2.3L to 2.5L with 4x4

[riljc7]

I want to know if this is an option for me?

Did they make the 2.5L with 4x4?
if not
Can you put a 2.5L enigne in place of a 2.3L engine that has 4x4?

I have a 96 2.3L dual plug with limit-slip and love it but I live in michigan and I want to do some snow removal next year. So I just need one that is a 4x4, and it would be nice to have a bit more power as well.

What do you guys think?

Thanks

 

[Beanmachine7000]

They did not make the 2.5 and 4x4...
The 2.5 is just a stroked 2.3...
Plowing with any RBV isn't recommended, but if you're going to I'd think you would want something other than a 4-cylinder...
If you are thinking about taking your 2wd 2.3 Ranger and making at a 4wd 2.5 Ranger, it would be way cheaper and way less work just to sell it and buy a 4wd Ranger...

If that's not your plan, then I'm confused...

 

[riljc7]

Whats and RBV?

I wouldn't be plowing, I would drive around then shovel sidewalks. Harder I know.So I need to get a 2.3L with 4x4. hard to find.Can I make it a 2.3L a 2.5L?

Maybe I should look for a even harder to find Diesel ranger.


I love the 2.3L Lima, but I want it 4x4, with more power. I might pull trailers. Basically I want a used truck that I can keep forever, put new motor and trans, then fix all side problems as they come.

 

[Beanmachine7000]

RBV=Ranger Based Vehicle (Ranger, Explorer, BII, yadda yadda)

Oh, ok... That makes more sense... Yeah, if your truck is 2wd it's going to be a pain to swap in the 4wd stuff because your engine crossmember is totally different... You could do a D30 SFA swap (Solid Front Axle)... That would probably be easier than swapping in the 4wd TTB stuff...

To make a 2.3 a 2.5, the easiest way is to just swap in the motor, though I suppose you could find a stroker 2.5 crank, but I'm not sure if everything else is the same (deck height and whatnot)... Honestly though, it wouldn't be worth it...

The 2.3 Lima is a great motor, it'll pull a trailer just fine (albeit not a 5K lb car trailer or something)... You'll have a hard time killing that 2.3 too... If you are looking for a small truck to do some serious work (towing heavy trailers, etc) I'd try and get/swap in a 4.0 or do like I plan on and do a GM 6.5 swap...

 

[riljc7]

sounds great thanks BEANMACHINE

Is there any maintence I should be looking at?

It got 180,000 miles, it sputers a little when giving it gas sometimes. I find that it shifts hard into 3rd and jerks. It will hit a point and take off, then it shifts and loses a little power and then gets to a point where it takes off again. I can't complain it gets 25 mpg every tank.

 

[Beanmachine7000]

Honestly, the only maintenance I've done to my 2.5 Ranger (188k) and my 2.3 Ranger (250K+) was oil changes every 5K and whatever came up... I've replaced an accessory belt on the 2.5 and before I sold it, I actually did no maintenance to the 2.3... About the sputtering, my 2.5 does that, I'm pretty sure it's the IAC, I don't drive it that much anymore though, so it is on the back burner for now... As for your tranny, I'd go ahead and drop the pan and change out the filter and whatever fluid is in the pan (don't take it somewhere, their little machine doesn't do anything)... If it looks very dark (dark reddish to brown), I'd do the same thing again in about 3K miles...

BTW - 180K miles isn't much for a Lima engine... The 3.0 Vulcan and the 2.3 Lima are the most reliable (IMO) engines Ford ever made...