1986 Ford ranger headers

[86IdahoRangerGuy]

I’m new on the forum! For years I’ve always stopped by and read articles trying to help me along the path of troubleshooting and fixing up my pickup. I’ve got a 86’ 2.9L 4X4. The original headers are on their last legs. Looking to install some new ones. The market really doesn’t show anything for my truck. I found some pace setters that would be a perfect suit for my truck, however, they say it’s for an 88’. Can anyone tell me if they will work or not? Or point me in a direction to get the correct headers?

for reference of what I’m looking at, pace setter part number 766-72C1118.

 

[ecgreen]

I have been wondering the same thing for my 2.9. JBA makes some, but I havent found any reviews. I know for a fact that the aftermarket cast manifolds are crap. I have read that the pacesetters are OK, but not the greatest. Maybe someone can chime in...

JBA 1632S-1JS: Shorty Headers 1988-1990 Bronco/Bronco II, Ranger 2.9L Manual Transmission | JEGS

Buy JBA 1632S-1JS at JEGS: JBA Shorty Headers 1988-1990 Bronco/Bronco II, Ranger 2.9L Manual Transmission. Guaranteed lowest price!

www.jegs.com

 

[SenorNoob]

I can't see any reason that headers for 88 wouldn't work for earlier 2.9s. It's essentially the same truck.

However since that listing says 88-90, I wonder if they meant 89. Which has different front fenders and underhood layout.

 

[Snoranger]

IIRC 86-87 has an EGR and 88+ doesn’t.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Yeah, there is an egr plug. IIRC its 22mm.

 

[adsm08]

SnoRanger hit it on the head.

86 and 87 2.9s had EGR. 88-92 2.9s did not. The header companies don't make them with the provision for the EGR tube, but then due to legal reasons they can't advertise them as being for the trucks that did come with EGR.

 

[86IdahoRangerGuy]

So, either set (one I mentioned and the one senor noob mentioned) should work for my pickup than? Essentially, I’ll just have to put my own plug in for the egr plug. Snoranger or adsm08, which would y’all suggest? Much appreciated!

 

[Snoranger]

So, either set (one I mentioned and the one senor noob mentioned) should work for my pickup than? Essentially, I’ll just have to put my own plug in for the egr plug. Snoranger or adsm08, which would y’all suggest? Much appreciated!

I wouldn’t know for sure, the last time I owned a 2.9l was 1999... but JBAs quality used to be better than pacesetter.

 

[86IdahoRangerGuy]

And, o

I wouldn’t know for sure, the last time I owned a 2.9l was 1999... but JBAs quality used to be better than pacesetter.

once again, this question will be me inquiring. I’m somewhat mechanically inclined, but when it comes to header knowledge. I’m lacking. What’s the difference between the shorty headers and longer? Mainly sound? Or does it actually help/kill power/mileage. Thanks!

 

[gaz]

86IdahoRangerGuy,

The JBA headers made for 86-87 2.9's include a "Y" pipe that exits in 2 separate 2" tubes to work with the 86-87 dual in cat. The 88+ "Y" tube is the 2 into 1 style for the single in, newer systems...and the EGR issue.

You WANT a set of JBA's for a 86-87 2.9l. Edlebrock made TES headers for this engine but were more expensive and I never saw a set but the were on par with the JBA's, as I was lead to understand. The Pacesetters will not hold up. I have 2 sets of JBA's, both installed in the 90's, they still look like they did after the 1st 500 miles, used but in great shape.

 

[86IdahoRangerGuy]

I’m learning quite a bit from this. My 86’ has the exhaust that drops down into a 2-1 for the cat. Very strange how this truck has so many odd ball things that aren’t original, but the older lady (only owner) never had any extra work done to it. From the looks of the picture on the JBA’s have the port for the egr. Same spot mine is. (Experience finding out the wires had melted together ) what was the clearance like for you when you installed yours?

 

[gaz]

No clearance issues whatsoever, an absolutely plug and play task.

Those original exhaust manifolds are known to fall apart from coolant leaks. The passenger side of my 87Bronco's 2.9 manifold just fell apart and required replacing. It was a common occurrence.

If your 86 has 2 into 1 "Y" pipe and single inlet cat, then it was changed to that for the ease of a maintenance tech for the former owner. I admit that at one point, I had considered doing it too but am glad that I stuck with the dual outlet "Y" pipe and dual in cat.

 

[86IdahoRangerGuy]

No clearance issues whatsoever, an absolutely plug and play task.

Those original exhaust manifolds are known to fall apart from coolant leaks. The passenger side of my 87Bronco's 2.9 manifold just fell apart and required replacing. It was a common occurrence.

If your 86 has 2 into 1 "Y" pipe and single inlet cat, then it was changed to that for the ease of a maintenance tech for the former owner. I admit that at one point, I had considered doing it too but am glad that I stuck with the dual outlet "Y" pipe and dual in cat.

Why is that?? Why did you stick with it.

 

[gaz]

86IdahoRangerGuy,

1) Using the dual outlet "Y" pipe with my 2.9l has permitted me the ability to tune the length from the Y to the cat. It seems like 18" from the "Y" flange to the cat makes more torque.

2) It also permited the addition of true duals on my 4.0L build; I was able to use a set of JBA 2.9L headers with a 2" dual outlet "Y" into 2" dual in/dual out cat then a dual in/dual out crossflow muffler.

It aways seemed odd to me to take a balanced dual setup and lump it together into an oval. It was my original opinion that Ford did this to disrupt flow and cause increased fuel consumption