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.

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.

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

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 :D

Now I just have to get the money together before it is sold to someone else.

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.

Re: 2.9 to 4.0 swap questions
 

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

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.

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?

Re: 2.9 to 4.0 swap questions
 

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

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 :)

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.

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 :)

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?

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

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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

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.