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2.9L V6 Engine enhancements


offsets...the 150 2wd spring is slightly different. and offset just gives you three locator holes for center bolt.
 
offsets...the 150 2wd spring is slightly different. and offset just gives you three locator holes for center bolt.

I am still not clear what a "offset" is? Is this a custom plate you are making to adapt the width difference? Or is this something I can buy that does the same thing? Are you saying you use a f150 spring plate and it has or you drill holes to make it work with that?

The difference in width is not much, but it is enough to foul things up. I am not sure how long I would have run the springs like they were with that twist in them.
 
Line by line, my responses are in bold.


Are the transmissions you referenced automatics? I want to keep my truck as an automatic even if I get rid of the A4LD.

No, they are not. I have not spent much time around the A4LD, but from what i understand, they are less that 'good.' I do not own, nor drive automatics, so definitely not the right guy to ask ;brownbag;


If I can’t find front and rear sway bars on a B2, would buying aftermarket sway bars for B2 to put on the 89 automatic work?

Possibly. I know of two front sway bars for TTB RBVs, the behind the axle variety, and the before the axle variety. I do not see where the before the axle variety would differ from truck to truck. I may be wrong on this. @85_Ranger4x4

You suggested changing the 89 Ranger intake to a pre 85 Ranger intake. Will any pre-85 intake for Ranger or B2 with a 2.9L do?

So, in order to avoid confusion, there are a few different throttle bodies for the two main flavors of 2.9 intake. The earlier 2.9 RBV upper intakes had a large bore throttle body, and the later had a small bore. I believe 87-back has the larger and 88-92 has the smaller. A larger throttle body on a mostly stock engine will feel more responsive on the throttle.

What modifications can be made to the air box or the tube that begins behind the grill to the air box? I noticed what appears to be wires/sensors on the tube at at midway union.

The rain cover at the front is rumored to be a restriction. When I still had my factory air box, I removed mine. Can't remember if it did anything. Take a look at the tube connecting the air box to the grill, and see if the tube is more restrictive than your throttle body.

Where can I find ‘regular’ JBA headers for the 2.9L automatic? I see them for a 2.9L manual on their website. What do you think of going from a Y to an H exhaust on the 89? Difficulty?

No idea. Mine came from a clearence sale on eBay. Also, exhaust is one of the things that I farm out to a local place. I'll do under hood work on an exhaust system, but not the rest. Too much rust in my eyes for my liking.

What other vehicles besides the Windstar have the 3G alternator and harness? That upgrade may be one of the first I do. With that done, I could move on to other electric upgrades.

I believe most of the 3.8s had the 12-6 o'clock mount tabs. One of the ford techs on here will know more than I. But essentially any 12-6 alternators will work with the Chebby bracket.

I see that you used MB electric fans. Does the brand matter or will fans from other vehicles work just as well? Any preference with regard to sizes on either side?

I actually have three - one eBay cheap-o rigged up inside the factory shroud, and the now-removed MB fans out front. The front ones were removed to fit an intercooler. E-fans are sort of a self-contained mod. Most of the offroad guys will recommend a kill and manual override switch fitted to them as well. From personal experience, the override switch can be a lifesaver when your thermostat fails (happened to me)

Is there an Explorer rear axle that is the same size as the 89 Ranger rear axle? I’ve read where there axles are wider/longer and the rear tires protrude a bit and may require different size wheels. I’m big on symmetry and want to be able to rotate tires at will.

Expo 8.8 is slightly wider, but axles are same bolt pattern for wheels. Just a much beefier axle versus the Ranger 8.8. AFAIK, every Ranger/BII axle is interchangable, just a matter of having the correct u bolts, top plates, and lift blocks.

Thanks in advance for your input.
PJ412

The tube from the air intake behind the grill has two wires connected about midway. Do you know of any ‘side effects’ if I replace the tube with a larger one and do away with or cap those wires? BTW, the air intake is smaller than the throttle body.
 
Start a thread, shoot some photos. May be a IAT sensor relocation.
 
i found the best upgrade for the 2.9.



























s-l1600.jpg




dont thank me......no really...






:buttkick:

















I am still not clear what a "offset" is? Is this a custom plate you are making to adapt the width difference? Or is this something I can buy that does the same thing? Are you saying you use a f150 spring plate and it has or you drill holes to make it work with that?

The difference in width is not much, but it is enough to foul things up. I am not sure how long I would have run the springs like they were with that twist in them.


specifically fore and aft hole locators.....1/2 inch side to side is a non issue.


i run them for years...extremely overloaded....truck pulls, tough truck, and sand/mud racing and ridiculous off road abuse... i twist up springs like bailing wire.....my front springs on my 60 are w'ed right now.




this axle in the ttb pics was about another 1/8 wider perch spacing then stock b2....because I fawked up when I dropped off the mock up axle....it was a b2 axle and not a ranger....




these are old pics.....but this truck has over 1.2 million miles on that frame and whats left of the cab and sheet metal sans doors on the oem spring hangers.....


shackles....well...murdered dozens of those..and axles...and transmissions and drive shafts...


been on its roof twice....and to this day i will hop in it and drive thousands of miles one way to go to work if need be. AND I DO.



so. no. i am not concerned about the b 2 axles difference in perch mounts vs ranger dimensions.



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trs 2 detroit.jpg





and....it is still wrong.
 
Duh. I want to remember when my 7.5 died a violent death.
 
Ok, I was going to keep my mouth shut but I'm old school, I pretty much had the same issue but instead of doing a bunch of unnecessary bling, bling I swapped out the rear end with a junk mustang, took some doing but I decided the engine was fine, it's the drive train that needed help.
 

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