PLEASE tell me...is it worth it?

So I have a stock 2.9L manual trans., in my 91 supercab. Plain and simple it just doesnt have enough power to please me. I have considered modifications but this thing is so sluggish I really would like to have at least a 4.0 in there. The vehicle is in great shape for the year and I like the body style. Here is what I am considering: whats gonna cost me the least amount of money and hassle?

1) Let the motor blow, find a donor 4.0 motor have it machined and swapped by a professional. (I really dont have much mechanical knowledge, tools, or garage) Anyone know what that would cost me?? What kind of shop would do that?

2) Sell or trade for a newer ranger with a 4.0, maybe a prerunner.

I really dont have any mods in the truck now so my feelings wouldnt be too hurt to let it go. However a nice suspension like the James Duff with radius arms and some 33" tires would be a for sure in the future.

Re-gear your axles. It's something you should do anyway if you're gonna put 33" tires on it.

Gee... everyone starts off with "machining" an engine....

You must have cubic dollars in addition to your desire for cubic inches.

Might I suggest picking a running donor engine from a junkyard that will let you SEE the engine running before you buy it and simply swap it in as-is.

"machining" to me means bending over and letting your wallet get sodomized.

indeed "machining" sounds like someone boring out my bank account. Which is why I asked.
Regear? Ok its already slow, what would be a good setup for when I get the 33s on there. Really it just has no acceleration.

one more question. Is regearing a hard procedure? and what parts do I need to get? front and back?......can you tell I am a little new at this?

I'd do some diagnosis before deciding what to do if I were you.

VERY often, complaints of sluggishness from a 2.9L are one of two things:

1. Driver error. Keep the tach over 2000 RPM all the time, and preferably near 2500 RPM. If you think you're saving fuel by driving it at 1500 RPM, guess again.

2. Mixture management issues. This requires some skill to diagnose, but the problems are rarely all that expensive.

There are other things it could be, but it would be silly to spend hundreds of dollars on a junkyard engine, or well over $1000 on machine work for a $15 battery cable or a $30 tachometer.

There is some good reading and a happy outcome in the thread several slots below yours called "96 suffers 1st big problem... In need of some good help!"

But, I have to agree with the advice so far - adding a 4.0 might be better on paper but practically, not so much. Do as MAKG suggests, get it running well. Then you can find a buyer. Then you can go buy you a Ranger with a 4.0.

I have to disagree with you on one point woody, it takes a pretty sick 4.0 to not romp all over a 2.9.

No a 4.0 doesn't have much more power, but what it does have
is 32% more peak torque and up to 60% more torque in some
parts of the rpm band and in any event more torque ANYWHERE
in the engine's rpm band (1100rpm to 4600rpm) than a 2.9 is
capable of making.

Torque wins.

From personal experience after having driven well over 600,000 miles
in 2.9 powered vehicles and almost exactly 260,000miles in the vehicle
I'm driving now I can say that in a supercab with 4.10 gears a 4.0 CAN
actually be driven (but cannot accelerate from) at 1500rpm while a 2.9
has essentially nothing useful below 2200rpm, for acceleration anyway,
and for "Cruising" on level ground the 2.9 is much happier between 2600
and 2900rpm.

The 4.0 makes 200ft/lb of torque at 1100rpm and builds to a peak of 225ft/lb@2500-3000rpm* a 2.9 only makes 170ft/lb at it's peak at 2600rpm. and the 4.0 doesn't stop making 200ftlb of torque until it hits 4100ft/lb just below it's 4200rpm power peak, but even at 4600rpm (the power peak rpm of a 2.9) it's still making more torque than
the 2.9 CAN produce, even under ideal circumstances.

Yeah there doesn't seem to be "much more" there when you drive
a 4.0 once or twice and "Get on it" several times, but after you drive it
for several weeks or (better yet) a month or two, you quickly discover
that it's strengh is how it behaves when you are NOT "on it", it seems
to effortlessly do at 1/3-1/2throttle and ~2000rpm anything a 2.9 can
do even if the 2.9 is screaming it's heart out.

This is not subjective impression, this is objective reality.

Ths difference is much like the difference between a 300hp 327 chevy running
against a 325hp 396 Big block in the same chassis, this is something I've actually
done... twice...

Yeah, there's a LITTLE more power there, but the difference is that the big block
just doesn't have to struggle to do anything you ask of it.
where a pony would have to work HARD, those Clydesdales just motor on through....

*The 4.0's torque curve is relatively flat @~220ft/lb across a 600rpm range,
so basically anywhere between 2500rpm and 3000rpm can arbitrarily be called it's "torque peak" depending on which exact calibration and installation you
are refering to.

It is worth it?

That depends on your knowledge, skill level, available tools
access to cheap (read: JUNKYARD) parts and your attention to detail.

I had ONE wiring error (an unconnected ground) after completely rewiring
the entire engine bay, installing the '93 power distribution, the 130Amp alternator
cruise control rewiring my fog and driving lights and wiring in my dual tank system
AND converting my truck from 2wd to 4x4.

Though I should also point out that I learned wiring in the electronics industry and I could probably rewire most of the black boxes in the avionics bay of a Grumman A6
from memory even though it's been 20 years since I worked at Lear-Sigler.

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21mpg from a 4.0/5sp/4.10 geared 4x4 supercab?, Ok Who's pushing me!!!

Click to expand...

I wouldn't doubt it possible under the right conditions. I averaged 19 mpg over 3 tanks through mountain terrain earlier this week in my explorer.

My bronco with the 2.8 in good condition got a best of 20. Once.

The 4.0 is well worth the swap. It's much more usable. You don't have to work the motor at max effort just to maintain speed. That by itself would be worth it to me. PUlling 5th gear with 1/4 throttle compared to 3rd gear at 4500 up a mountain pass... I know which I'd choose.

Is there another Woody out there?

Surely you don't mean me?!?!

I am in complete agreement with you that the man needs a 4.0 and would not argue the difference between the two The 2.9, while reliable does not have the torgue of the 4.0.

My comment was more aimed at the practicality of the matter when he said he wouldn't mind letting the car go and is already thinking of moving to another truck. I was addressing the "is it worth it" question. He also admitted he does not have the junkyard education and mechanical skills to attempt an engine change - let him get a new truck and bolt on some big tires and go drive the thing - that's the point anyway isn't it?

Is there any chance we once saw you on the deck of an aircraft carrier with an A6??? It would explain a lot.

Naaa... the only carriers I've ever been aboard are The Intrepid, AFTER it was
parked in NY.

The Forrestal on a fleet visit in Norfolk.

And the Nimitz when they were still welding big pieces onto it
in the dry dock in Newport News.


I just worked for different contractors through the 1980's.

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