94 4cyl into 98?

[BrandonLee]

Ok so I bought a 98 5speed 4cyl ranger for $200 a couple of months ago. Catch is it needs a motor, still has the block in it but it was cracked and previous owner took head off. I have a guy offering me a 1994 4cyl 5speed motor + trans for $100 and I’m new to the ranger game so I have no idea what works and what doesn’t. Can it be done??

 

[1990RangerinSK]

I've seen similar questions asked recently. If I'm not mistaken, the answer is that certain things need to match. I think one of the things is that the engine will require a 1994 (because it's a 1994 engine) computer. NOTE: 1994 is EEC-IV/OBDI. Your 1998(?) truck currently has EEC-V/OBDII. They're entirely different animals, with entirely different sensors.

Can somebody else please chime in, now, before I look like a total idiot because I don't know what I'm talking about?

 

[adsm08]

The year of the engine and computer don't have to match perfectly, but you are trying to put an OBDI 2.3L in place of an OBD2 2.5L, which will complicate matters greatly. It can be done, because they are more or less the same engine, but it is a lot of parts to swap at the very least.

Better to find a 2.5.

 

[tinman_72]

I have done the opposite. I put a '98 2.5 into my '93 that had a 2.3. If I had to do it again I wouldn't bother, it was too much trouble. Putting the '94 into a '98 will be harder, unless you don't mind rewiring the engine bay and using a computer from a '93 or '94.

 

[RonD]

1989 to 1994 2.3l used a Hall Effect Crank sensor.
1995 to 2001 2.3l and 2.5l used a Variable Reluctance Crank sensor

Now that doesn't sound like a big deal........................well it is, a VERY BIG DEAL, whole front of the engine is different.

As tinman said you have to swap the whole system to use pre-1995 in a 1995 and up or visa versa

So pass on any 1994 or earlier 2.3l engine, look for 1995 -1997 2.3l or 1998 to 2001 2.5l
2001 to 2012 2.3l is not the same engine as the earlier pre-1998 2.3l, so won't swap easily either

 

[1990RangerinSK]

2001 to 2012 2.3l is not the same engine as the earlier pre-1998 2.3l, so won't swap easily either

If memory serves me correctly (and it usually doesn't, because it's so short it can sit on the curb and let it's feet dangle), the pre 1998 2.3l is the Lima engine, right? It's the same engine that Rangers came with in 1983, and it originated in the Pinto? The later 2.3 is a Duratec, and it's the same engine as the 2.3 that was available in the Focus. Right?

 

[RonD]

Yes, 1974 Pinto was the first year of the 2.3l SOHC Lima engine, so it's nick name is the Pinto engine, Lima is because it was made at Ford's Lima, Ohio engine plant, from 1974 to mid-2001.

Ford also used it in Mustangs and a few other vehicles, and in Rangers from 1983 to 1997.
Only Rangers had it from 1995 to 1997, because of the change in the front of the engine

Yes, in late 2001 Ford switch the Ranger 4cyl option to the 2.3l DOHC Duratec, actually the Mazda L engine that Ford renamed Duratec, Ford had/has several "Duratec" engines, they like that name, lol.
List is here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Duratec_engine

Ford also likes Duratorq for smaller displacement diesel engines, there are several of those as well

 

[cstarbard]

Others that have chimed and others who haven't know a LOT more than I do, but these are my thoughts.

The 98 2.5 made better power and torque (though not by a lot, but still) than even the 95-97 2.3s, and the parts for 98-00 era Rangers are still quite available. My 1996 2.3 5 speed can manage 29.8 mpg peak (not kidding) and I have heard that the 2.5 can do the same, with slightly better power and torque, the best I ever got out of my 94 2.3 5 speed was 27.

For the ease of your swap, a 98 era 2.5 would really be best. You retain OBD2 which is a huge benefit in itself IMO, and it also means you don't have to have the donor wiring, ecu, etc for the 94 engine, or somehow retrofit the 94 to be OBD2 which would be quite the headache beyond what I can even begin to comprehend. Even in MA where these trucks are getting scrapped and junked at an alarming rate, 98-00 trucks and parts are still pretty plentiful.

The 2.3/2.5 Lima engines are quite tough... finding a 2.5 donor engine or parts truck with a solid engine shouldn't be too hard or costly, and then its a plug-and-play swap.

 

[RonD]

1995 to 2001 4cyl Lima engines, 2.3l or 2.5l, can't be swapped into a 1994 or earlier Ranger unless you change to the 1995 and up 104-wire Computer system, OBD2

1994 and earlier use 60-wire computer, OBD1, which can not be used with a 1995-2001 4cyl Lima engine because of the crank sensor, it is a big deal, and a deal breaker unless you want to swap out computer and wiring

And visa versa, 1994 and earlier 4cyl Lima won't work in 1995 to 2001 Ranger for the same reason, crank sensor mismatch, no way to change it or wire around it

 

[tinman_72]

1995 to 2001 4cyl Lima engines, 2.3l or 2.5l, can't be swapped into a 1994 or earlier Ranger unless you change to the 1995 and up 104-wire Computer system, OBD2

1994 and earlier use 60-wire computer, OBD1, which can not be used with a 1995-2001 4cyl Lima engine because of the crank sensor, it is a big deal, and a deal breaker unless you want to swap out computer and wiring...

It can be done. See this thread starting with #12. Sorry, pics are lost.

 

[RonD]

It can be done. See this thread starting with #12. Sorry, pics are lost.

Anything "can" be done, not the point, point is it is a very hard swap to do, not plug and play because they are the "same" engine.

So swap "should not be done", instead of "can not be done"

 

[jsd3]

1995 to 2001 4cyl Lima engines, 2.3l or 2.5l, can't be swapped into a 1994 or earlier Ranger unless you change to the 1995 and up 104-wire Computer system, OBD2

1994 and earlier use 60-wire computer, OBD1, which can not be used with a 1995-2001 4cyl Lima engine because of the crank sensor, it is a big deal, and a deal breaker unless you want to swap out computer and wiring

And visa versa, 1994 and earlier 4cyl Lima won't work in 1995 to 2001 Ranger for the same reason, crank sensor mismatch, no way to change it or wire around it

Not true. I have a 1995 OBD2 setup in my 94' OBD1 truck. It's not that hard at all. You just have to drill and tap the 95' block to accept the 94' crank sensor (the bosses are present on the block, just not drilled). The 95+ Head is missing a bolt hole where the alternator bracket mounts, once again just a simple drill and tap procedure. Aside from these things there were very few issues putting 95 engine in 94 truck. I honestly think the 94' to 95+ swap would be more difficult. I've never messed with the 2.5 engine but I assume the wiring and mounting brackets are very similar to 95+ 2.3's. The biggest issue I see him having is the computer not liking the change in displacement from 2.5L to 2.3L.

 

[jsd3]

oh and of course you will need to use the 94' harmonic balancer/pulley on the 95' to 94' swap.

 

[RonD]

Yes, as stated not a simple swap

 

[jsd3]

Yes, as stated not a simple swap

well I suppose simplicity IS relative