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  #1  
Old 01-13-2011, 04:53 AM
Rodnocker Rodnocker is offline
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Default 2.9 to 4.0 swap questions

Ok... I have an 89 Ranger (stats below) that I bought cheap for a project. While looking for body parts (bed and fenders) I have come across a 1990 or 91 (not sure) that fits the bill for the body parts. I think I can get it for $500.00 but that is a little much just for the body parts I am wanting. However, this truck also has a 4.0L engine with about 70k miles on it.

I have never done a motor swap so I am a little worried about what I will run into if I attempt this. Will the 4.0l bolt up to my transmission? The donor has an automatic and I would prefer to keep 5sp. Would this be a straight swap or am I going to be dealing with wiring harnesses and computers and such?

The more I think about the donor, the more I realize I can use from it on mine. My problem is that I don't know that it is worth $500 to me if I can't use the motor as well.

Thanks for your help on this.
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1989 Ford Ranger XLT Extended Cab 4x4
2.9L V6
d28 front, 7.5" rear with 3.73 gears
Mitsubishi FM146 manual transmission
31x10.5 15 tires
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  #2  
Old 01-13-2011, 06:14 PM
xxskouxx xxskouxx is offline
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Default Re: 2.9 to 4.0 swap questions

Im doing the same swap into my 87 4x4 and what i have learned is you have to switch the computer and it is a dirrect bolt in other than that. Now im not finished yet but so far so good and when i finish ill let you know more.
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  #3  
Old 01-13-2011, 06:22 PM
drppdyllwrngr drppdyllwrngr is offline
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Default Re: 2.9 to 4.0 swap questions

it should be pretty much unbolt from one, bolt into the other. you'll have all the wiring, mounts, hoses, etc.

your 2.9 trans will work, but probably not for long. the 2.9 trans isn't made for the torque of the 4.0. i would recommend just running the 4.0 trans or find a 5 speed for a 4.0
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  #4  
Old 01-14-2011, 04:43 AM
Rodnocker Rodnocker is offline
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Default Re: 2.9 to 4.0 swap questions

I have pulled transmissions and replaced clutches, replaced brake lines and done brake jobs, pulled gas tanks and replaced fuel pumps but I've never pulled a motor to do a swap though. I am pretty confident on the mechanical part. I'm just a little nervous about all the electrical, wiring and such. Maybe if I get stuck, I can get you to come up and give me a hand

Now I just have to get the money together before it is sold to someone else.
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1989 Ford Ranger XLT Extended Cab 4x4
2.9L V6
d28 front, 7.5" rear with 3.73 gears
Mitsubishi FM146 manual transmission
31x10.5 15 tires
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  #5  
Old 01-14-2011, 01:32 PM
Rodnocker Rodnocker is offline
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Default Re: 2.9 to 4.0 swap questions

Ok, I went and looked at the "maybe donor" truck today and this is what I found out about it.

Date: 10/91
R14 — Ranger 4x2 (2-door SuperCab)
X — 4.0L EFI-OHV, six cylinder (Explorer, Ranger)
T - A4LD 4-Speed Automatics (1985-1994)
R5 - L/S 8.8" 3.55

1. As it has been stated, I would be better off not to use my manual transmission. With this donor being a 4x2, will my transfer case bolt up to it?

2. While I would love to have the 8.8 L/S rear end on mine, the 3.55 gearing does not match my current 3.73 front diff.

3. Even if I can put my transfer case on this automatic, won't the wiring be wrong from my manual+transfer case that I have now? I have push-button 4wd now with the manual 5sp.

Any help on what issues I might run into, what else I may need to buy, would be greatly appreciated as I am on a tight budget with this. If I can get this for $500.00, it is going to pretty much take most of the money I have planned for this.

Parts I know I can use
a. bed
b. driver's fender
c. drivers door
d. cat-back exhaust

I will include a few pictures of the donor below.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 2011-01-14_13-39-03_744.jpg (96.7 KB, 20 views)
File Type: jpg 2011-01-14_13-30-30_440.jpg (100.2 KB, 18 views)
File Type: jpg 2011-01-14_13-31-43_492.jpg (99.9 KB, 21 views)
File Type: jpg 2011-01-14_13-36-24_111.jpg (95.4 KB, 20 views)
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1989 Ford Ranger XLT Extended Cab 4x4
2.9L V6
d28 front, 7.5" rear with 3.73 gears
Mitsubishi FM146 manual transmission
31x10.5 15 tires
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  #6  
Old 01-14-2011, 02:02 PM
TurdFX4 TurdFX4 is offline
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Default Re: 2.9 to 4.0 swap questions

Quote:
Originally Posted by xxskouxx View Post
Im doing the same swap into my 87 4x4 and what i have learned is you have to switch the computer and it is a dirrect bolt in other than that. Now im not finished yet but so far so good and when i finish ill let you know more.
X2

It's actually a pretty straight forward swap from what I understand. I think James Duff has a write up on their site about it as well.


Im going to be doing a manual trans swap into my '94 4.0 auto this spring
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  #7  
Old 01-14-2011, 02:56 PM
drppdyllwrngr drppdyllwrngr is offline
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Default Re: 2.9 to 4.0 swap questions

putting your t-case on the new trans will require complete tear down of both trans. unless the older ones are different than the newer ones. the newer ones have to be to change the tail shaft.
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  #8  
Old 01-15-2011, 04:59 AM
Rodnocker Rodnocker is offline
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Default Re: 2.9 to 4.0 swap questions

Thanks, that's what I needed to know.

