3.0 swap

[Rangerman87]

How hard is a 3.0l swap in a 2.9l 4x ranger,what all do I need?

 

[Gotta_gofast]

Its a LOT easier to swap in a 4.0L than a 3.0L. Check out the Engine Swap tech articles or search the 4.0L swap on the forums.

 

[Rangerman87]

Its a LOT easier to swap in a 4.0L than a 3.0L. Check out the Engine Swap tech articles or search the 4.0L swap on the forums.

Thanks,have another question.How much power would I get by doing a mild P&P,adding the power module and whatever little things that can be done to the 2.9?I'm not looking for 200hp from the 2.9 'cause it ain't gonna happen,just want to know what I can do for a little more power-especially up hill power?

 

[Gotta_gofast]

Your best bet will be a complete tune-up. Since there isn't too much you can do for the 2.9L and aftermarket support is minimal, consentrate on making the rest of the truck "easier" on the engine. You could gasket match and polish the intake. It might show some difference in numbers on the dyno but I honestly don't think you'll actually feel a difference. Run synthetic fluids in your engine, transmission, transfer case, and axles. There is a lof of drivetrain to turn so it will help out a little. Plus better mileage and cooler components. You could also re-gear your truck with numerically higher ratio ring and pinions. But you have a 4X4 so its going to cost a lot if you have a shop perform the labor.
I would highly recommend saving your pennies and finding a wrecked 4.0L ranger or explorer. If you aren't in a hurry, you can probably find one for under $800. For a couple more hundred and a few weekends you'll have everything switched over.

 

[Rangerman87]

Your best bet will be a complete tune-up. Since there isn't too much you can do for the 2.9L and aftermarket support is minimal, consentrate on making the rest of the truck "easier" on the engine. You could gasket match and polish the intake. It might show some difference in numbers on the dyno but I honestly don't think you'll actually feel a difference. Run synthetic fluids in your engine, transmission, transfer case, and axles. There is a lof of drivetrain to turn so it will help out a little. Plus better mileage and cooler components. You could also re-gear your truck with numerically higher ratio ring and pinions. But you have a 4X4 so its going to cost a lot if you have a shop perform the labor.
I would highly recommend saving your pennies and finding a wrecked 4.0L ranger or explorer. If you aren't in a hurry, you can probably find one for under $800. For a couple more hundred and a few weekends you'll have everything switched over.

Thanks,bought a radiator out of an explorer that I need to put in,should definitely help out w/cooling,a guy on another site wrote he smoothed out the throttle body,how much would this help out along with upgrading the ignition?,I know every little thing helps.Headers would be nice but not for $700,and what exactly is the difference between the 2wd and 4wd headers?

 

[Gotta_gofast]

I don't have any personal experience with the 2.9L so I'm not exactly sure what the difference is between headers. I'm sure its an interferance with the 4x4 such as front driveshaft. You could smooth out the throttle body. You could put a sharp edge on the butterfly valve in the throttle body. Just be careful not to remove too much material. Honestly, I really don't think you'll see much of a difference in power. Ignition would help a little. I would do a complete ignition tune-up. New cap and rotor, better wires and plugs. Throw in a better coil, too. I really wouldn't do any more than that, though. The only reason for upgrading your ignition (MSD A6) is if your engine's cylinders are subjected to more violent conditions. Such as forced induction or higher compression pistons.

To be honest, the 2.9L aren't a very good platform for performance.

 

[triumphrider-1]

Thanks,bought a radiator out of an explorer that I need to put in,should definitely help out w/cooling,a guy on another site wrote he smoothed out the throttle body,how much would this help out along with upgrading the ignition?,I know every little thing helps.Headers would be nice but not for $700,and what exactly is the difference between the 2wd and 4wd headers?

I bought a set of Pace headers a few years back for mine, and if I recal corretly they were only about $300US. The 4wd header (from what the guy at Summit told me) sucks up closer at the Y-pipe and I think the headers themselves do not drop down as far.

 

[Rangerman87]

I don't have any personal experience with the 2.9L so I'm not exactly sure what the difference is between headers. I'm sure its an interferance with the 4x4 such as front driveshaft. You could smooth out the throttle body. You could put a sharp edge on the butterfly valve in the throttle body. Just be careful not to remove too much material. Honestly, I really don't think you'll see much of a difference in power. Ignition would help a little. I would do a complete ignition tune-up. New cap and rotor, better wires and plugs. Throw in a better coil, too. I really wouldn't do any more than that, though. The only reason for upgrading your ignition (MSD A6) is if your engine's cylinders are subjected to more violent conditions. Such as forced induction or higher compression pistons.

