2.9l v6 to 4.0l v6 swap HELP

[Hitchner2009]

hey guys, so im starting my swap for my rig. i have a 1987 Ford Ranger 2.9l V6 4x4 5-speed. I picked up the engine today for it from a junkyard, its a 4.0l v6 that came out of a 4x2 1992 Ford Ranger 5-speed. So the question i have is, it came with the wiring harness on the engine, but because i want to keep my 4x4. When i get the ECM/Computer, will i need to get a computer for a 1992 Ford Ranger 4x4 4.0l v6 with a 5-speed AND a harness that connects to the injectors, etc from a 4x4 92 ranger also? Or will the one thats on the engine now thats for the 4x2 work, and only the Computer will need to be from a 4x4 truck?

 

[FordRanger1991]

hey guys, so im starting my swap for my rig. i have a 1987 Ford Ranger 2.9l V6 4x4 5-speed. I picked up the engine today for it from a junkyard, its a 4.0l v6 that came out of a 4x2 1992 Ford Ranger 5-speed. So the question i have is, it came with the wiring harness on the engine, but because i want to keep my 4x4. When i get the ECM/Computer, will i need to get a computer for a 1992 Ford Ranger 4x4 4.0l v6 with a 5-speed AND a harness that connects to the injectors, etc from a 4x4 92 ranger also? Or will the one thats on the engine now thats for the 4x2 work, and only the Computer will need to be from a 4x4 truck?

With a manual t-case you can run a 2wd comp for a 4wd vehicle.
Leave the engine harness thats on the 4.0 alone there is nothing on that that will change between a 4x4 and a 2x4. Get the comp and the rest of the wiring from that same truck if it is still there. The junk yard will tell you that you cant run the 2wd comp in a 4wd but they are just reading what their computer is telling them. In my swap I used a 92 2wd comp for my 4x4 with a manual t-case. Because you have an 87 you will likely need the dash wiring and the engine bay harness from the 92. I haven't done a first gen swap myself so I am not 100% sure on the easiest process for re-wiring the dash.
Read the tech library there are a couple 1st gen swaps

 

[Hitchner2009]

well i guess im unlucky. my 87' ranger has the PUSH BUTTON 4wd(Electronic transfer case) so in that case, would i need to find a ECM thats for a 4x4? and would i be able to use a ECM from say a 93' or 91' 4x4 with the same engine and tranny type?

 

[bobbywalter]

that system is on its own for the t case.


it does look at the nds and clutch functions via the jumper, but those are rpo through the harness in series to the pcm.


i prefer to make the 4.0 system stand alone and not mess with anything for the dash outside of using the 2.9 oil psi and temp sensors in the 4.0 so your gauges work.

 

[Hitchner2009]

sooooo what do i need to do for the 4x4 to work for my truck with the engine? does it need a whole new harness, a 4x4 ecm? im not sure how this touch drive 4x4 works and if the engine harness works with the electronic 4x4

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I'll try to interpret, although I'm not sure what bobbywalter said exactly either and I haven't done this, so you should double check.

that system is on its own for the t case.

The t-case system is on it's own...it doesn't use the engine computer, you can use the 2wd computer

it does look at the nds and clutch functions via the jumper, but those are rpo through the harness in series to the pcm.

"nds" ... I don't know what is
"rpo" ... I don't know what is
but what this says to me is that the t-case wiring uses some sensors and wiring that the engine computer uses but can be separated out. you can use the 2wd comp with some wiring work.

i prefer to make the 4.0 system stand alone and not mess with anything for the dash outside of using the 2.9 oil psi and temp sensors in the 4.0 so your gauges work.

make it so the engine computer is controlling the engine only [and some dash gauges]...you can use the 2wd comp.

Good luck,

Richard

 

[Hitchner2009]

alright that helps alot. would you by any chance happen to know what kind of wiring i would need? i know i need to be able to have the transfer case communicate with the truck to lock in the auto hubs, and thats about it.

