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Sh*t Hit The Fan


TheGovernor916

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Okay, so Two weeks ago I hydro locked my 1997 2.3 L 4-cyl 5-speed manual Ranger, and threw a rod out the side of the block.

Being that my Ranger is a prerunner/race truck project, I decided to use this as an excuse to do a 4.0 Swap. So I found a 4.0l OHV on dezertrangers with trans attached. The seller said that the engine was a 1996, so i figured my truck doesn't need to be smogged for awhile next time it comes around it'll probably no longer be street legal anyway because it'll be a race truck, so the whole year older thing didn't bother me. I took the guys word that it was a 96' and went to install it without much research into the differences between an OBD I and OBD II engines or the difference between A4LD Trans and the 4R44E. Well after some wiring issues and stuff not linking up, me and my buddy assumed something was amiss. And a trip to the local Pick-n-pull confirmed what we had feared, the engine I had bought was a 94' not a 96'.

So I'm in deep now and am trying to figure out the best course of action.
My question is if anyone has ever rewired a truck from OBD II to OBD I? I don't care about smog, I'm just trying to gauge how big a PITA it'd be to rewire the truck.

Thanks
 


adsm08

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Honestly, by swapping sensors and such the biggest issue you should run across is the cam sensor not fitting properly.

A 4.0 is a 4.0 is a 4.0 until you get to the SOHC. The cam sensor is the only thing you should have any trouble with.
 

TheGovernor916

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Honestly, by swapping sensors and such the biggest issue you should run across is the cam sensor not fitting properly.

A 4.0 is a 4.0 is a 4.0 until you get to the SOHC. The cam sensor is the only thing you should have any trouble with.
What about behind dash wiring, and the computer? The engine didn't have a computer when I bought it.
 

adsm08

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PFFFF. Disregard that post, I had a stupid moment.

Yeah, find a computer for a 94, get a wiring book for a 94 and a 97 and start splicing stuff.
 

bobbywalter

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My credo
it is easier to fix and understand than "her"
get a 94 eec harness/pcm and make it stand alone....
 

shane96ranger

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^^ That's the easiest way of going about it. ^^
 

TheGovernor916

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So I found a 1999 5r55e Transmission. Will my truck run if I mate this tranny with my 1994 OHV 4.0 V6 with a 1997 OBDII Harness and computer spliced into it and my actual truck is a 1997. So the harness and coputer are OBD II, the Engine is set up for OBD I but already has has an OBD II harness spliced into it, and the truck I'm putting it in is OBD II.
 
Last edited:

TheGovernor916

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Need an answer soon. Wanna know if I should buy the newer tranny or not?
 

bobbywalter

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Messages
23,470
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113
Location
woodhaven mi
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
FORD mostly
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
BIGGER
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
sawzall?
Tire Size
33-44
My credo
it is easier to fix and understand than "her"
in this case put a ohv induction and sensor setup from a 97 on it and keep it obd2
 

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