146 manual trans.
I finished the wiring and got it running. I replaced the MAP, TPS, Radiator, Fan and Clutch, HP Power Steering Hose, put the plug wires in the correct firing order, replaced most of the vacuum hoses, installed the later model air cleaner, swapped in the D-35 and 8.8, reassembled the dash, etc.

I’m in the process of installing new gears and lockers also. 4.56’s with a lockrite ratcheting locker in the front and a spartan in the rear.


For the rear suspension, I’ll be installing a set of 63” chevy springs with a hanger and shackle flip. For the front, I will be installing a set of Tuff Country extended RA’s. I’ll probably end up reinforcing them at some point. For the coils, right now I’m keeping the TC 4” lift coils. I have a set of jeep coils I might try out. I also plan to get some good bypass shocks, I’m eyeballing the Billstein M7100’s right now.

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Well between interruptions, I’ve managed to Clean up the carrier, the diff housing, install the new bearings and races. I’m cooling the carrier in my freezer and heating the ring gear in the sun right now to help them go together. I hope to finish the install today.
 






Well my motivation was high this morning. But I was watchin the kids while the wife took horses for a dental check up, this morning. I was able to work on the truck this afternoon but I was movin slow. I did get the gears set up, but not finished. I still have to install the front pinion bearing, set the preload, install the locker, put the axles in the diff on and fill it up.
Since it’s been so long that I’ve done this, it has been slow going. I’ve been double and triple checking everything I have done so I don’t screw it up. Maybe I’ll get it finished tomorrow afternoon. I’ve got an online training class for work, from 8-12.
 






What size tires are you going to be running with those 4.56s?
 






What size tires are you going to be running with those 4.56s?
31x10.50’s right now. But I plan to buy 33x12.50’s next fall. If not, I’ll have better gearing for hauling a trailer full of wood home. Right now, it has 3.55’s and barely maintains 5th gear at 55-60 mph.

I haven’t done anything to the truck today. I opted to spend time with my family before I head to work tonight.
 






Just picked up that set of 63” springs. They’re off a 1500 so I don’t anticipate having to do any leaf adjustments, but we’ll see how she sets fully loaded after I do the swap. I may find a new rear hanger to try to gain a little more lift.
 






Finished the 8.8 gear install. I had to grind down one tooth to get the cross pin in. I’ve put about 150 miles on it. Put 30 on it the first night then let it cool. The next day I put another 15 and let it cool. Then I put another 40 miles of desert rd driving on it. It did good. Next will be replacing the exhaust since it’s rusted out. Then I’ll start the front end next week.

I put in a set of XJ coils but ended up pulling them out. They are 20” long but compressed to 15”. They were too short for the lift brackets. I took a picture of how much the crappy stock steering affects the steering during articulation.

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So I have had a pretty busy summer and haven’t been able to get as much done as I’d anticipated. I was able to plate the beams, paint them and then build radius arms.

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wicked good work!
I put a 4.0 in my 88 Bronco II and drove it like that for many years, first as a 5 speed then later as a auto.
The 4.0 is perfect for those 80's rangers and the 80's rangers/rain gutter trucks were the best!!
The way you are setting up that 89 should give you many many years of happy driving
 






wicked good work!
I put a 4.0 in my 88 Bronco II and drove it like that for many years, first as a 5 speed then later as a auto.
The 4.0 is perfect for those 80's rangers and the 80's rangers were the best!!
The way you are setting up that 89 should give you many many years of happy driving
Thank you! Yeah that’s what I’m hoping for!
I still have a solid day’s worth of work to do to it, buttoning up electrical gremlins and clearancing the front axle yolks for full circle clips. I’m gonna pick up the front diff today or tomorrow. I opted to have it set up by a shop to save time because I’ve been so busy. I hope to install it before I start messing with the electrical.

It should be fairly simple for the electrical though. The drive headlight and turn signal are interfering with each other some how. The dome light isn’t working, the reverse lights aren’t working and the clutch neutral safety switch is wired incorrectly.

Then I think there’s a vacuum leak somewhere still. So I’m gonna replace the vacuum lines and see if that helps.

