2.9 to 3.0 swap

[richard89]

I have a 89 2.9L 5spd with 350,000 miles. The engine is shot. No oil pressure and knocking. I have a 93 ranger 3.0 auto(60,000 miles) that was totaled (free). The frame is bent. I would like to swap out the engine and trans into my 89. I know I'll need to swap out wiring, sensors, and computer.
Anything I have to watch out for.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

since you have a complete donor vehicle, it should be basically bolt-in and any snags you run into along the way should be easily remedied with more donor parts.

a complete 60K drivetrane for free, good deal!

 

[rurouni20xx]

your going to have 2 use the 3.0 tranny engine combo, the 2.9 tranny wont bolt up to the engine, the rest you can tell from there.

 

[Original_Ranger84]

Also your truck ahs a manual and if you want to keep a manual, find one from another 3.0L along with the computer from a 3.0 manual.

 

[richard89]

Thank you

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll be starting this as soon as I get the wreck towed to the house. I'll post more info as the project moves forward.

 

[richard89]

Well tomorrow I pull the engine/tranny out of the donor truck and bring my 89 into the garage. It was really slow going due to the crash damage. The left front wheel was pushed back at least 12 inches. And the drivers door still opens and closes just fine.

I got all the harnesses and accessories out now and every thing will go into the 89. A couple of questions:
1. Will the wire harness from the 3.0 just plug into the electrical connector on the firewall where the 2.9 plugged in?

2. Does anyone know where to get a box to house the computer from the 93 3.0 under the hood?

 

[AllanD]

I would strongly recommend locating a 1990-1992 3.0 Ranger as a donor
for the engine wiring harness.

a 1993 Ranger's engine bay layout is so different as to be useless in a gen2

The computer for example is mounter IN the firewall on the drivers side...
NOT in the passenger side kickpanel.
the laod center is on the drivers side of the engine bay as is the battery, etc....

trust me, you REALLY want a 1991-92 3.0 harness, on the other road lies only misery...

AD

 

[rusty ol ranger]

If it were me id sell the 3.0 and buy another 2.9.

You'll be disappointed with the 3.0s performance, i bet that knocking 2.9 has more power then a 60K 3.0.

later,
Dustin

 

[richard89]

I'll be using all the under hoods parts. It looks like it will be a left to right swap for the battery/relays/fuses and the overflow conatainer and the windshield washer tank. I'll be running the wires for the windshield washer across the radiator support with the overflow hose. It looks like the easier swap then trying to locate another wire harness.