Next question. Will the rear end bolt up direct to my drive shaft?

Also, I've always heard that with 4x4, the gears have to be the same. The front is 3.73 and the donor is 3.55. Keeping in mind that I'm tight on budget, how cheaply could I get the 3.73 gears. How would I be able to find them in a JY?
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1989 Ford Ranger XLT Extended Cab 4x4
2.9L V6
d28 front, 7.5" rear with 3.73 gears
Mitsubishi FM146 manual transmission
31x10.5 15 tires
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  #9  
Old 01-15-2011, 05:22 AM
TurdFX4 TurdFX4 is offline
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Default Re: 2.9 to 4.0 swap questions

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rodnocker View Post
Thanks, that's what I needed to know.

Next question. Will the rear end bolt up direct to my drive shaft?

Also, I've always heard that with 4x4, the gears have to be the same. The front is 3.73 and the donor is 3.55. Keeping in mind that I'm tight on budget, how cheaply could I get the 3.73 gears. How would I be able to find them in a JY?
you'd be better off getting a junkyard axle. It would be cheaper than paying someone to regear your axle. I would look for a 8.8" w/ 3.73 gears, and who knows, you might get lucky and find one with a Trac-Loc
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  #10  
Old 01-15-2011, 09:44 AM
Bird76Mojo Bird76Mojo is offline
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Default Re: 2.9 to 4.0 swap questions

I'd stay away from using ANY A4LD transmission. Even the ones built for use behind the 4.0, with larger clutch packs, are still junk. I love my old 89 manual.


GB
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2001 Edge Regular cab, auto 4.0L 4x4 4.10LS 8.8

1987 standard cab w/92 5.0/T5Z 31 spline 8.8 w/Torsen

1989 Regular cab longbed, manual 2.9 4x4 - Parts BroncoII's x 3
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  #11  
Old 01-16-2011, 05:41 AM
Rodnocker Rodnocker is offline
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Default Re: 2.9 to 4.0 swap questions

As far as the rear axle, what will straight swap for mine and bolt up to my drive shaft? Other than an 89-92 ranger, I don't know what else I can look for.

I really wish there were a search program that you could just put in "1989 ford ranger driver door" and it would list everything that had the same door.
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1989 Ford Ranger XLT Extended Cab 4x4
2.9L V6
d28 front, 7.5" rear with 3.73 gears
Mitsubishi FM146 manual transmission
31x10.5 15 tires
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  #12  
Old 01-16-2011, 06:13 AM
Bird76Mojo Bird76Mojo is offline
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Default Re: 2.9 to 4.0 swap questions

BroncoII rear axles should bolt right in. Shame you're not closer. I have 2 or 3 of them.



GB
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2001 Edge Regular cab, auto 4.0L 4x4 4.10LS 8.8

1987 standard cab w/92 5.0/T5Z 31 spline 8.8 w/Torsen

1989 Regular cab longbed, manual 2.9 4x4 - Parts BroncoII's x 3
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  #13  
Old 01-16-2011, 08:27 AM
Rodnocker Rodnocker is offline
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Default Re: 2.9 to 4.0 swap questions

Will any year Bronco II bolt up? Also, is there any other ford and year I should be looking for?
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1989 Ford Ranger XLT Extended Cab 4x4
2.9L V6
d28 front, 7.5" rear with 3.73 gears
Mitsubishi FM146 manual transmission
31x10.5 15 tires
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  #14  
Old 04-02-2011, 03:59 PM
xxskouxx xxskouxx is offline
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Default Re: 2.9 to 4.0 swap questions

Hey does anyone know if i can connect my 87 wiring harness up to the 4.0s harness for the coils

----------

I got the wiring that is connected to the engine and thats it i was wondering if it was possible to do. so i can keep the rest for the headlight and dash. thanks
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  #15  
Old 07-19-2011, 11:30 AM
Rodnocker Rodnocker is offline
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Default Re: 2.9 to 4.0 swap questions

Well, it has been a while since I got to work on my Ranger but getting ready to get started back on it and could use some advice.

What I currently have...
1989 Ford Ranger XLT Extended Cab 4x4
2.9L V6
d28 front, 7.5" open rear with 3.73 gears
Mitsubishi FM146 manual transmission
31x10.5 15 tires

Issues...
Bed is rusted out and will have to be replaced.
Front fenders have been cut out (and not done well) so need to be replaced.
Engine runs "fair" but does not seem to have much power.
I would "like" to upgrade the 7.5" rear but is not a "have to do"

What I am getting...
Wrecked 91/92 (it is labeled 10/91) Ford Ranger XLT Extended Cab 4x2
4.0L V6 OHV
8.8" L/S with 3.55 gears
A4LD Transmission

I am getting this wrecked truck for the drivers side fender and door as well as the front clip and the bed to put on my truck. My delima is I want to move as much from the donor as I can over to my own truck but I don't want to have to spend more on it.

For instance, I want to move the 4.0L over to replace my 2.9L but I don't want to have to replace my transmission and I know the automatic will not work (a4ld is 4x2 and my truck is 4x4). I had thought about trying to sell the a4ld and try to find a m5od to put behind the 4.0 but have yet to be able to locate one.

Any suggestions on what direction I should go with this would be greatly appreciated.
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1989 Ford Ranger XLT Extended Cab 4x4
2.9L V6
d28 front, 7.5" rear with 3.73 gears
Mitsubishi FM146 manual transmission
31x10.5 15 tires
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