Any Ranger experts in here??? looking to swap 2.9L to 4.0L

[PUR PONY]

Hey Guys...
Any ranger experts in here. I have a '92 4x4 auto ranger thats in great shape and runs strong but has 150K on the motor. The motor is starting to leak a little oil and what not. I now noticed that the motor mounts are shot and allowing the motor to slide back and for in the engine bay a little causing a cluck under acceleration.

I also have larger then stock tires and the power is just not there.

I have always wanted to do a 5.0 swap but really dont want to dump to much money into a 92 ranger...... I would rather buy my new F250 turbo......

ANYWAYS- What would be involved in doing a 2.9 to 4.0 swap in my ranger????

does anyone know if the wiring harnesses are the same?? and what eles would have to be done to drop a 4.0 in????

or any ranger forums out there i could check out???

whats a low milage 4.0 Explorer engine going for and where to look besides my local junk yards.....

sorry for being so long but any help is great!!!!!!!!!!!

thanks

 

[expo5.0]

rangerpowersports.com

has a listing of engine swaps and information and there are many good people over there if you post a question

 

[Brett]

Pur Pony,

I've done a few of these swaps. Most everything will bolt up without a problem. The wiring will be fairly tricky. However, since you are using a 92 Ranger, the 4.0 harness from an explorer or ranger should work with minor modifications. Give me a shout if you want some help with this.

Brett

 

[highball]

hey i've done some of these and, the mill(engine & tranny)are the same block and bellhousing. everything should bolt together fine, but there are unique tweaks and un expected happenings in them all. when you get your engine get all of the other stuff out of the engine bay of the x. You might not need it all but it is nice to have there just in case , but you will probubly use every thing.

 

[addkev]

I guy at work has a 92 ranger, he was in your same shoes. Truck still ran good, but he wanted more power. He found a 87 thunderbird I believe it was that had the 2.9 supercharged engine. And transplanted that. Like Expo 5.0, said I think he got alot of his info from ranger power sports. He runs it hard, it is a screamer.

 

[RU MAN]

Thats weird, i thought they stop putting 2.9's in rangers in 9??

I was under the impression that after 87 or 88 the 2.9 harness well pretty much be the same, altho there are a couple wires you don't need to use on the 2.9 harness. I may be completely wrong here.

I tell you the truth tho, if your motor is running strong and it only has a oil leak, just fix the leak. It's probably just the valve cover gaskets(2.9 is known for it), or in the worst case the main seal. Which both are alot less $$ and time. The if the motor mounts are bad, your going to have to replace them even with the 4.0.

With the right gears a 2.9 can handle big meats, it just the 7.5 you have to worry about....

I have a BII with 225,000 miles and counting......

Another thing is, the auto your ranger has and the auto that came with the 4.0 are alittle different. Don't get me wrong it well bolt up, but the 2.9 auto is alittle weaker.

Thats my 2 or 3 cents.....

 

[PUR PONY]

thanks guy for all the great info.

I really dont know what I am going to do yet. I may do nothing to tell you the truth. I just got in from installing a new water pump on it a few mins ago....

but anyways- i have a few different things to look out now and think about-

any other input would be great-

thanks again