4.0 swap

[kisho121]

I have a 1986 ford ranger with a 2.9. i wanna drop a 4.0 into it but i have no idea on what sort of donor vehicle to look for that would be the simplest to drop in. Ideas and suggestions would be greatful. thanks.

 

[AllanD]

On a Gen1 truck with an EFI engine ('85-88 2.3 or '86-88 2.9) there is no "Easy" swap.

The swaps get a bunch easier on a 1989-92 and even easier on a 1993-94

I swapped a 1993 engine on a 1987, and while I'd do it exactly the same way again.

I had technical reasons for the specific choices I made, and was prepared to
do whatever was necissary to do it the way I wanted.


My Donor didn't just "Fall into my lap" I specifically chose a 1993 as a donor because 1993's have the "smarter" version of EEC4 with an "Active data link"
and the power distribution system uses all "Top mounted" fuses and relays...

Dealing with those made the swap more complicated, but easier to diagnose and maintain.

 

[4.0B2]

i used a 93 explorer for a parts donor.. while not "easy" compared to the 89-90, i made it happen, even used my stock dash instead of the 93 dash like most people do...

best thing you can do is get GOOD wiring diagrams for both rigs and start matching stuff up.. i did mine wire by wire to check everything motor-wise.

 

[ronclark]

On a Gen1 truck with an EFI engine ('85-88 2.3 or '86-88 2.9) there is no "Easy" swap.

The swaps get a bunch easier on a 1989-92 and even easier on a 1993-94

I swapped a 1993 engine on a 1987, and while I'd do it exactly the same way again.

I had technical reasons for the specific choices I made, and was prepared to
do whatever was necissary to do it the way I wanted.


My Donor didn't just "Fall into my lap" I specifically chose a 1993 as a donor because 1993's have the "smarter" version of EEC4 with an "Active data link"
and the power distribution system uses all "Top mounted" fuses and relays...

Dealing with those made the swap more complicated, but easier to diagnose and maintain.

I when this way with my truck, i would say its a hard swap, but no as hard as i had expected. get some EVTM for both rigs and your pretty much set.

 

[holyford86]

took me 2 days to do, made my own wiring harness and all, pretty easy swap for me, over a year and 14k miles later, no issues

 

[Roger]

In the middle of a 2.3 to 4.0 swap right now. Doing this ina 1990 truck, but we replaced the rusted out original cab a few years ago with a 1988 cab, and made all the changes then, so the 1990 dash and wiring worked. We are swapping in a complete 1994 Explorer powertrain and wiring, so we can have AC and cruise. Almost everything underhood lines up and bolts or clips in place, but the interior wiring harness has been my thorn in the side, but almost done. Waiting on parts, seems the oil pan gasket changed between 93 and 94.