2.9 Transmission Swap

[ty.forestcom]

So I got my doner truck…

I own a 1998 2.9L 2wd automatic. I am in the process of standard swapping. I picked up a 94 4x4 3.0 with my trans and everything back from the engine. New clutch but need a flywheel. I’m having trouble finding what will work online. Any help is much appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

The 2.9 and the 3.0 do NOT share the same bolt pattern.

 

[2011Supercab]

The 3.0 transmission will not bolt up to your 2.9 engine.

Also the 4x4 transmission will not work in a 2wd truck

 

[ty.forestcom]

I was hoping to use the transfer case and just not have the front axle. From what I read on here before purchasing the 3.0 and 2.9 were interchangeable. Is there any way around this?

 

[2011Supercab]

4.0 transmission will bolt to the 2.9

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I was hoping to use the transfer case and just not have the front axle. From what I read on here before purchasing the 3.0 and 2.9 were interchangeable. Is there any way around this?

Sorry, no way around it. And I find it very unlikely you found that info on this site. Its a fairly common question and it comes up a lot.

 

[ty.forestcom]

I am feeling dumb now but the can get what I paid for it. Thank you for the help. I confused the 4.0 with the 3.0. I was under the impression the 3.0 was compatible and not the 4.0.

I bought the doner truck knowing I’d need a lot more parts than just the trans, would I still be able to use the clutch, slave, pedal assembly etc.? And just look for a 4.0 alone? I need a flywheel anyway. I paid so little for the truck I could get more from a scrap, but would like to pull what I can off of it.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I'm not sure if the 98 and 94 share the same clutch pedal mounting. Sure wouldnt hurt to take a close look. And scavenge whatever parts you can. Sell what you can and put the money towards the proper trans. A 4.0 swap really wakes up the truck too.

 

[901wd#2]

Can we get the information straight first? because op says he has a 98 with a 2.9

 

[ty.forestcom]

Can we get the information straight first? because op says he has a 98 with a 2.9

88* I apologize didn’t catch that until I read his reply. I will resort to scrapping the doner after I grab what I can. Thank you again everyone.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Yeah, I’d look for a 90-92 4.0 for a donor and use everything.

For that matter, knowing what I do now, I wouldn’t hesitate to run a 4.0 automatic as long as I put a little money and effort into making the transition happy. My 92 was the eye opener… when I had to replace the engine, I decided to try and make the transmission happier in hopes it would last. I had a suspicion the torque converter wasn’t doing what it was supposed to, and I’m not sure now if it actually needed replacing, but I did it because the motor was out anyway. Then I figured that I might as well throw everything at the valve body that I could (shift kit plus recommend mods from over on the Explorer forums), plus adjust the bands, new reverse servo O-rings and gasket (the Aamco Transmission shop guy was really confused when I asked for those but that’s usually where the transmission starts acting up on these), new filter, a second auxiliary trans cooler, new fluid, adjusted the bands, and a new pan with a drain plug.

Took awhile to work all the air out of the system and then she would have spanked my green 00 in a drag race. 3.73 gears with a limited slip rear and 30” tires. Green 00 had 4.10 open and 31” tires then with a 4.0. Probably would give my current green Ranger configuration a run for its money. That 92 would smoke the back tires, both of them, if you nailed the gas too hard from a stop. No joke, if I was running empty and really railed on it, it would sometimes bark second. I’ve become a huge advocate of at least a shift kit, extra trans cooler, adjust the bands and freshen the reverse servo since. I’m currently throwing a stage 2 shift kit at my green Ranger. I’m hoping that it might bark second…

 

[ty.forestcom]

Thank you very much Sir, your 92 sounds awesome. It’s been tough finding a truck, I’ve been in search for a few months now. I have decided to scrap the doner I got and look into repairing my automatic. I had already lined up a time to use a buddy’s lifts so I’m making the best of it. I just want my truck at this point, I’m sick of her sitting. Once I get her fixed which I suspect something small, (knock on wood). I’ll start saving to do a proper engine/trans swap come a time I need some more power. (Possibly 4.0). I’ve got an original miles 2.9. From my last research, vin check, the single owners story, and an old oil change sticker for the 42k it never got to. I wouldn’t mind having some fun, planning to build out the bed and drive cross country with my pup.
Thank you again Sir.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Thank you very much Sir, your 92 sounds awesome. It’s been tough finding a truck, I’ve been in search for a few months now. I have decided to scrap the doner I got and look into repairing my automatic. I had already lined up a time to use a buddy’s lifts so I’m making the best of it. I just want my truck at this point, I’m sick of her sitting. Once I get her fixed which I suspect something small, (knock on wood). I’ll start saving to do a proper engine/trans swap come a time I need some more power. (Possibly 4.0). I’ve got an original miles 2.9. From my last research, vin check, the single owners story, and an old oil change sticker for the 42k it never got to. I wouldn’t mind having some fun, planning to build out the bed and drive cross country with my pup.
Thank you again Sir.

The 2.9 isn’t a terrible engine, because it was the basis for the OHV 4.0, which is essentially a bored and stroked 2.9. There are upgrades to the 2.9, which can also be applied to the 4.0, like the free-floating rocker mod, flow porting/gasket matching, and balancing internals. I’ve started experimenting with the basic porting and free-floating rockers.

Not sure what problems you’re having with the trans, but a shift kit makes a big difference with any automatic that came in the RBVs. Throwing any additional mods at it helps too. Additional cooling is a big thing. My 00 green Ranger I actually swapped a trans cooler, from an F-150, that was over twice the size of the stock RBV auxiliary cooler. I’ve also done two stock coolers linked together. Some vehicles have a problem with too much trans cooling, but that’s not a problem with the older trans

 

[ty.forestcom]

I bought the truck only going into reverse, do OD no lower gears nothing. Farthest I’ve gone as to repairing the current one is taken the hose off my modulator. There was oil! (Also seems to be leaking from there). I doubt this is the problem but I will find out soon enough. Owner said it randomly went out one day no grinding or nothing. I suspect possible electrical issues but of course won’t know until a week or so.

Thank you Sir.

 

[ty.forestcom]

The 2.9 isn’t a terrible engine, because it was the basis for the OHV 4.0, which is essentially a bored and stroked 2.9. There are upgrades to the 2.9, which can also be applied to the 4.0, like the free-floating rocker mod, flow porting/gasket matching, and balancing internals. I’ve started experimenting with the basic porting and free-floating rockers.

Not sure what problems you’re having with the trans, but a shift kit makes a big difference with any automatic that came in the RBVs. Throwing any additional mods at it helps too. Additional cooling is a big thing. My 00 green Ranger I actually swapped a trans cooler, from an F-150, that was over twice the size of the stock RBV auxiliary cooler. I’ve also done two stock coolers linked together. Some vehicles have a problem with too much trans cooling, but that’s not a problem with the older trans

Thank you Sir.