2.9L vs 289

[Tazmain]

I have a 1990 Ford Ranger XLT 2.9L ( 177ci ) v6. Should i rebuild the 2.9L or swap in a 289 v8?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Depends on a lot of things.

Neither are cheap, how much does the truck mean to you? Aka are you willing to put $2-3k in a $1-2k truck?

I would go with a roller 302 before a 289, in addition to everything about the engine being better they are easier to find in good shape.

 

[Tazmain]

Is there a difference between a 302 and a roller 302?

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Is there a difference between a 302 and a roller 302?

A roller 302 has roller lifters instead of flat tappet. The rollers also make more power.

A 289 would require the same amount of work as a 302 and net less power. Plus a 289 is gonna cost more cause they are less plentiful.

Personally id rebuild the 2.9. Whats your end goal?

 

[Tazmain]

Well its 4x2 but I have a 12,000lb warn winch on the front for light mudding.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Kinda really depends on your goals for the truck. My 88 blew up the 2.9 that was in it, and when that happened years ago I started work on putting a 4.0 in. My 89 destroyed a 2.9 and I put another 2.9 in it. Then after lifting the 89 more and going with bigger tires the 2.9 wasn’t enough, so I traded motors between the two. The 4.0 with a few goodies makes plenty of power in the 89 for the way I have it and I didn’t want a 302 in there with how lifted and small it is, I just saw bad things happening, lol. The 2.9 with some goodies should do just fine in my 88 which I’m basically doing a resto-mod to it and that’s it.

The original idea of put a 4.0 in the 88 was ill-fated from the start because I originally had no clear plan for the truck, it was the first 4x4 that I bought and it wasn’t what I wanted for an off-road rig, my 89 is what I was after. Now I have a more clear plan for everything. I say more clear because I keep making small changes to everything as I learn of new ideas that fit my overall goal.

My 4x4 Ranger is getting the 302 block, my intentions are to do a 331 stroker, EFI and some goodies plus make it AWD. I bought the truck with that all in mind because it’s a pretty straightforward swap. I’ve been collecting what I need since I got the truck. I have bigger trucks for heavy work so the Ranger was always to be more of my fun truck/light hauler. So it’s getting a fun motor with an aim towards being sleeper-ish.

Another thought for you would be a 4.0, it’s a fairly easy swap in your vintage since the wiring harness from another 89-92 Ranger with the 4.0 should be pretty much plug and play.

Figure out your goals for the truck, what you’re trying to achieve and work from there.

 

[19Walt93]

I agree decide what you want to achieve first, plan it out second, then start spending money.

 

[Tazmain]

Okay, thank yall for the help and ideas.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Well its 4x2 but I have a 12,000lb warn winch on the front for light mudding.

For this the revvy nature and much lighter weight of the 2.9 would be prefferable. If you stick a 302 up front its gonna sink the front end in the soft stuff like a rock.

 

[Tazmain]

So right now my truck has 31x13.50R15 BFG's, a 2" suspension lift with a 3" body lift. It has the 2.9L (177ci) efi v6.

I want to put 32x10.5R18 BFG, a Ford dana 44 solid front axle, and a motor that will take me through the mud holes or the hunt club.

As it is right now I get stuck with ease, but that's why I have the winch, but that get old really fast when its raining and cold.

 

[fastpakr]

For this the revvy nature and much lighter weight of the 2.9 would be prefferable. If you stick a 302 up front its gonna sink the front end in the soft stuff like a rock.

How much heavier is the 302?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

How much heavier is the 302?

I have always heard less than a hundred pounds... so not really that much.

Since you offroad if you wanted to convert to 4wd you would need to replace the trans and add a t-case anyway... then just do a solid front axle swap.

 

[sgtsandman]

Is the “R18” a typo? You want more side wall, not less for off road driving. I wouldn’t go more than 17” but 16” would be better. More sidewall flex and less chances to damage the tire and rim.

 

[fastpakr]

I have always heard less than a hundred pounds... so not really that much.

That's my memory as well. You could balance that with aluminum heads if you really wanted. It's definitely not enough to 'sink the front end in the soft stuff like a rock'.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

That's my memory as well. You could balance that with aluminum heads if you really wanted. It's definitely not enough to 'sink the front end in the soft stuff like a rock'.

I would be more concerned about that huge winch than the engine. Together they could be significant though.