engine swap
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
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engine swap
My brother just wrecked his 96 Ranger. He was looking at a 94 Ranger as his next truck. His 96 was a 3.0liter automatic but the 94 is a 4cyl manual. He wanted to put the 3.0 in the 4cyls spot. Will the flywheel work from motor to motor and are the bellhousings the same? Also, what about the electronics? It will prolly need a new computer but will the 96 computer just plug into the place of the 94? Let me know if any of this will work and the possible difficulties involved. Thanks.
Erik
Erik
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,436
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From: Virginia
If the frame on his 96' is ok or fixable, then he would probably have an easier time swaping body parts. Just my $.02
The other option I would consider is just buy it and drive it. If he doesn't need the extra torque for towing then he would be going from a ~17mpg truck to a ~27+mpg truck. Easy choice for me.
The other option I would consider is just buy it and drive it. If he doesn't need the extra torque for towing then he would be going from a ~17mpg truck to a ~27+mpg truck. Easy choice for me.
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well the frame isn't messed up he just wanted the extra power of the 3liter with a manual behind it. We have time to do the swap while he drives my old dog (1979 F150 400M C6.) If it was doable with very little expense I would tackle it. Gas milage is not a big issue he just wanted to try out the 3liter in front of a 5 speed that's all.
Erik
Erik
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,759
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From: Elk River, MN
The engine swap is not a bolt in. The tranny bolt patterns are different between 2.3L and 3.0L. You would need to swap in the auto tranny with the 3.0L. You will need also 3.0L radiator, shroud, fan and clutch, exhaust, battery cables and motor mounts. There was a big wiring change in 95. I seem to remember something about going from 102 pin PCM to 120 pin PCM. The 94 PCM is located in the driver's kick panel accessable by removing the driver's side fender apron.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Virginia
I have a 2.3L in my older truck (88" Ranger) and I know that they didn't use the same bell housing between the 2.3L and the 2.9L. There were a limited # of trucks that had the same Mitsubishi 5sp trans during my generation Ranger, but different bell housings. I would be surprised if the bolt pattern was the same on the 2.3L to 3.0L.
As for the extra power...... to me, it is just a Ranger, not a Mustang. I would take the mpg any day.
As for the extra power...... to me, it is just a Ranger, not a Mustang. I would take the mpg any day.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Alvin, Texas.
3.slow and "extra power".
Funny.
Would the 3.slow bolt into the 94? Yes, but since that engine went to coil packs in 95, you'd have to cobble an OBD1 harness and distributor and plug that into the 94 truck.
You'd need the tranny, too. The tranny is the same in name only, bellhousings are differnt and don't swap over. The clutch is the same, though.
Stick with the 2.3L in that other truck. At least you can expect to be slow in a truck like that. If you can't shift, that is.
Pat has the premise, but battery cables? They are generic. Clutch? Covered that one.
Anyway, point being, OBD1 to OBD2? Don't bother. If it was a 95 truck with a 2.3L, I'd tell you otherwise, since those are OBD2.
Funny.
Would the 3.slow bolt into the 94? Yes, but since that engine went to coil packs in 95, you'd have to cobble an OBD1 harness and distributor and plug that into the 94 truck.
You'd need the tranny, too. The tranny is the same in name only, bellhousings are differnt and don't swap over. The clutch is the same, though.
Stick with the 2.3L in that other truck. At least you can expect to be slow in a truck like that. If you can't shift, that is.
Pat has the premise, but battery cables? They are generic. Clutch? Covered that one.
Anyway, point being, OBD1 to OBD2? Don't bother. If it was a 95 truck with a 2.3L, I'd tell you otherwise, since those are OBD2.
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Yeah it's not my vehicle. I'm just asking if it would work. I don't know all of the swapable parts on a new vehicle. If you ask me questions about old trucks I can give you answers and even do it, but this new stuff gives me a headache. My brother wanted to get a bit more power and he had a v6 sittin around. I'm not impressed by it personally, but it's not my truck. Hell with my 79 I can smoke the hell out of the tires and all I did was replace the bottom end and put a 4bbl manifold on it with a Holley I built with a buddy of mine. If he wanted power that would be the way to go. But he's never had power before, so he thinks his 3liter is great. I'll tell him it would be easier to put a 302 and 5 speed out of Mustang in it (not that that's an option.) Thanks anyhow.
Erik
Erik
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