2.9 Ford Exhaust

[quinoacowboy]

I have an 89 2.9 Ranger. It's kind of junky, it's reliable about 75%. It just has to last me until the winter so I can save and buy a second gen. That being said, it has a cracked head and if I do replace it, I want to put headers or different exhuast manifolds on it. Are there any other exhuast manifolds that fit from any other 2.9? 3.0L or 4.0L headers? I love the truck and really it's my gateway into teaching myself how to work on cars

 

[rusty ol ranger]

That is a second gen lol.

I think youre pretty much stuck with 2.9 stuff. I know 3.0 wont work and despite the 4.0 being the 2.9s closest cousin i dont think theyll work either...ive never messed with it but i think its been tried around here before.

However...i do believe a company or two is still making aftermarket headers for them.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Yeah, you have a second gen. 89-92 was second gen.

That said, if you can find the appropriate donor, a 4.0 is a relatively easy upgrade. Find ideally a 90-92 Ranger with a 4.0, you need the engine, computer and wiring harness. Bolts right in and should be pretty much plug and play. I did that on my 89 Bronco II years ago. The transmission will bolt up and work for awhile, but the 4.0 trucks got a stronger transmission.

 

[quinoacowboy]

Yeah, you have a second gen. 89-92 was second gen.

That said, if you can find the appropriate donor, a 4.0 is a relatively easy upgrade. Find ideally a 90-92 Ranger with a 4.0, you need the engine, computer and wiring harness. Bolts right in and should be pretty much plug and play. I did that on my 89 Bronco II years ago. The transmission will bolt up and work for awhile, but the 4.0 trucks got a stronger transmission.

I might consider the 4.0 into the ranger and thanks for correcting me. I always thought 89-92 was still first gen, just with a face lift (since they all pretty shared the same everything else)

 

[gaz]

@quinoacowboy
All OHV 4.0l headers and manifolds fit, the 98+ spec OHV 4.0l exhaust manifold offers improved flow over it's predecessors and match exhaust port size; make certain that you understand the difference between 1991-2000 OHV 4.0l and 2000+ SOHC 4.0l, which do not fit.

@Kenobi77 had a set that I believe he decided not to use; message him ..)

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I might consider the 4.0 into the ranger and thanks for correcting me. I always thought 89-92 was still first gen, just with a face lift (since they all pretty shared the same everything else)

I did the 4.0 swap in my 89 Bronco II years ago. My engine harness and computer are from a 91 Ranger. Had to splice a few wires on the drivers side of the engine bay, but that may not be an issue on the Ranger.

The official stance of TRS for years has been that 83-88 is first gen, 89-92 second gen (front clip, dash, and wiring all changed), 93-97 is 3rd gen (93/94 is early 3rd gen because it still had a 2nd gen dash, 95-97 is sort of a “facelift” 3rd gen because the OBD2 electrical started and the dash changed), and so on. Ford did a number of mid production changes in the Ranger. The crazy thing is the bed floor stayed the same from 83-11. 98-11 front fenders are actually basically the same.