97 3.8L in an 84 Ranger

[Cookster128]

Hello all,

I'm new here and I am sure this question has probably come up before, but I'm tired of reading....

My 2.8L V6 just exploded in my Ranger (Imagine that!). A friend of mine has a 3.8L from a 1997 Ford Mustang. It would be great if this would hook up relatively easily cause it would save me like three grand. So, what would a project like this include?

And if there is a thread that already answers this, please direct me to it.

 

[Original_Ranger84]

I think it would take quite some time and money to convert a OBII FI engine into a OBDI Carbed engine. but thats just me. You would be better off with a 4.0L out of an earlier explorer.

 

[Cookster128]

Thanks for the reply.

Maybe a stupid question... but why would I have to change it to a carbed engine and switch OBD II to OBD I? Could I not just switch the entire engine and wiring and all?

On the other hand; is there a post somewhere of a 4.0L swap?

 

[Original_Ranger84]

Thanks for the reply.

Maybe a stupid question... but why would I have to change it to a carbed engine and switch OBD II to OBD I? Could I not just switch the entire engine and wiring and all?

On the other hand; is there a post somewhere of a 4.0L swap?

No I mean the engine is OBDII but the truck and previous engine are OBDI and carbed you don't have to switch it back. But your going to have to swap gas tanks, lines, motor mounts ect...

Yeah there is alot of posts about 4.0L swaps. just use the search buutton on the bar.

 

[Hotrodlincoln]

If you're that attached to the truck drop a 302 in it. Otherwise get a new truck. Much easier than trying to swap a fuel injected engine into a truck that has none of the electronics needed to make it work.

 

[red85]

If you did a 4.0L OHV swap you'd be miles ahead of the 2.8 that you had in there. First gen Explorers are cheap and plentiful. Just swap the entire drivetrain over to the Ranger. If you buy a wrecked but complete Explorer, this swap is practically a bolt in. I remember many years ago when I read about a guy who swapped a 91 Explorer 4.0 and transmission into his 83 Bronco II. At the time, I thought "I'm gonna do that". The 2.8 in my Bronco didn't die though LOL. A 3.8 from a Mustang presents a bunch of issues where the 4.0 is practically a bolt in affair.