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Wireman995

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Location
Louisiana
Vehicle Year
1989
Make / Model
Ford Ranger 4x4
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Engine Size
In process of a 4.0 swap
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
4”
Tire Size
33”
Gonna be doing a 4.0 swap in my old beast 1989 Ranger xlt extra cab 5sp manual 4x4. Tired of wrenching on the 2.9. Need some advise on the best way to go about it. Im think of buying a reman 4.0.
 


PetroleumJunkie412

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My credo
Give 'yer balls a tug. Fight me.
Don't.

Theres your advice.

My 2.9 has forged internals.

My 4.0 is a urinal.
 

RonD

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Welcome to TRS :)

You need 1990-1994 4.0l computer and its wiring harness, from manual trans vehicle, 2WD or 4x4 doesn't matter for that

Also need the 1990-1994 intakes, sensors(like MAF) and exhaust manifold

So it might be best to find a rolled or other wise damaged 1990-1994 4.0l manual trans 4x4 Ranger, and get all the parts at once
Reason for the 4x4 part is to also get the M5OD-R1 4x4 transmission, much better trans than the FM146 in your 1989

Then you can have the 4.0l rebuilt by local shop if you want, or do core swap for reman
 
Last edited:

ericbphoto

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6"
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My credo
In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are different.

PetroleumJunkie412

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Location
Dirtman's Basement
Vehicle Year
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Make / Model
Ranger
Engine Size
2.9l Trinity
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Give 'yer balls a tug. Fight me.
Welcome to TRS :)

You need 1990-1994 4.0l computer and its wiring harness, from manual trans vehicle, 2WD or 4x4 doesn't matter for that

Also need the 1990-1994 intakes, sensors(like MAF) and exhaust manifold

So it might be best to find a rolled or other wise damaged 1990-1994 4.0l manual trans 4x4 Ranger, and get all the parts at once
Reason for the 4x4 part is to also get the M5OD-R1 4x4 transmission, much better trans than the FM146 in your 1989

Then you can have the 4.0l rebuilt by local shop if you want, or do core swap for reman
Just for this, ima pop a flowmax and down a 30 rack of yeung. Makin it rain on a 4.No tomorrow.
 

Wireman995

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Joined
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Messages
13
Reaction score
4
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Location
Louisiana
Vehicle Year
1989
Make / Model
Ford Ranger 4x4
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Engine Size
In process of a 4.0 swap
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
4”
Tire Size
33”

ericbphoto

Overlander in development
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Points
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Age
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Location
Wellford, SC
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Engine Size
3.0L
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6"
Tire Size
35"
My credo
In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are different.

Wireman995

New Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2020
Messages
13
Reaction score
4
Points
3
Location
Louisiana
Vehicle Year
1989
Make / Model
Ford Ranger 4x4
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Engine Size
In process of a 4.0 swap
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
4”
Tire Size
33”
Welcome to TRS :)

You need 1990-1994 4.0l computer and its wiring harness, from manual trans vehicle, 2WD or 4x4 doesn't matter for that

Also need the 1990-1994 intakes, sensors(like MAF) and exhaust manifold

So it might be best to find a rolled or other wise damaged 1990-1994 4.0l manual trans 4x4 Ranger, and get all the parts at once
Reason for the 4x4 part is to also get the M5OD-R1 4x4 transmission, much better trans than the FM146 in your 1989

Then you can have the 4.0l rebuilt by local shop if you want, or do core swap for reman
Hey brother thanks for the info. I was thinking exactly. I can find the explorer but the rangers are proving to be a challenge to find.
 

Wireman995

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Joined
Oct 11, 2020
Messages
13
Reaction score
4
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Location
Louisiana
Vehicle Year
1989
Make / Model
Ford Ranger 4x4
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Engine Size
In process of a 4.0 swap
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
4”
Tire Size
33”
Honestly just poking fun at ya. This is a one owner project truck i picked up awhile back and its been just sitting in my shop for about 2 years. The 2.9 runs but its wore out and figured what the hell ill upgrade.
 

Wireman995

New Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2020
Messages
13
Reaction score
4
Points
3
Location
Louisiana
Vehicle Year
1989
Make / Model
Ford Ranger 4x4
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Engine Size
In process of a 4.0 swap
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
4”
Tire Size
33”
So your recommending a rebuild of the 2.9? Whats the reason my friend and why do you dislike the 4.0?
 

RonD

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1991-1994 Explorer would be fine if you can find a manual one, otherwise the computer will turn on the CEL full time because no automatic hooked up
 

PetroleumJunkie412

Official TRS EV Taunter
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Messages
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113
Location
Dirtman's Basement
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ranger
Engine Size
2.9l Trinity
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Give 'yer balls a tug. Fight me.
So your recommending a rebuild of the 2.9? Whats the reason my friend and why do you dislike the 4.0?
2.9 is ford Europe's performance v6.

Shove a fresh cam in it with FE block lifters of your choice (same lifters), and enjoy more power than a jy 4.0 will give you.

Theyre a seriously good engine. They had soft cams and need high zddp oil.

Melling cam is 80-100, lifters are inexpensive. Clean the crap out of your rocker shafts, and away you go for less than an engine swap.
 

PetroleumJunkie412

Official TRS EV Taunter
Supporting Member
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Oct 31, 2018
Messages
7,826
Reaction score
6,565
Points
113
Location
Dirtman's Basement
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ranger
Engine Size
2.9l Trinity
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Give 'yer balls a tug. Fight me.
 

Wireman995

New Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2020
Messages
13
Reaction score
4
Points
3
Location
Louisiana
Vehicle Year
1989
Make / Model
Ford Ranger 4x4
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Engine Size
In process of a 4.0 swap
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
4”
Tire Size
33”
1991-1994 Explorer would be fine if you can find a manual one, otherwise the computer will turn on the CEL full time because no automatic hooked up
I figured as much. Well i guess the hunt is one lol. But what petro is saying is also intriguing.
 

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