• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

Hello, I bought a 1996 Ford Ranger. I have some questions about engine compatibility.


Garyd

New Member
Joined
Jun 3, 2019
Messages
4
Reaction score
1
Points
3
Location
Parkersburg, WV
Vehicle Year
1996
Make / Model
Ford Ranger XLT
Transmission
Manual
Hi there, I bought a 1996 ford ranger xlt 2wd. I am very happy with it. It only has 59k miles on it. The frame and body look good except the leaf spring hangers are pretty decrepit. So I am going to replace those and put some rust converter or chassis saver underneath the vehicle.

It runs very well and I hope I get many more miles out of it. But I was wondering about the engine. I have not really worked on cars a lot in terms of "newer" cars, meaning computerized stuff. To give you some background, my first car was a mustang ii 1976 with a 2.3liter engine. I replaced the transmission in that. I replaced engines in some old vw beetles in the past and have managed to keep a 1969 vw bus running which I still have. But this 1996 ranger seems so much more complicated than the older cars I worked on.

My question is, if the engine ever fails in this ranger, can I replace it with a simpler engine? Could I get a a 1970's style engine from a pinto or similar and put it in. No need for AC, 4 spark plug wires instead of 8 and so forth. Would the engine mount up to the transmission bell housing? Would the motor mounts be appropriate?

What is the most common approach catastrophic engine failure in one of these vehicles? I would guess a lot of people just buy a rebuilt engine and mount all the accessory stuff to it from the old engine (computer, alternator, etc).?

Is it possible or practical to put an older style but simpler engine into a newer Ranger?
 

Attachments



rusty ol ranger

Im a Jeep guy now.
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2007
Messages
12,261
Reaction score
7,271
Points
113
Location
Michigan
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Engine Size
177 CID
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
My credo
A legend to the old man, a hero to the child...
What engine is in it now?

If its a 4 cylinder the only direct bolt ins are 4 cylinders. The 3.0 can only be directly replaced with a 3.0, and the 4.0 shares commonality with the 2.8/2.9L engines, but that would be a step backwards in some folks opinions.

A 302 is a option. But it requires a different trans and motormounts, and wireing if you go EFI.
 

ericbphoto

Overlander in development
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Feb 7, 2016
Messages
15,202
Reaction score
16,340
Points
113
Age
59
Location
Wellford, SC
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Engine Size
3.0L
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6"
Tire Size
35"
My credo
In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are different.
Even though that truck has a computer controlled engine, it's still a pretty simple system compared to vehicles even just a couple years newer. Once you get used to it and start learning about it, you will probably find that it's not as complicated as you currently believe. Replacing the engine with one just like what it has now isn't really a lot more complicated than what you have done with other engines. Being careful, methodical and paying attention to detail is the key.

Swapping a different engine into that truck would be more complicated because then you have more wiring and system modifications to make in order to get it running.
 

Garyd

New Member
Joined
Jun 3, 2019
Messages
4
Reaction score
1
Points
3
Location
Parkersburg, WV
Vehicle Year
1996
Make / Model
Ford Ranger XLT
Transmission
Manual
Thank you for the replies. My ranger has a 2.3l 4 cylinder engine which is the stock engine but it has the dual spark plugs. It looks like ford used a 2.3l engine for years, but I didn’t know if the bell housing bolts and motor mounts were any different for different years.

I was sort of thinking if I ever needed to replace it just wanted to know what options would be available. It only has 59k mileage so at this point I am going to concentrate on taking care of it. But I am going to put a lot of effort into keeping the underneath rust free and taking care of it overall. So I could foresee replacing the engine someday if the engine does fail at some point.
 

ericbphoto

Overlander in development
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Feb 7, 2016
Messages
15,202
Reaction score
16,340
Points
113
Age
59
Location
Wellford, SC
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Engine Size
3.0L
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6"
Tire Size
35"
My credo
In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are different.
Sounds like a good plan.
 

adsm08

Senior Master Grease Monkey
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
Ford Technician
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Sep 20, 2009
Messages
34,623
Reaction score
3,613
Points
113
Location
Dillsburg PA
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
31X10.50X15
You could go to a carb distributor 2.3, if you really wanted to, but frankly that is far more complex than just leaving it be.

The head was really the only significant change to the 2.3 over it's entire run, its just that putting a carb into something built exclusively for EFI systems can be a pain.
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Kirby N.
March Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top