To be honest, the 2.9L aren't a very good platform for performance.

I've got Accel igntion wires,distributor cap and rotor,Bosch Platinum +4 plugs and Crane PS-91 coil.On the other site the guy said to upgrade the stock injectors to 19lbs hr ones from a five-o,how much would this help?Again,I'm not looking for insane power,just a little more to help with going up hill,tired of tailgaters,not that they're going to trash my truck as it's built sronger than half the ones today!have a Smittybuilt bolted to the back.Down hill it hauls ass,I do the tailgatin'.Anyway,just looking for any helpful hints besides the engine swap,kinda a money thing and facilities,thanks,


Travis

 

[Rangerman87]

I bought a set of Pace headers a few years back for mine, and if I recal corretly they were only about $300US. The 4wd header (from what the guy at Summit told me) sucks up closer at the Y-pipe and I think the headers themselves do not drop down as far.

The 3.0l headers are far cheaper than the 2.9 for some reason,they're just headers.Thanks though,

Travis

 

[Gotta_gofast]

Eh, once again I really doubt 19lbs injectors will really make a difference. Most cheap inexpensive mods don't do any real world improvements. Its more of a placebo effect. Where you have a head ache, someone gives you medicine. You feel better. What you didn't know is it was just a sugar pill. So, most people think they are making more power but in reality the cheap mod didn't do anything or worse, it costed them power. Sorry to be such a bummer, man. lol, I know it must suck. Save your pennies and look into a 4.0L swap. If you still need more power there are go-fast parts for the 4.0L. And believe me, the 4.0L V6 will whoop a 2.9Ls ass.

 

[Gotta_gofast]

The 3.0l headers are far cheaper than the 2.9 for some reason,they're just headers.Thanks though,

Travis

Pacesetter does not produce headers for the 3.0L ranger. Only JBA (all year rangers) and Gibson (new rangers). Believe me... they are pricey!!!

 

[triumphrider-1]

The 3.0l headers are far cheaper than the 2.9 for some reason,they're just headers.Thanks though,

Travis

They were for my old truck, 1990 2.9L

 

[Rangerman87]

Eh, once again I really doubt 19lbs injectors will really make a difference. Most cheap inexpensive mods don't do any real world improvements. Its more of a placebo effect. Where you have a head ache, someone gives you medicine. You feel better. What you didn't know is it was just a sugar pill. So, most people think they are making more power but in reality the cheap mod didn't do anything or worse, it costed them power. Sorry to be such a bummer, man. lol, I know it must suck. Save your pennies and look into a 4.0L swap. If you still need more power there are go-fast parts for the 4.0L. And believe me, the 4.0L V6 will whoop a 2.9Ls ass.

I've driven my buddies 4.0l 2wd,it was nice,I might do little things to the 2.9l but will just keep it reliable,still a good engine and it doesn't really suck.The truck has plenty of potential and kicks ass in the snow,does better than all those overpriced s**tboxes,well thanks for the help.At least I have another truck w/no low power issues,my ol' K5 Betsy.Thanks alot though,


Travis

 

[Rangerman87]

Pacesetter does not produce headers for the 3.0L ranger. Only JBA (all year rangers) and Gibson (new rangers). Believe me... they are pricey!!!

Checked out the 4.0l swap,pretty straight foward,can I still use my tranny though or would it be better to use the one from the 4.0l?

 

[Gotta_gofast]

The 2.8L, 2.9L, and 4.0L all share tha same bellhousing bolt pattern. So, yes it will bolt on. But (I know, theres always a but) Ford put multiple transmissions behind the 2.9L including the FM-145, FM-146, Toyo Koygo 5 speed and the (rare for 2.9L) Mazda M5OD-R1. Now, the 4.0L will physically "bolt" to any of these transmissions, but only the M5OD-R1 will be able to withstand the torque of the bigger engine. If you come across a 4.0L donor vehicle, go ahead and use the M5OD-R1 behind it. Otherwise, you can always find a manual transmission in good condition at a junkyard.