2.3 Swap

[84bluebronco2]

I'm not looking to do anything like a 4.0 or v8 swap. I have a perfect running 91 2.3 I4 from a ranger. On stock tires, and no lift, would this engine be able to drive an 84 B2 4x4? My B2 currently has a shitbrick 2.8 that i would much rather see used as a lawn ornament.

What I think I know:
I'm not interested in speed or offroad. Just looking for a useable winter DD.
The B2 has the 4spd manual transmission.
The 91 Ranger 2.3 has approx 15 less HP than the 2.8 and ?? torque.
The 2.3 is from a stock 91 Ranger XLT single cab long bed with the 5spd.
The 91 Ranger is complete but the frame and bed are gone to rust.
The 84 B2 is complete, but the engine leaks, rattles, skips, and backfires.
The emissions on the B2 are gone.
Not looking to repair the 2.8.
The electrical is worlds apart between the 84 and 91, but I can swap the dash and whatever else.
I have the 5spd ranger tranny, the 4spd B2 tranny, and an unidentified 5spd equal in length to the 4spd.

What I need to learn:
Is it possible to drive the 4x4 with a 2.3?
If not possible to drive the 4x4, can the 4x2 parts fit my B2?
If I had to sac the 4x4, will the 2.3 and 5spd mate with the B2 D-shaft?
Would the gearing in the B2 allow the swap?
Is the bolt pattern on the 2.3 the same as the 2.8/2.9 bellhousing?
If the gearing is different, would the Ranger's engine, tranny, shaft, and rearend fit my B2?
What is the unidentified 5spd?


Thanks for any input. This swap may be a tad unconventional, but these are the parts I have. Again, I don't care about offroading, lift, speed and whatever on this one. I can get another truck for that.

 

[John Smith]

Actaully I'm in the process of starting that kind of swap myself

I have an 87 B2 and an 88 2.3

you will find that the bell housings are 4 banger specific...

In my case..since i have a distributor capable block..it will be easier for me..I'm not familiar with the dis or edis setup..and I'm really not interested either...I really want to combine old school with the reliability and capability of a 4 banger...for modification...and ease of maintenance

keep searching...some will chime in i'm sure...of course with the usual..."ya gotta turbo it...to throw mud"...but you've already seemed to figure out what you really want like myself....

hang in there....it can work....

 

[adsm08]

Need pics of the unidentified trans before we can tell you what it is.

4-banger won't mate the the 2.8 trans, so if your 91 is a 2wd you have some tranny work ahead of you, but the 4x4 4-cyl transmissions DO exist if you can find them. They are a bit rare, but 2.3L 4x4s were made. Shaft compatibility is also a question of transmission. The 91 trans is likely longer than the B2's. Long enough to not let it work.

 

[84bluebronco2]

I figured i would have some serious work. 5spd 4x4 4bangers would be amazing. Great reliability, mileage. Lacking in power but for the mileage and functionality I would take 10 minutes to get to 60 happily.

 

[trail B2]

I would think it would work good if you keep your tire size small if you can do all the bullshit to put in a 4.0 why not a 2.3?If the tranny in the ranger is a m50d I think it is change the tail shaft and the housing adapter.Look at it this way you'll know a lot more.

I have those tranny parts if you can't find them close pm me.

 

[84bluebronco2]

The ranger got scraped. It was a sad day but my local code enforcement said register and inspect or $250 fine. A sad day indeed.