2.8 or 4.0

[84stealthranger]

well the title says some of what i wanna kno lol should i find a 2.8 and rebuild it and drop it in with some add on parts like the dura spark and a few other things? if any ideas on add on parts post em up. or should i find a 4.0 and swap it. btw this is my DD but i dont need it to get to work so time isnt really an issue but what would be the best for a good relieable truck also im gonna wanna put a 5 speed in just for the extra gear and do the 4.0 clutch swap if i do a 2.8 any suggestions on doing any of this.

 

[BeaterMan]

the 2.8 isnt a bad engine but it just doesn't make alot of power. the 4.0 would be a real nice swap but there is alot of wiring changes that need to take place. You could build up a 2.8 for a lil more ponies but that would cost alot more. I'm kinda toying with the same idea you are having and am leaning towards a 3.8L v6 and using a throttle body injection wiring harness that "pretty much" just plugs into the old 2.8 harness.

 

[91explorermatt]

I don't think the 2.9 efi is much different from your 2.8, but when i went to a 4.0 i noticed a huge difference, but what i didn't like is the notorious m5od.

if time and money is no object, you'll like the 4.0 more, its not a bad cruising motor and seems to drink less than the 2.9..but that could be because I don't have to floor it up hills

4.0 is also a good towing motor...I haven't found out yet because of the m5od

 

[dangerranger83]

When doing to 4.0 swap I'm also told that you have to put the 4.0 dash board in your truck to make it easier to wire up.

 

[strvger]

might be better if you can find an older, carbed 289/302 for your swap. more power, no fi add-on's to do (gas tank, fuel pump, etc.), no dash swapping, etc. and, iirc, there are tranny adapters for the swap. just a thought.

 

[dangerranger83]

If you put a 289/302 in front of a ranger tranny, you can estimate the life of the tranny in minutes (I'll give 10 min. at most).

 

[84stealthranger]

haha so 289 is a bad idea unless u swap a tranny also i kinda dont wanna have to swap a dash. is that 3.8 from a mustang v6 i think those r in the ford vans too what ever there called lol. Dangerranger what did u do too ur 2.8 i kno u have done alot ive seen ur thread too. what r the chances of finding a 2.8 and how much would i be spending to do a full rebuild

 

[NMB2]

the 2.8 isnt bad with a few modifications. Mine has been turning35's and 40's for the last 4yrs.

 

[84stealthranger]

well thats good to hear ive never had a problem with it starting ever just once but i think it had a vapor lock it was hottt that day if i could find a 2.8 to rebuild i would work on doin that while driving what i have then swap em out but i think its a better idea to take my time on something like this. from what ive seen in the 2.8 forum thread this is a good motor i think ill go with the 2.8 rather then the 4.0 i dont need more power haha. anyone kno anyone else selling one ha

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

If you put a 289/302 in front of a ranger tranny, you can estimate the life of the tranny in minutes (I'll give 10 min. at most).

haha so 289 is a bad idea unless u swap a tranny also i kinda dont wanna have to swap a dash. is that 3.8 from a mustang v6 i think those r in the ford vans too what ever there called lol. Dangerranger what did u do too ur 2.8 i kno u have done alot ive seen ur thread too. what r the chances of finding a 2.8 and how much would i be spending to do a full rebuild

Actually a common transmission for a V-8 swap is found in the 83-84 RBV's... the C-5 which is pretty much the same thing as the common as dirt behind a V-8 C-4. I have a C-5 stashed away with a V-8 bellhousing off of a C-4 for my pending 302 swap.

I looked at rebuilding a 2.8... it doesn't cost much more to rebuild a V-8 (or I suppose a 4.0 if you prefer) Wiring will be a challenge with anything fuel injected but the sensors for the dash (oil pressure, temp and amps) will still be the same.

 

[dangerranger83]

All my engine has done to it is a high volume oil pump, new gaskets, and a TBI system off a 3.8 liter engine, just needs a fuel regulator but runs and drives but is getting to much fuel, go figure though and has 180,XXX miles on it, came out of my dads truck. I will say its better then the 2.3 liter I had in it.

To keep it simple, rebuild a 2.8.

The tranny mine has is the Toyo Koygo 4 speed, orginaly had a 4 banger in front of it, my truck was made the first year it produced. I personally have never seen a C4 in a ranger, not saying they werent made with them.

 

[84stealthranger]

yea i think i have that same tranny its a 4 speed i have a parts truck with a 2.3 and 4 speed and transfer case idk if im gonna use it tho. ill take a look at the junk yard to see if they got a b2 or ranger with a 2.8 or maybe something else with a 2.8. i might go crazy with this motor and save money and build it as i get more money get some things that i seen in the 2.8 tech section

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The tranny mine has is the Toyo Koygo 4 speed, orginaly had a 4 banger in front of it, my truck was made the first year it produced. I personally have never seen a C4 in a ranger, not saying they werent made with them.

Mine is technically a C-5 out of a '84 Bronco II. Like I said they are very similar to the C-4, there were some differences in the valve body and had a locking torque converter. They didn't put them in very long, and they were before automatics really started catching on in the mid/late 80's.

 

[ranger874wd]

c_5

yea i think i have that same tranny its a 4 speed i have a parts truck with a 2.3 and 4 speed and transfer case idk if im gonna use it tho. ill take a look at the junk yard to see if they got a b2 or ranger with a 2.8 or maybe something else with a 2.8. i might go crazy with this motor and save money and build it as i get more money get some things that i seen in the 2.8 tech section

if you dont mind an a/t find a c-5 it will bolt up to every thing up to and including 302

 

[ranger874wd]

c-4/ c-5

If I remember right mine is out of a '84 Bronco II. They didn't put them in very long, and they were before automatics really started catching on.

c-5 rebuilt with c-4 guts is the best of the best