‘88 2.9 to 4.0 swap

[C_meista22]

I've never seen a BWP on an 88. Not saying Ford didn't build a few. They did lots of things that way.

I did. With the 2.9 clutch. It slipped before I was able to break the transmission. I tried shortly after installing it to do a burnout and just ended up smoking the clutch badly.

I’ve heard so many different opinions on the fm146 and its ability to hold power. Should I find a m5r1 tranny or stick with the fm146? I’ll look for plug do you have a picture I could use as context?

 

[BlackBII]

I’ve heard so many different opinions on the fm146 and its ability to hold power. Should I find a m5r1 tranny or stick with the fm146? I’ll look for plug do you have a picture I could use as context?

On the drivers side firewall there will be Big White Plug. It's hard to miss.

If you can find a good M5OD you should use it, but like others have said the FM146 will survive for a while behind a 4.0 if you don't abuse it.

 

[BlackBII]

Top right hand corner of this pic shows the plug. Note - this is not a Ranger engine bay

 

[C_meista22]

Noted. Honestly how hard would this be for a first engine swap I really don’t feel like putting in another 2.9

 

[DPDISXR4Ti]

Honestly how hard would this be for a first engine swap I really don’t feel like putting in another 2.9

That's a really hard question to answer since we don't know your skill-set. The physical part shouldn't be that difficult since there's no fabrication involved - it's just swapping (heavy) parts. The electrical part requires some brain capacity.

 

[C_meista22]

That's a really hard question to answer since we don't know your skill-set. The physical part shouldn't be that difficult since there's no fabrication involved - it's just swapping (heavy) parts. The electrical part requires some brain capacity.

Yeah wiring might be an issue, mechanically I’m pretty good. Figuring out what goes where is gonna be a challenge

 

[Brain75]

is this your first ever swap, like you haven't done a like for like identical even yet?
if so, I would suggest you get a haynes/chilton and maybe even factory service manual for the wiring and not even consider it unless you are prepared to take your time and keep the parts available (i.e. buy a complete roller for the donor and keep it around till 2 months after you finish the swap)... being the first time on an identical like for like you will find out there are about 200 more things to reconnect and remember than you expected... being the first time on a different, especially a generation different there are about 400 things more to remember, and not just reconnect but mod/replace.

 

[BlackBII]

The easiest way is to buy a complete donor; 90-92 Ranger or 91-94 Explorer are best, so that you have everything. I have wiring diagrams for all the years that I can post if you need them

 

[C_meista22]

The easiest way is to buy a complete donor; 90-92 Ranger or 91-94 Explorer are best, so that you have everything. I have wiring diagrams for all the years that I can post if you need them

Please and thank you on the wiring diagram

 

[C_meista22]

This how I’m looking under the hood and my fuel injection harness

 

[SenorNoob]

The 90-94 Explorer is commonly found with a bad automatic transmission. That would be my target for a parts truck. Better yet is to find one that is 4wd/2wd as your truck currently is. Then when you feel the time is right you can swap front/rear axles, seats if you want buckets and or center console, maybe transfer case if 4wd, ETC.