95 2.3 to 3.0 or 4.0 swap

[MikeyFord3]

i havea 95 ford ranger 4x4 2.3

what would i need to do and or change to drop a 3.0or 4.0 in

i know i would have to get a new tranny
so the bell housing lines up
maybe rears?
andwould the motor mounts be the same?

 

[Ranger44]

A 3.0 would require deep gears to perform.

The 4.0 will need an 8.8.

You'd need a new tranny for either.

Both will require work and an OBD-II engine will be needed.

 

[MikeyFord3]

well i would only need a new trans and back axle if i drop a 4.0 in?
what about the motormounts

 

[Ranger44]

You'd need new motor mounts.

 

[funinthemud]

so the engine crossmember will work just new motor mounts?? i'm looking at a 97 2.3 frame for my 98 4.0.

sorry for steeling the thread

 

[mkpecor]

if you are doing a motor swap i would do a 4.0 or a 5.0 do one of those motors and be done with it. i would rather have a 2.9 than a 3.0. just my .02 cents

 

[Hahnsb2]

The 4.0 will need an 8.8.

No it wont..

Your best bet is to find an engine from the same year, there will be a lot less headachesl

 

[Ranger44]

I'd only assume. 4.0's came from the factory with 8.8's.

BTW, How's yours holding up to the 4.0? That might be the reason you say that....lol

 

[Psychopete]

I have a friend that runs a 5.0L HO on a stock Ford 7.5" in a '79 Ford Fairmont Station Wagon (Foxbody)... Still working fine, 3 years later. 4-lug even.

3.0L absolutely sucks with an auto. It doesn't get that much better mileage than the 4.0L. And 3.0L Vulcan bellhousing is sort of one of it's own. If you go w/ 3.0L, you should really consider going w/ manual (M5OD-R1).

Pete

 

[Hahnsb2]

I'd only assume. 4.0's came from the factory with 8.8's.

BTW, How's yours holding up to the 4.0? That might be the reason you say that....lol

Just fine so far. For the average RBV used in mild 4x4 situations I think the 7.5 is fine, I know I'm pushing the limits of mine with 34s, the locker does eliminate the weak spiders however. And upgrading to a ranger 8.8 is easy if you need to down the road but the 7.5 will be fine for a while.

 

[redlinezl]

i have the similar ? what must i do to do a 4.0 in my 96 2.3 4x4 ranger?

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

engine, wiring harness, transmission, PCM, exhaust.

 

[redlinezl]

engine, wiring harness, transmission, PCM, exhaust.

and whats the trans to use, i need 5spd for 4.0? or can use 2.9?

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

a trans from a 2.9 will physically bolt up to the 4.0, but it isnt likely to survive the 4.0s increased torque for long. i would only use an M5OD originally bolted to a 4.0

 

[redlinezl]

yea i gota find one 1st lol