Yet ANOTHER engine swap question....
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Harrisburg USA
Yet ANOTHER engine swap question....
I know I could have checked this out on my own, but feeling a little lazy. I thought I'd get a "feel" for the possibilities here first, since there are many swap experts viewing these forums.
I have an 85 with the 2.8 V6 and A4LD. I have to do something within the year or so, or it may leave me sit. So one of the things I'm considering is a swap for a bigger engine, but I will ONLY do it if it is almost a perfect drop-in (mechanically).
Has anyone ever dropped a 4.0 into an older engine compartment like mine?? Are the motor mounts in the same place?? Other clearance issues?? I already know that there will be computer and electrical issues, but before I even THINK about that, I need to know what kind of mechanical issues I might face. The earlier 4.0 engines were bolted to A4LD trannies before the 5 speed auto was intoduced, right??? So, would a 4.0 and A4LD fit perfectly into MY truck???
I have an 85 with the 2.8 V6 and A4LD. I have to do something within the year or so, or it may leave me sit. So one of the things I'm considering is a swap for a bigger engine, but I will ONLY do it if it is almost a perfect drop-in (mechanically).
Has anyone ever dropped a 4.0 into an older engine compartment like mine?? Are the motor mounts in the same place?? Other clearance issues?? I already know that there will be computer and electrical issues, but before I even THINK about that, I need to know what kind of mechanical issues I might face. The earlier 4.0 engines were bolted to A4LD trannies before the 5 speed auto was intoduced, right??? So, would a 4.0 and A4LD fit perfectly into MY truck???
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Alvin, Texas.
You really need to look down into the engine bay of a 4.0L donor truck to get a good idea of what needs to be done in your 2.8L truck....
I doubt the mounts are in the same places, but they could be close, so I would not sweat that too much.
Either way, the drivetrain should fit easily, as the Ranger frame has been pretty much the same since it came along in the early 80s.
I doubt the mounts are in the same places, but they could be close, so I would not sweat that too much.
Either way, the drivetrain should fit easily, as the Ranger frame has been pretty much the same since it came along in the early 80s.
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Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Edmonton, AB Canada
it all depends on what you use the truck for. Your truck is older and was never opted for the 4.0l engine so you are going to need the motor mounts and accesorie drives. The nice thing about your truck is that the transmission will work with your new motor but i am not to sure about what combination of flywheel and torque converter you would need to use. The real bitch that you arent going to like hearing is that the 4.0l is a fuel injected engine which means you are going to need the computer and complete wiring harness and then have to wire that into the rest of the truck. Your best bet would be to just install a carburated 302 with a C4 transmission and all the parts that you will need for that Advance adapters makes and will sell you @ www.advanceadpaters.com and then click on the online catalouge and it will give you a run down of the swap
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Harrisburg USA
It looks like dropping a 4.0 into an older Ranger isn't too hard. One of the engine mounts (passenger side???) needs to be modified a little, or the engine doesn't sit level side to side.
One thing that I wasn't telling you ... I had planned to CARBURETE this engine. I was going to drop in a bare bones assembled motor, and put a good 2 barrel system on, like Weber, or a small 4 barrel, and headers. That's why I wasn't asking too many questions in regard to the FI hardware & software. But, even still, it's probably more trouble than it's worth. Unfortunately, this isn't one of my toys ... it is a vehicle that I need to depend on, therefore can't have it off the road for too long during the swap. I'll probably just end up rebuilding my little 2.8 like I had planned to. That way, no surprises.
One thing that I wasn't telling you ... I had planned to CARBURETE this engine. I was going to drop in a bare bones assembled motor, and put a good 2 barrel system on, like Weber, or a small 4 barrel, and headers. That's why I wasn't asking too many questions in regard to the FI hardware & software. But, even still, it's probably more trouble than it's worth. Unfortunately, this isn't one of my toys ... it is a vehicle that I need to depend on, therefore can't have it off the road for too long during the swap. I'll probably just end up rebuilding my little 2.8 like I had planned to. That way, no surprises.