Oh, I also swapped the 64” springs into it. I still have to measure for new shocks. Until then, I’ll keep running the shocks that came on it.
 






show us some pics of the chevy spring setup!! I am getting ready to install some Chevy 64" leafs and flip the shackle on a 2007, have been grinding rivets for a couple of days now :)

For your vacuum issue, how are the intake gaskets? The upper intake plenum to lower intake is a known weak spot for gaskets....
Let us know if you need help with those wiring issues
I assume this 89 was a 2.9L truck? did it have MAS?
The 4.0 swap should be really really easy on that truck BUT there is some wiring to do at the BWP (big white plug) at the firewall, they changed wire colors and locations on that thing each year, 89-92
 






show us some pics of the chevy spring setup!! I am getting ready to install some Chevy 64" leafs and flip the shackle on a 2007, have been grinding rivets for a couple of days now :)

For your vacuum issue, how are the intake gaskets? The upper intake plenum to lower intake is a known weak spot for gaskets....
Let us know if you need help with those wiring issues
I assume this 89 was a 2.9L truck? did it have MAS?
The 4.0 swap should be really really easy on that truck BUT there is some wiring to do at the BWP (big white plug) at the firewall, they changed wire colors and locations on that thing each year, 89-92
No problem. I plan to do a shackle flip also. I found it’s a lot easier to cross cut the rivet heads with a cut off wheel and then use a air chisel to knock the head off. Then I use a punch to drive the rivet out.

The intake gaskets should be new. The guy that I bought the truck from, had resealed the entire engine. I however have not double checked the torque for the intake bolts.

Thank you for the offer to help with the wiring, I may need it lol.

The truck did have a 2.9 stock. The previous owner swapped the engine but couldn’t figure out the wiring. He swapped the explorer dash with engine and wiring.
I merely wrapped it up.

I think it has a vacuum leak because it just doesn’t quite have the same power as my old 98 ohv. It may not have any leaks and just be the nature of the engine.
 






if that was my truck I would be looking for some 83-88 wing windows, supports and door glass. I love my wing windows
 






if that was my truck I would be looking for some 83-88 wing windows, supports and door glass. I love my wing windows
I like that idea! Will the doors swap over and have the body lines match up? I know the front fenders and hood have a different shape…
 






Keep your doors just install the glass and wing window support from wing window truck they are held in the door with a screw and a bolt, the holes already exist. Your door is the same as 83-92 rangers only the glass abs interior panel changed

My 88 BII is running 90’eddie Bauer interior panels with manual windows from a 86 and wing windows from the original 88 doors. I ditched the power windows years ago when I put my truck on a big diet. The power door wiring on these trucks goes all the way around the radiator and over time will develop lots of issues with the factory 80’s style wiring connectors. I prefer manual everything to keep my truck simple. In a 88 b2 it is easy to reach passenger door to roll window up and down

The front of the truck changed in 89-92 the header panel fenders hood and bumper changed slightly, but from the a pillar back the ranger is exactly the same 83-92, the doors did not change until 94 when they got a whole new cab and dash
 






Keep your doors just install the glass and wing window support from wing window truck they are held in the door with a screw and a bolt, the holes already exist. Your door is the same as 83-92 rangers only the glass abs interior panel changed

My 88 BII is running 90’eddie Bauer interior panels with manual windows from a 86 and wing windows from the original 88 doors. I ditched the power windows years ago when I put my truck on a big diet. The power door wiring on these trucks goes all the way around the radiator and over time will develop lots of issues with the factory 80’s style wiring connectors. I prefer manual everything to keep my truck simple. In a 88 b2 it is easy to reach passenger door to roll window up and down

The front of the truck changed in 89-92 the header panel fenders hood and bumper changed slightly, but from the a pillar back the ranger is exactly the same 83-92, the doors did not change until 94 when they got a whole new cab and dash

Oh ok, I thought so. My 89 has the newer integrated door panels so I don’t have to worry about the typical broken arm rest/pull handle. It has manual windows and locks already so I would just have to do the glass and frame swap. This will definitely be an option down the road. Gotta finish the truck and work out the gremlins first. Thank you for the lesson!
 






Today was a rough day. I attempted to replace the U-joints now that I have all the snap rings. But my retarded ass busted 2 caps and then put another U-joint half way together without clips. So since I’m an utter moron today, I stopped before I cost myself more money. So I’m hanging my head in utter retardation and drinking beer tonight.
 



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I have two words for you
Tiger tools

After years of using hammers, sockets, 12 ton press now 20 ton press and replacing umpteen u joints a year I finally bought one of these and now I joints are too easy
Even rusted full one ton truck u joints come apart with this baby

Tiger Tool U Joint Pullers (Automotive (Class 1-3)) | The Original Inventor | Made in North America Amazon product ASIN B000FN4NV4
 






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