1986 single cab engine swap

[tom86]

I have a 1986 4x4 manual with a 2.9l v6 I am thinking about putting a 4 cyl 2.3l. will it fit the transmission I current have from the 2.9l ?

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

No. 2.3 had its own bellhousings, so to swap that in you would need to change the trans for the 4 cylinder one. It was an option for Rangers so sourcing the parts shouldn’t be too hard from a similar year truck, and everything fits.

The 4.0 OHV does bolt up to the 2.9 trans. Results may vary on how long the trans will last. The 4.0 transmissions were a little stronger than the ones in the 2.9 trucks. Of course, in my choptop I’ve blown up axles and the trans has been fine. Those came out in 1990 trucks, you will need an engine harness and computer at minimum out of a 90-92 for what transmission you have (auto or manual). The dash and dash harness out of that vintage would help cut down on wire splicing, but it’s more work. The actual engine could come out of up to a 97 since the motor didn’t change but the engine harness did. 98-00 Rangers used that motor but with a higher fuel pressure and slightly different intake, so the basic motor was still the same, just a few parts changed. I converted over and stuck an 00 4.0 into my 92, just changed what changed between them to make it run, and away I went.

The other option is to keep the 2.9, there’s ways to rebuild them to be better performing. @gaz and @PetroleumJunkie412 have done a lot with these motors. Oh, and it is possible to lose the EGR in these, get the block off plate and a computer out of an 87-88 with a 2.9 and whatever trans you have (auto/manual and it can come from a Ranger or Bronco II. It’s a legal upgrade because you then have upgraded to more modern controls even though it eliminates an emissions component because the newer version didn’t use it. The other thing is, the EGR equipped used bigger throttle bodies so you have a performance enhancement there.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

The 2.3 engine uses different engine mounts, so grab those if you decide to swap.

 

[RonD]

Which 2.3l?
2.3l SOHC Lima engine, used in Rangers 1983 thru 1997, 100HP
2.3l DOHC Duratec engine, used in Rangers 2001-2011, 140HP

The 2.3l SOHC did have 4x4 transmissions available, not common but out there
2.3l DOHC has no 4x4 option, without some fancy tear downs and rebuilds, lol

As said, you need the engine/transmission, motor mounts, 2.3l Computer and engine wiring harness for it

 

[19Walt93]

That's an awful lot of work and money to have less power. The most economical thing would be to rebuild or replace the 2.9, and if you've got to replace it, I explore on this site and find posts from people who've swapped in a 4.0 ohv. I'd also swap in a later transmission, the 80's Mazda(Toyo Kogo) transmissions ate bearings and the Mitsubishis were worse.