Introduction

This section of The Ranger Station Tech Library covers every factory engine and fuel system used in the 1983–2011 Ford Ranger and Bronco II, along with popular upgrades, performance modifications, and engine swap information contributed by experienced owners and builders.

Here you’ll find detailed specifications, rebuild guides, troubleshooting help, wiring information, and real-world installation articles for 4-cylinder, V6, and V8 engines, including carbureted, EFI, turbocharged, supercharged, and EcoBoost-powered combinations.

Whether you’re maintaining a stock daily driver, rebuilding an original engine, increasing horsepower, improving fuel economy, or planning a complete engine swap, this library serves as a centralized reference for Ford Ranger engines, fuel delivery systems, intake and exhaust modifications, emissions equipment, and tuning strategies.

Disclaimer: Information provided for reference only. Vehicle modifications may be hazardous. Read full legal notice.

What’s Covered

  • Factory Ford Ranger engine specifications and ratings
  • Carburetor and electronic fuel injection (EFI) systems
  • Engine rebuilds, troubleshooting, and maintenance
  • Turbo, supercharger, and nitrous setups
  • V6 and V8 engine swaps with wiring guides
  • Intake, exhaust, emissions, and fuel system upgrades

2019-Present Ford Ranger Tech

If you’re looking for tech specific to the 2019-present Ford Ranger, check out our Ford Ranger Tech (2019-2025) tech library.

Other Info:

Ford Ranger Engine Specs:

1983-1987 Ford Ranger 2.2 & 2.3 Diesels

Ford Ranger 4-Cylinder Engines (1983-2011)

Ford Ranger 2.8L V6 Engines

Ford Ranger 2.9L V-6 Engines

Ford Ranger 3.0L V-6 (1991-2009)

Ford Ranger 4.0L OHV V6

Ford Ranger 4.0L SOHC V6

Ford Ranger Engine Ratings

Ford Ranger Fluids & Capacities

Ford Ranger Fuel Mileage Ratings

Ford Ranger Engine Tips:

2.3L EFI Power

Ford 2.8 Performance Page

Kunz Korner 2.9 Performance Tips

4.0 OHV Modifications & Tuning Tricks

Jet Performance Module Install

Engine Rebuild:

Basic Engine Troubleshooting

4-Cylinder Timing Belt Replacement

3.0L Rebuild

4.0L Rebuild

200 Horsepower From Ford 2.8 Liter V6

Rebuilding And Improving A Ford 4.0

How To Build A 4.0L OHV For Power

How To Build And Modify Ford V-6 Engines (.pdf)

Ford Ranger V6 Engine Swaps:

Ford 3.7L Cyclone Engine Swap

3.8L Swaps

4.0L Conversion FAQ’s

Ford 4.0L V-6 Conversion

4.0L Conversion On Older V-6 Fords

4.0 Conversion Wiring (From Explorer to Bronco II)

4.0L Conversion (1994 Explorer to 1989 Bronco II)

Wiring a 4.0L to a 1983-1988 Dash 

4.0 OHV to 4.0 SOHC Swap

Ford Ranger V8 Swaps:

4.6L Modular Engine

Ford 302 / 5.0 History & Specifications

1996-2001 Ford Explorer 5.0L Specifications 

2000 Explorer 5.0 To 2009 Ford Ranger V8 Swap

Explorer 5.0L Swap In To 1998-2011 Ford Ranger

1986 2.9L To 5.0L Engine Wiring

Install a 1996 Explorer 5.0L into a 1995-1997 Ranger

Explorer 5.0 Swap In A 2000 Ford Ranger

Install – 2000 Ford Explorer 5.0 Into 1998 Ford Ranger

V8 Swaps: 1983-1997 Ford Ranger (and all Bronco II’s)

Advance Adapters Engine Swap Information

Ford 5.0 Wiring

Turbo 4-Cylinder Swaps (Non-EcoBoost):

2.3 Turbo Swap

2.3 Turbo Install

2.3L Turbo Motor Swap Wiring Diagrams

Ecoboost Engine Swaps:

2002 EcoBoost Swap Into A Ford Ranger 

Superchargers:

Eaton M62, M90 and M112 Superchargers

Vortec 4.0L Supercharger Installation Instructions

Supercharging A Ford Ranger 4.0 OHV V6

Moddbox 4.0L SOHC Supercharger Installation

Vacuum & Exhaust:

Ford Vacuum Line Abbreviations & Descriptions

Dealing With Engine Vacuum

Vacuum Hose Diagrams

Ford Ranger Exhaust Guide

Help With California Emissions

Evaporative Purge System Check Engine Code P1443

Nitrous:

Nitrous Oxide – How It Works

Nitrous On A Daily Driver

 

Carbs & Fuel Injection:

Ford Fuel Injection Book (.pdf)

Flow Through A Throttle Body – Coefficient Study (.pdf)

How Fuel Injection Works

Disconnecting Fuel Lines

Fuel Injection For Early Ford V-8’s

Ford 5.0 Wiring

Ford Motorsports 5.0 EFI Wiring Harness

5.0L Throttle Body to 2.9L Intake

60mm Throttle Body on 3.0L

Ford 2.8 Holley Sniper

Fuel Injection For Ford 2.8’s

2.8L Chevy TBI on Ford 2.8L

Throttle Cable Mod

Throttle Position Sensor Test

Idle Air Control – IAC – Clean / Replace

Fuel Inertia Switch

Motorcraft 2150/2100 Carb Rebuild

Throttle Body Half Shaft Mod

Cylinder Heads:

Ford 2.8L Valve Seal Replacement

Ford 2.9L Cylinder Head Replacement

Ford 3.0L Head Gasket Replacement

Cylinder Head Porting

Intakes:

2.9 MAF Conversion

Cleaning The MAF

Idle Air Control – IAC – Clean / Replace

2.3 Ram Air

2.9 K&N Filter Set-Up

3.0 Custom Intake

3.8 MAF on 4.0

4.0 Loose Intake Bolts

4.0 Ram Air

4.0 OHV Gasket (valve cover, fuel rail, intake) Replacement

ARB Snorkel (crbnunit’s Ranger)

Safari Snorkel (Mountain Mike) 

Safari Snorkel (–Nathan–)

Homemade Explorer 4.0 Snorkel

Make Your Own Snorkel

Cowl Induction Snorkel

PVC Snorkel For Gen I & II

Carburetor Snorkel

Modified Air Filter Adapter

Plenum Spacers

Camshaft:

Ford Camshaft Position Sensor (CMP)

3.0L Camshaft Position Sensor – Synchronizer

4.0L Camshaft Position Sensor – Synchronizer

Miscellaneous:

Ford Ranger Emission Test Driving Cycle 

Idler & Tensioner Pulley Replacement

Front Engine Accessory Drive

Ford 3.0L & 4.0L Engine Block Heater

Miles Per Gallon Calculator

Oil & Oil / Fuel Filters:

4-Cylinder Oil Filter Upgrade

Aftermarket Oil Sender & Gauge

Change Your Fuel Filter

Oil Filter Upgrade

 

About The Author

Founder / Administrator at  | Staff Profile

Jim Oaks is the founder of The Ranger Station (TRS), one of the longest-running Ford Ranger enthusiast communities on the web. He has spent over three decades owning, modifying, repairing, and driving Ford Rangers on the street, trail, and overlanding routes.

Since launching TheRangerStation.com in 1999, Jim has documented thousands of real-world Ranger builds, technical repairs, drivetrain swaps, suspension modifications, and off-road adventures. TRS has been heavily referenced by enthusiasts, mechanics, and off-road builders looking for practical, experience-based information.