 

[FordRanger1991]

alright that helps alot. would you by any chance happen to know what kind of wiring i would need? i know i need to be able to have the transfer case communicate with the truck to lock in the auto hubs, and thats about it.

From the way I understand it you have some options for wiring
You can swap all the wiring in the dash and the entire engine bay harness
Or You can Swap the engine bay harness and do some re-pinning to make your gauges work.

From the questions you have asked it seems as though you didnt read the second sticky thread in this "Other" engine conversion section.
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=96005
That thread has a lot of information for you.
Also, You need to buy evtm manuals for the donor vehicle (92 in your case) and for an 87 and start looking at the wiring.
You will learn a lot just by taking the engine bay harness out of the 4.0 (look at the harness differences between the 87 and the 92).
Read all the threads you can find on this form and you will have plenty of information to get you started. Then you can ask some specific questions.

 

[bobbywalter]

neutral drive switch


regular production option



you shoUld be able to rip the engine out of this vintage and remove the eec computer...the t case should still shift.


not sure i am remembering this right.... theres a ball ramp clutch in the e case that bumps the front shaft and the auto hubs engage at speed. brown wire runs the electro magnet if i remember right.

you can do this with your hand as well, its how i check the auto fail hubs. slow spin of d shaft they stay free....hard quick spin and they should bite.



i have swapped in 351,s with efi and carbs and aod/5 speeds with the swap parts to run the stock case and it worked fine still.


not sure what else there is to know past my original post



i suk at communication though...i hpe this attempt is better.

 

[Hitchner2009]

alright, thanks for your help bobby. That post was ALOT more clearer than the first one. I now understand what you mean. If i were to remove the engine and ECM, your saying the t-case would still lock in the hubs because it runs on its own, as long as it has power. so therefore i wouldnt need a 4x4 ECM because it doesnt run off the ECM

 

[Hitchner2009]

and then i had a few more technical questions as far as the swap.

1. Can i use my 2.9L Fan shroud, clutch and Radiator on the 4.0L, will it keep it cool enough?
2. Can i use my 2.9l power steering pump on my 4.0L?

Pretty much trying to work on this with the lowest amount of money, i have already put in over $700 worth on it. Im getting the ECM and maybe some other parts for it as well. I have a list of things im certain i need, they are,

1. ECM(Computer)
2. Power Distribution Box(Fuse Box from 4.0L)
3. 4.0L Clutch Kit(Using my brand new rebuilt FM145, i know its not the best, but it being rebuilt and behind a 4.0L clutch should be just fine)
5. 4.0L Alternator
6. Air Box with Filter and Tube

Those are the MUST HAVES for the engine swap, if there is anything i am missing going ahead and post it. I dont want to get started on the swap and then be missing parts and then im stuck with no truck, because as of right now, the 2.9 is still running and making me able to drive my truck.

 

[bobbywalter]

the fan spins the wrong way on the 2.9 iirc...they are v belt and standard rotation clockwise and the 4.0 is serp and rr.

you can get by with the radiator for a minute, it may even be a big compatible 4.0 bastard already, just have to dick with the hoses a bit.




powersteering should be a non issue

 

[bobbywalter]

fuel lines from the high pressure filter to the rail can be an issue depending on years involved.

i assume you have them on your engine so you should be good.

 

[Hitchner2009]

alright, so pretty much what do i need as far as the fan goes for the 4.0l? the engine came with the pulley on the front of the water pump for the fan and there are threads on the pulley that look like would hold the fan or fan clutch. so all i need is the fan clutch, and shroud right? and the radiator i can just make the hoses work somehow without kinking them?

 

[Hitchner2009]

buy yeah i have high pressure lines. i have dual fuel tanks that run into one line, then into the black canister, which on my year, 1987, is not the changeable canister. Its used only for the dual tanks and to keep fuel flowing threw them if i switch the tanks while driving. but from the canister it runs to the high pressure pump, then the fuel filter and then up to the rail.