1988 Bronco II XLT - 2.9V6 - Auto - 4x4 - Manual xfer case - A/C -

Tranny is shot - Engine almost shot (215,000 Miles) - Everything else OK
Would like to drop in a good 4.0V6 & auto tranny if I can locate one.
Anyone done this or have info ?

 

The search button will do wonders on this subject. For sanity's sake figure on finding a donor vehicle because you will need everything including the engine, trans, wiring, computer and all accessories. The earlier the donor (91-92) the less painful the wiring will be. Find a 4x4 explorer for a donor and you could upgrade the suspension plus the front and rear ends too.

 

Alot of people have done that swap, im think of doing it myself. Just about the only serious knowledge you need outside of disassembling and reassembling each motor for removal and installment, is wiring....that just about that only big deal with this swap un-like the v8 swap where you need to get convesion kits and weld stuff.

 

Thanks both...and I'm still listening, er, watching

 

Suppose I find an 2x2 Explorer.... will my transfer case bolt to that AT ?

 

Im not entirely sure, what you can do is look in the manaul and see how the 2x2 explorer is setup, if it is setup like the 2x2 bronco II is with a "dummy" transfercase then yes it will work just by swaping transfercases, other wise im not sure......but im almost postive that you can put you transfercase onto that tranny with no problem.

 

Seems the most painless (wiring wise, not drivetrain wise) and overlooked swap is an early Ranger (90-92?) 3.0 Vulcan. They use the same distributor/ignition, fuel injected, and the same computer as the 2.9. The only heartache is the bellhousing bolt pattern is different -- at least as far as my research has led me to believe. The 'beautiful' thing about the 3.0s and 4.0s is that there are more aftermarket products (unless you want to hybrid your 2.9 with 2.8 internal parts... i.e. cam/valvetrain) and even OEM products to do a nice build-up ... that's just my $.02

 

Thanks for the post guys... Seems like all 4x4 Explorers I run across use the electronic shift xfer cases.....wondering if one of these trannys would take the manual case ? I am actively looking for a donor Explorer 4x4 or 2x2 with 4.0 and AT. Engine/tranny/wiring/computer must be good ! Other stuff doesn't matter....A role-over would 1st choice...

 

Just don't cut yourself short looking only at / for Explorers for parts. Rangers have a lot of the same parts as well

 

heres the list of donors ive haerd so far...

1990-1994 areostar (dont sure of tranny swap, not sure if any had 4x4 ethier, could look into it)

1990-1994 Ranger, same as explorer

1990-1994 mazda something (looks like the explorer)

 

they made aero stars with full time tcases as an option just like some exploder models.

 

Well, I'm back again after a year of procasternating and looking for an engine and THINK I may have found what I need... I really appreciate all the help posted here and it has helped my search. What I need now is some input from people who have actaully made the complete 4.0 and tranny swap. I understand that all the wiring and electronics have to also be transferred...Next week I hope to go and see the vehicle and find out exactly what I have here... Wish me luck....../gene

 

Glad to hear things are coming together! Good luck, and hope all goes well. You should be able to engine and transmission/t-case together and drop it in if both are 4x4s.