what to look for for a 2.9L to a 4bt swap?

[JoeLeFou]

hey guys, I'm curious to see what it would actually take to swap the 2.9L in my ranger for a 4bt cummins.
What should I consider to modify and/or change for something bigger

 

[franklin2]

Here's a build. https://www.therangerstation.com/cummins-4bt-ranger/

 

[bobbywalter]

maybe take a look at the 1.9 and 2.0 vw options as well. way better for normalish rangers. i strongly suggest driving a 4bt equipped vehicle before going to the overpriced expense of dealing with one of these rattling monsters. unless you can get a free or really cheap one....

 

[snoranger]

As someone who’s had a 4bt powered Explorer, listen to Bobby. It’s not a smooth engine. If you’re building a toy, it’s nothing but fun. I wouldn’t want to be forced to daily drive one.

 

[JoeLeFou]

maybe take a look at the 1.9 and 2.0 vw options as well. way better for normalish rangers.

in the long run I came down to term that I want to go overlanding, going up north winter camping and have all the power I could ask for. in that sense the 4bt sounds like it would be the go to, for sure the 1.9 tdi would be good for a daily that wouldn't really see anything else than Canadian city snow and salt, the price for sure sounds better tho.

unless you can get a free or really cheap one....

pretty sure a free 4bt would just be a small mountain of melted cast iron haha. I'm not really time restricted on finding a 4bt so I guess that if I find a good deal on a okay shape 4bt I would go for it and if not then it might not be meant to be done

I wouldn’t want to be forced to daily drive one.

thats why you need more than 1 lol, one for fun and one to daily/reliable. I'm already considering buying another newer one

 

[bobbywalter]

Well. My truck is a diesel. Initial plan was 4bt.....way back when they were 1500 to 2000 dollar pullouts.....2000 to 2004 era... Problem was, I maintained several hostess trucks on the side and was well aware of their alternator chucking shenanigans. They are not smooth. I also during that period had a g30 van that was whipped but had a solid running N/A 6.5 with the hd 5088 pump setup. That was in 2008..... I actually made money on the initial swap. Had about 400 in the swap....scrapped the rest for 600 plus....and I got the van for free.... technically free...I traded some free parts and my labor....

Now.....compared to the gas engines that preceded it....It is painfully slow.....and nutless...but steady. That engine went another 5 years before I blew the heads off it and just shy of 500k road miles total ...which is awesome for a 509 block.....The cylinders were mirrored so badly I was amazed it could even start at all in the cold.

So ..15 plus years later it's still clattering along with a variant of the 6.x humvee engine and 4l80 trans. I will drive it anywhere.....just not in a big hurry.

In stock form ...not towing....but unladen... Drag racing it will whoop a 12 valve .... Stock for stock. Which is not saying much....just pointing out it's not the slowest thing ever ... And that since you are not in a hurry ... Check out more options.