1986 2.8 to 5.0 EFI swap

[lurch1980]

Hi,

I'm new to this site but I have searched for the answer to my question and haven't found any yet ( I could be blind too ).

I recently acquired a 1986 2.8L STD Cab Ranger and lets just say the power from the engine is lacking. At the same time a buddy of mine scored a 1987 full sized Bronco with a 5.0 and bad automatic tranny. He's offered the engine and what ever else I would need to convert the Ranger to a 5.0 to me for free. So I decided I want to put the EFI 5.0 and a AOD in the truck and in looking for info I found this site.

What I would like answered is this: Can I follow a 2.9 writeup for wiring in the 5.0 EFI or is the 2.8 a different beast? I seem to be having trouble find a 2.8 to EFI 5.0 swap writeup.

Thanks in advanced for the help.

 

[freerider6_9]

They started using the 2.9 in 86 so either you have an 85 or a really early 86,
As for the swap, If you do have the 2.8 then it will be a bit easier, an engine swap is an engine swap, You should first get it all mounted in and placed where you want it, Then worry about wiring, Im guessing your buddy is keeping the bronco and doing a swap as well so that could make it easier on you, You will have to grab ALL wiring that applies to the engine, leave all the headlight harness and fuel pump eyc wiring in the bronco. You just lost half the wires from your harness so that makes it a little less of a "holy crap factor" involved. To make your swap a bit easier I would just get an aftermarket fuel pump and run it off a circuit that is only hot in the crank/run possition but not accesory and run a fuel line back to the tank and use a factory regulator, Sorry for being such a bland explanation on things but I am in a bit of a rush. If you need some clarification on things just ask and the very helpful members on the board will elaborate more than I have time at this point to do.

In short, Going from carb to efi is a whole different ball game then efi to efi so the 2.9-5.0 articles will give you a bit of an idea but not a direct guide on the subject.

 

[lurch1980]

Thanks! I just went outside and opened the hood and sure as shit there is a big 2.9 on the intake ...I feel like an idiot. So either way I had already read one of the articles in the tech section about an 86 2.9 Bronco II -> EFI 5.0 conversion. It seems pretty straight forward.

One thing you mentioned that really caught my eye was to run an after market fuel pump. Was that in case I had a carburetor instead of EFI or do you still suggest that since I have the EFI 2.9L?

My buddy is going to scrap the Bronco. It was given to him because it has a bad tranny (or so he was told). Next week or so I'm going out to his place and we're going to fire up the engine and make sure that's good, but basically I plan on grabbing everything I can. It looks like I'll have to get a different radiator and an oil filter relocation kit, but I might be able to make the oil pan work and the T-Case if it's a 205 or 208 not sure what a mid/late 80's Bronco would have. (I'm relatively new to Ford, I've been messing around with Jeeps for a while).

Thanks again for the reply! This site and it's members are great!!

 

[baddad457]

If the Bronco's got a 9" rearend save it too. It'll be a 31 spline unit more than likely with traction loc. If it's got an 8.8, it'll also more'n likely have traction loc too. You'll need a dual sump, fox body oilpan for the swap into the Ranger. The Bronco pan won't work.

 

[RangerSVT]

Your stock fuel pump will work, the aftermarket unit was mentioned if you had the carbed 2.8L, so your good on that. The Tcase will vary depending on the year, you will have either a NP 208 or BW 1356, both are aluminum cases, the 208 will have a tag next to the rear output shaft ID'ing it as a NP...Either case will need clearancing of the frame, or some good fabbing for it to clear, as these cases are wide!! Better choice is to go with a 205, though heavier, its a better choice
SVT

 

[lurch1980]

I hadn't thought about grabbing the rear axle out of the bronco. I was actually planning on swapping in an explorer 8.8 with disc brakes later.

As for the oil pan the tech section said the full size 4x4 oil pan was preferred, what makes it so I need the duel sump pan? Clearance with the front axle? If so I was also thinking about doing a SAS, would that help the oil pan clearance? I rather put the money into that then a new pan.

And another question for about the T-Case. Is setting up a 203/205 doubler an issue with length on these? I've seen some post talking about clearance issues with the gas tank. If I want that should I be looking converting this to a manual trans?

Anyone know the measurements on making your own motor mounts? Basically the spacing on the holes I have to drill? or do you just drop the motor in where it looks to sit well and mark the mounts?

 

[RangerSVT]

Most that do doublers either do a in bed tank or do a B2 tank conversion...
SVT

 

[baddad457]

I hadn't thought about grabbing the rear axle out of the bronco. I was actually planning on swapping in an explorer 8.8 with disc brakes later.

As for the oil pan the tech section said the full size 4x4 oil pan was preferred, what makes it so I need the duel sump pan? Clearance with the front axle? If so I was also thinking about doing a SAS, would that help the oil pan clearance? I rather put the money into that then a new pan.

SAS ? The Fox pan is the only one that fits a Ranger's crossmember and clears the suspension. Everyone I know who tried the Bronco/F series/E-series pan found they didn't fit.

 

[lurch1980]

Yeah, I wasn't sure if the stock front axle (is that considered a TTB?) would cause the drive shaft to hit a full size pan while flexing, and I thought maybe a SAS you could move it a few inches to the out side (depending on the axle you use) and clear the pan. Either way you answered my question. The Cross member causes the issue with a full size pan.

Thanks for all the help!!

 

[freerider6_9]

As most of these comments are true, I found making my own mounts allowed me to use all factory parts without any interferance< all parts out of a 91 f150> oil pan,manifolds,intake and everything.