2.9 to a 302 swap for 88 4x4 Ranger
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01-23-2007, 12:23 AM
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2.9 to a 302 swap for 88 4x4 Ranger
#2
01-23-2007, 01:01 AM
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01-23-2007, 09:46 AM
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Are you looking at a carb or efi motor? The carb motor is a easy swap. You can get rid of most of the wiring and computer. On mine I had to make 2 new holes in the cross member for the motor mounts. the motor set in just find. It is forward a little. I have about a 1/4 inch between the water pump and the radiator. I run 2 10" electric fans in front of the rad and it keeps it cool.
You will need to swap transmissions also. Do you want a auto or standard? I have a t-18 4 speed in mine. You can use the orginal transfer case but an adoptor will be needed to make it fit. Adoptor parts can get pretty costly, do a lot of research and you can find some older ford truck parts will work with a few minor modifications. Most of my research I used ranger 302 swap in a search engine and found several good sites with great info.
If you want the efi you should find a donor where you can get all the wiring and computer with the motor. Then you have to find the right wires to splice into under the hood. The first site listed above has the wiring info listed on the their tech page and in their fourms.
For me both have advantages and disadvandages. A lot of people bad mouth the carb motor, main reason is on steep inclines it stalls out. I have not had this problem yet.
Other things to consider, the axles will hold up for everyday driving and mild off roading. I still have the 7.5 rear and had no problems as of yet. As for the front end thats a different story. With the stock Dana 28 I went through 3 front passenger side axles (they break at the inside u-joint) before I swapped to the explorer dana 35. It lasted for a while then the horsepower and hard off roading blow out the stock hubs and destroyed the differential.
Info on my truck: 1987 STX extend cab, 1980 302 with a holly 750, T-18 4 speed, 1992 explorer dana 35 front end with a detroit locker, rear is stock 7.5 welded. Geared with 4.10's, 4 inch lift plus 3 inch body lift. I run 32x10x15 tires. Change is taking place on this truck now. Tilt front end is being made. Full size striaght axles are going to replace the stock TTB axles.
Hope this helped you out some.
You will need to swap transmissions also. Do you want a auto or standard? I have a t-18 4 speed in mine. You can use the orginal transfer case but an adoptor will be needed to make it fit. Adoptor parts can get pretty costly, do a lot of research and you can find some older ford truck parts will work with a few minor modifications. Most of my research I used ranger 302 swap in a search engine and found several good sites with great info.
If you want the efi you should find a donor where you can get all the wiring and computer with the motor. Then you have to find the right wires to splice into under the hood. The first site listed above has the wiring info listed on the their tech page and in their fourms.
For me both have advantages and disadvandages. A lot of people bad mouth the carb motor, main reason is on steep inclines it stalls out. I have not had this problem yet.
Other things to consider, the axles will hold up for everyday driving and mild off roading. I still have the 7.5 rear and had no problems as of yet. As for the front end thats a different story. With the stock Dana 28 I went through 3 front passenger side axles (they break at the inside u-joint) before I swapped to the explorer dana 35. It lasted for a while then the horsepower and hard off roading blow out the stock hubs and destroyed the differential.
Info on my truck: 1987 STX extend cab, 1980 302 with a holly 750, T-18 4 speed, 1992 explorer dana 35 front end with a detroit locker, rear is stock 7.5 welded. Geared with 4.10's, 4 inch lift plus 3 inch body lift. I run 32x10x15 tires. Change is taking place on this truck now. Tilt front end is being made. Full size striaght axles are going to replace the stock TTB axles.
Hope this helped you out some.
#4
03-08-2007, 11:14 PM
1984 Ranger 302 swap
I am considering the purchase of an 84 Ranger 4x4 with a service body. The 2.8L has a rat living in the carb and I assume the engine is dead. I would be interested in the truck if a 302 swap is within the easy to moderate difficulty, allowing for the axle changes, trimming of front fenders for 33" tires, lifting via Rancho front kit (or something), etc.
I'm on California and would have to smog this truck. Thanks for the links above.
Russell
I'm on California and would have to smog this truck. Thanks for the links above.
Russell
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