2.9 Transmission Swap

[rusty ol ranger]

A manual trans will really wake up the 2.9. So will lower axle gears

 

[ty.forestcom]

A manual trans will really wake up the 2.9. So will lower axle gears

Great to know, it’s definitely my top priority but as the truck has been sitting for about 4 months now and all the doner trucks I’ve looked at haven’t checked out. I would like to get it running. I imagine by the next year I’ll have her swapped but no telling if it’ll have the 2.9. I’ve never driven a 2.9, just the 4.0. So I’m exited, it’s also a first gen, correct me if I’m wrong, 88. I’ve heard they ride really nice and I’m exited to see what’s that’s all about

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Great to know, it’s definitely my top priority but as the truck has been sitting for about 4 months now and all the doner trucks I’ve looked at haven’t checked out. I would like to get it running. I imagine by the next year I’ll have her swapped but no telling if it’ll have the 2.9. I’ve never driven a 2.9, just the 4.0. So I’m exited, it’s also a first gen, correct me if I’m wrong, 88. I’ve heard they ride really nice and I’m exited to see what’s that’s all about

Im a ride or die 2.9 guy. In all honesty a 4.0 isnt really worth ripping out a healthy good running 2.9 for espicially since they are harder to swap (ive heard, mainly wiring) into a 1st gen.

Unless youre running massive tires i think youll be impressed with the guts a 2.9 has.

 

[ty.forestcom]

A manual trans will really wake up the 2.9. So will lower axle gears

I was thinking 8.8 swap, how did you go about that?

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I was thinking 8.8 swap, how did you go about that?

Never done it.

Unless youre doing an explorer 8.8 all youre gaining over your 7.5 is a bigger ring gear. The explorer one has 31 spline shafts.

Honestly if youre gonna wheel it id be way more concerned about the front D28.

 

[ty.forestcom]

Im a ride or die 2.9 guy. In all honesty a 4.0 isnt really worth ripping out a healthy good running 2.9 for espicially since they are harder to swap (ive heard, mainly wiring) into a 1st gen.

Unless youre running massive tires i think youll be impressed with the guts a 2.9 has.

Small wheels and tires, no need for that. I’m definitely exited but won’t be able to shake it’s an automatic . I’ve got some tinkering in mind with the engine no doubt. I think I’ll port the heads to start, anything else you’ve done that had a noticeable difference? I’ve read K&N intakes can get you up 20-25 mpg. Appreciate the info Sir thank you very much.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Ok…

So, 88 is the last year of the 1st gens. Yes, a 4.0 swap is a bit of electrical. The best way to deal with that is a complete donor if you go that route.

8.8” rear from a Ranger is a bolt-in swap for the most part. Same with a D-35 front from a Ranger (90-97) or Explorer (91-94). Bigger ring gear for the 8.8 and as mentioned the Explorer got the 31 spline and disk brakes. The D-28 is weak even on a stock vehicle. The 7.5” is an adequate rear, but I have blown them up.

Gasket matching or ideally a gasket match/flow port is supposed to help. Also going to free-floating rockers. Balanced internals and a mild cam is advisable if you’re rebuilding the motor. It will also take a couple psi of boost if you have the later heads. The downside to these upgrades is that it all can be done for about the same money to a 4.0 and you get that much more performance.

I do plan to throw a few mods at the 2.9 when I get back to building my 88 B2. I had intended on running the D-28 and 7.5” in it but I’m leaning hard towards doing a D-35 and 8.8”. It will get a modded A4LD as well. I just need to get some other projects handled before I get back to that.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Small wheels and tires, no need for that. I’m definitely exited but won’t be able to shake it’s an automatic . I’ve got some tinkering in mind with the engine no doubt. I think I’ll port the heads to start, anything else you’ve done that had a noticeable difference? I’ve read K&N intakes can get you up 20-25 mpg. Appreciate the info Sir thank you very much.

Youll probably get close to 20 leaving it stock. I wouldnt put much faith in intakes and things, the factory tube provides more then enough air for 177 cubic inches.

Look up some of petroleumjunkie threads on 2.9performance. He was working miracles

 

[ty.forestcom]

Thank you both.