2.8 vs 2.9 power?

rusty ol ranger · Feb 18, 2018

Looking at buying another ranger after 9 years. I found damn near an identical truck to the ranger i had for all those years...

But anyways, its a 85 2wd with a 2.8/5sp, guessing a 3.45 rear. My 87 was a 2.9/5sp with a 3.45, also 2wd.

After searching i couldnt find an answer, but, how much weaker in day to day driving will the 2.8 be next to the 2.9 i had? I know they are down 25hp and 20ftlbs, but i wont be getting passed up hills/off lights by oil burning 3 cylinder metros will i?

rangerenthiusiast · Feb 18, 2018

rusty ol ranger said:
Looking at buying another ranger after 9 years. I found damn near an identical truck to the ranger i had for all those years...

But anyways, its a 85 2wd with a 2.8/5sp, guessing a 3.45 rear. My 87 was a 2.9/5sp with a 3.45, also 2wd.

After searching i couldnt find an answer, but, how much weaker in day to day driving will the 2.8 be next to the 2.9 i had? I know they are down 25hp and 20ftlbs, but i wont be getting passed up hills/off lights by oil burning 3 cylinder metros will i?

Hey, Rusty.

I never had a 2.9, but I did have an ’83 with a 2.8 (2WD/5 Spd) and loved it. I ran it for 4 years, putting stakes on the bed and hauling around half cords of green oak (after adding some coil helper springs). That truck owed me NOTHING when I finally sold it. I always felt that it had good power and even my father (who used to race hot rods back in the day) was pretty impressed with the juice you could squeeze out of that little baby.

On a side note, I’ve read on Wikipedia that the 2.9s actually had a problem with cracking heads (again, can’t comment on it since I never had one), but I’ve never heard of a similar problem with the 2.8s. With a 2WD and a stick shift, I doubt that you’d notice much of a power difference.

Just my 2 cents. :icon_thumby:

85_Ranger4x4 · Feb 18, 2018

If it is in good shape and you are just driving empty in a ruralish setting you probably won't notice a difference. I thought mine had fairly adequate power for a compact truck considering the shape it was in.

But computer controlled carb and all that...

rusty ol ranger · Feb 19, 2018

Yeah, the feedback carb scares me a bit. Never really dealt with one except on an old 86 300 inline my dad had for about 2 months. Never had to wrench on it though.

Im going to look at the truck tonight, pry pick it up if i get it later in the week, im pretty excited, even though its kinda rusty and needs a few things.

On a side note, I’ve read on Wikipedia that the 2.9s actually had a problem with cracking heads (again, can’t comment on it since I never had one), but I’ve never heard of a similar problem with the 2.8s.

.

2.9s were prone to head cracks, but i put 325-350k on mine and never had an issue. Generally if you made it to the 150-200k mile mark and it didnt look like stanley steamer, then you for sure got a good one. But yes, i dont really recall ever reading about 2.8s having the issues like 2.9s did.

One other quick question, i was gonna rent a U haul dolly to get it home (he lost the keys, dont worry ill check the vin against the title) its about a 40 mile pull. If i put the front wheels on the dolly would i have to yank the driveshaft? Im assuming its a TK5. I think i can just want to verify.

4x4prepper · Feb 21, 2018

Having owned both, for daily driving there is not much of a difference, especially at a sedate pace off the line. The 2.9/5 speed gets better MPG.

Now, when towing there is a HUGE difference between the two motors, especially once you get to the 1000-3000# area, then the 2.9L is superior and you really feel it on the highway. You can drive the 2.9L/4.0 to 4k RPM towing. the 2.8L, not so much.

That being said, I rather have a 2.8L ! I have never had to change a TFI module or dist. on the side of the road with a 2.8L, unlike just about every 2.9L I have owned.

rusty ol ranger · Feb 21, 2018

4x4prepper said:
Having owned both, for daily driving there is not much of a difference, especially at a sedate pace off the line. The 2.9/5 speed gets better MPG.

Now, when towing there is a HUGE difference between the two motors, especially once you get to the 1000-3000# area, then the 2.9L is superior and you really feel it on the highway. You can drive the 2.9L/4.0 to 4k RPM towing. the 2.8L, not so much.

That being said, I rather have a 2.8L ! I have never had to change a TFI module or dist. on the side of the road with a 2.8L, unlike just about every 2.9L I have owned.

The truck i bought actually ended up being an 87 2.9L. The craigslist ad said it was an 85 with a 6cyl but when i got there i quickly realized it wasnt a 2.8

I really didnt want to deal with the feedback bs.

2.8 vs 2.9 power?

rusty ol ranger

Im a Jeep guy now.

rangerenthiusiast

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85_Ranger4x4

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rusty ol ranger

Im a Jeep guy now.

4x4prepper

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rusty ol ranger

Im a Jeep guy now.

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