Engine swap

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Jan 27, 2001 | 09:25 AM

894x2keith

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Engine swap

I have an 89' f150 that is begging for a new engine. i was wondering how much it would be to have someone else do it? is 950$ a reasonable price and while im taking it apart switch it from 2wd to 4wd. is this a good idea ? how much would it cost? where can i get the parts i need?

Jan 27, 2001 | 11:48 AM

billyb

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Engine swap

first of all, two questions. how much money do you have? how good are you with wrenches?
if you have money, sell the 2wd and buy a decent 4x4.
if you like working on vehicles and are fairly good with mechanical things, i would advise buying a rusted or wrecked 4x4 f150 or big later model bronco and swap out what you need.
i did the 2wd to 4wd conversion and it has been great.( i did just have to rebuild the transfer case-it had 125,000 miles on it). it took about 12 hours, including cleaning and painting parts.
the problem with paying people to do the work is that it can quickly eat a lot of cash to make a 2wd a4wd, and it often is more than the cost of a decent running 4wd.
oh well, just my two cents worth of advice.

Jan 27, 2001 | 04:19 PM

jakegypsum

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From: Linwood, N.J. USA!

Engine swap

What type of engine does your truck have in it? What type of motor do you want to put in it? Rebuilt from the factory is over $1000.00 for the most part not including labor and misc parts. One from a doner truck would be cheaper but you never know what you are getting from a salvage yard. I am pro 4x4 and I do feel that would be a good move, but it can be costly if you don't know the mechanic. Good luck.

Jakegypsum // Ford fleet, soup to nuts.

Feb 1, 2001 | 03:07 PM

894x2keith

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Engine swap

I dont have much money but i might be able to find a rusted out 4x4 up the road. I have swapped an engine before and im good with my hands. What parts would i need to get off the donor truck to put 4wd into mine? The body on my truck is in great condition and i would like to keep it. How long would it take just to go from 2wd to 4wd?
Thanks for the help.

Feb 1, 2001 | 05:48 PM

billyb

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Engine swap

it took me 12 hours to swap the suspensions, inccluding cleaning and painting and putting the 2wd parts back in the old 4wd donor.
check the four wheel drive section for info on parts, mudinford has listed what is necessary to do swap and i have put some info in the same section . check the archives to find '86 2wd to 4wd .
if you get a donor truck, be sure it is close in model year and if you have abs, try to get one with it if possible. this is not absolutely needed, but it makes things easier.

Feb 1, 2001 | 05:53 PM

thecoppercowboy

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Engine swap

What I would be looking for, then is a 4x4 truck roughly the same year and type as yours with a rusted or dented body and a good running engine and drivetrain. It would be cheaper to swap the body parts from your good truck to the 4x4 chassis. Pulling beds, cabs, front clips, and bumpers would be easier than wresling with axles, transmissions, engines, and transfer cases. I.M.H.O. If you're still full of energy, put together the 4x4 body parts on the 2 wheel drive chassis and sell it off as is.