4.0 swap

[zukirider21]

i'm in the process of coming up with a gamplan for my trip to harry's u pull it.

plan a is to grab a drop in 2.9 replacement.

if they dont have a 2.9, im considering a 4.0 swap. read a few articles in the tech section and it seems like it might be doable. but i have a few questions:

• do i need the ENTIRE wiring harness (from computer inside cab, thru bigass firewall connector, to engine) or do i just need the "engine harness"?
• why do i need the power distribution center from the 4.0 doner vehicle?
• the 4.0 will fit correctly in a second gen ranger WITHOUT a body lift, right?
• i have a speed density 2.9 setup. is going to a maf 4.0 setup as easy as just running the 4 wires from the maf sensor to the computer like on a fox body?

i'll probably have some more questions in a little bit lol. by the way, i have a 1989 ranger xlt 2.9/auto

 

[adsm08]

If this is for your 89, you shouldn't need the dash harness, just the engine and computer.

The 4.0 was always MAF.

4.0 fits into all Rangers, no lifting needed. Just the proper engine mounts.

An FM trans won't stand up to it though.

 

[zukirider21]

okay cool now what about the "power distribution center"? i cant really see why the 4.0 one would need to be swapped over.

 

[country0001]

I did mine in an early 90 b2, so essentially an 89. I used the entire harness from the front to back from a 94 ranger. No major issues. Get the entire harness. The only splicing I did was the taillights. Unless ypu can get a harness from a 90 ranger w a 4.0, there will be a few minor issues. No biggie. Power windows can present a problem.


Look in the tech section for more info

 

[zukirider21]

hmmm thats quite a bit of work im gonna try to just go the 2.9 route for now. i really dont wanna screw around with tearing apart the dash and what not...

 

[cmwright14]

I just finished a 4.0 swap in my 89. Had to do the same thing country0001 did with the harness. I had the complete donor explorer so it made things easier. Used the 4.0 engine and headlight/engine bay harness as well as the dash harness that goes through the firewall. When i first did the swap i didnt realize the dash harness was different. I've read that you can rewire some of the wires going into the firewall connector, but i just swapped harnesses. I also had to rewire the connectors that go through the driverside framerail running to the tailights to get them to work.