I was reading old threads about this topic and I thought I would start a new one. I got my hands on a 85 Bronco 2 with 65,000 miles with a manual transmission. I was reading about using an explorer engine. My question is this, would a newer year explorer engine work?

I have to admit I really know nothing about cars but I am planning on making this my off road toy and I want to do things right. Any advice and answers are greatly appreciated!

 

The 2.9 and 4.0L Explorer engine are essentially the same block and the 2.9 manual tranny bell housing should bolt up to the 4L block. You need to use the bigger 4L 10" clutch and mod the block plate that holds the starter. I had a good thread on BII.org on the swap I did in 2012. I don't think BII.org is up anymore. Not sure where that info might be now. I put a 93 Explorer 4L (which was originally an auto tranny and the computer works with my stick shift) in front of my TK5 bell housing. Go with a Centerforce II clutch. There are about 11 or 12 wires to splice under the hood near the steering shaft/brake booster area and I think one for the alternator. The AC will swap over too. The "newer" engines I don't know about but I assume the V8 would have to move with its tranny. I'm sure the V8 would not bolt up to the 2.9 bell housing.

I'm currently working on putting a 2nd t-case in mine. I got TM Doubler #18 from Happy Jack on here and have just rebuilt it. Getting ready to install it as soon as I'm done building a new crossmember to support the back of the t-case since it's moving rearward 8in.

 

 

Hey Powrstrkr, I'm just starting to fiqure out the wiring from the 1997 4.0l to 1987 B2. I read on your post that there is about 12 or so wires to splice around the steering shaft. any way you could share how you determined what to splice to another,any pictures would be nice. Thx David