Hi, Im new to this area/forum of ford-trucks.Im getting a 83 or 86 ford ranger its a 4cyl, 5 speed,4x4, but the motor has a knock, I was wonderng will a 2.8 or 2.9 bolt up to the existing 5 speed or will I have to use a 2.0 or 2.3 what would you reccommend? It is cabed also, is it hard to switch over to efi? I know you need all the wiring, computer, and fuel pump.

 

The 2.3l was fuel injected from '85 up, so if you have carburetion you have either an '83 or '84. The transmission is interchagable, however the bellhousing will need to be swapped off of a similar era truck with the same trans and 2.8/2.9 motor, as the 2.0/2.3/2.5 Lima family has a different bolt pattern than the 2.8/2.9/4.0 Cologne. The wiring, ETC. for a 4cyl w/carb-6cyl w/efi would be extensive, certainly not a weekend project! My advice is to rebuilt the 2.3l, although you'll be underpowered, if you do the rebuild right the 2.3l is a VERY durable engine.

 

Nope you'll need the same four banger. The bolt patterns are unique to each engine since the bellhousing is part of the tranny on this transmission.

The 2.3L wouldn't be too hard to switch I don't believe, the 2.0L I dunno if it's possible or even worth it.

 

thanks i appreciate the help guess ill jsut find another 2.3 to drop in.

 

The 2.0l is a de-bored 2.3l if memory serves me correctly. They were never fuel injected, and were VERY short on power. And just a FYI, the bellhousing on the TK4/5 and the Mitsu FM145/146 transmissions that came before the M5ODR1 had a removable bellhousing, only the Mazda does not.

 

Actually....... Most all of the 2.3L 4x2 mid to late 80's (& probably later) had the 1 piece Mazda 5sp trans. On the other hand the 4x4 generally came with the Mitsubishi 5sp that had a 2 piece case (separate bell housing).

As far as the bolt pattern, yes, as mentioned already the 2.3L and 2.9L are different.

I say rebuild the 2.3L, but my interests are in a truck that just needs to haul supplies for home improvement projects with good gas mileage, and not to try being a ground pounder. It's a truck after all. If you want power (and insist on a Ford), I say get a Mustang, or GT that is better equipped to handle the road.

 

The 2.8 v-6 was carbed, and would make for an easier swap, but personally, I would rather have the 2.3 than the 2.8. If you have to have a v-6, and are willing to go through the trouble, I'ld swap in the 4.0, it's the king of the ranger v-6's, it would make the trouble worth wild. The 2.3 is a good little engine, it's been around forever, it's tried, and true. One of the best ways to get a little more power out of the 2.3, is gears, gets the power to the wheels.

 

Would a Thunderbird turbo four work in there easily?

 

Yes, as it's a 2.3, it's a direct bolt in, but it is an FI motor, so you would need the computer, and wiring harness, also an electric fuel pump of some sort.

 

With no relief on gas prices any time soon, I wouldn't want anything but the 2.3.The newer ones have decent horsepower for a small truck.

 

You're forgetting the Toyo Kogyo 4/5spd. The Mazda wasn't introduced until 1988, until that point you could get either the TK or the Mitsu, after '88 (until '92) the 2.9l could be backed with either the Mazda or the Mitsu, though the 2.3l only came with the Mazda after '88. It's almost certain that an '83/'84 2.3l would have the Toyo, and almost all (though not every last one) 2.3l's had the 5spd, most 4spd's found their way behind a 2.0. And just to clarify, the Toyo and Mitsu BOTH had a removable bellhousing, I know, I have a Toyo in my garage right now in 2 pieces.

 

thanks guys ,I appreciate all this I am getting thic truck for the sole purpose of gas mileage.

 

BSmitty - well that would figure since nothing ever seems to be consistant with these 80's trucks. Kind of like those 4x2's that had the fake transfer cases. What were they thinking?