2.8L to 2.9L swap

[hilawfresh]

Greetings everyone, after a long break from my project (getting married and all), I finally have some time to get back into it.

I recently purchased a donor vehicle (1989 2.9L Ranger) and I want to swap the 2.9L motor onto my 2.8L Ranger (1985). I would like to keep the 1985 dash. What wirings do I need to add/replace in addition to putting all the 1989 components onto the 1985. Keep in mind I live in CA, I'd like to keep CA legal lol.

Thanks in advance.

 

[19Walt93]

My first question is why would you do the swap? Just because you can is a reason.
I would buy an EVTM for both vehicles as a second step. My first step would be to research whether the swap will fly in your state at all.
An 89 would be EEC IV, 96 and newer would be EEC V / OBDII and a 96 would require emissions inspection in NH. The Gordon Darby system NH and many states use compares the VIN in the PCM to the one on the registration. For example, if I put the complete engine, harness, and all the emissions equipment from a 2001 into a 96 vehicle, it would not pass inspection due to the VIN mismatch- even though it met the later requirements. People who write and pass laws are not required to understand the subject they are regulating.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

My first question is why would you do the swap? Just because you can is a reason.
I would buy an EVTM for both vehicles as a second step. My first step would be to research whether the swap will fly in your state at all.
An 89 would be EEC IV, 96 and newer would be EEC V / OBDII and a 96 would require emissions inspection in NH. The Gordon Darby system NH and many states use compares the VIN in the PCM to the one on the registration. For example, if I put the complete engine, harness, and all the emissions equipment from a 2001 into a 96 vehicle, it would not pass inspection due to the VIN mismatch- even though it met the later requirements. People who write and pass laws are not required to understand the subject they are regulating.

Its going into an 85 with a 2.8L. Emissions shouldnt be an issue.

Motor will drop right in...no issues there. The factory PCM location on a 1st gen is under the passenger side kick panel, id mount the ECM there for the 2.9 and yank the 89 wiring harness and just slide it in the other truck.

The only issue youll have im aware of is getting the high pressure fuel pump running in the 85 and getting the 89 harness to work with the older dash...but im sure its been done and i dont know the particulars

 

[19Walt93]

Emissions wouldn't be a problem in NH, either because the truck is an 85. I would make darn sure California would accept it before spending time and money doing the swap. On and EEC IV vehicle there is no PCM, Ford called that thing a processor.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Emissions wouldn't be a problem in NH, either because the truck is an 85. I would make darn sure California would accept it before spending time and money doing the swap. On and EEC IV vehicle there is no PCM, Ford called that thing a processor.

I thought the law was as long as the engine is newer then what its going in its legal.

But yeah id double check