Daily driver Swap?

[flyinbikes]

I drive an 87 single cab long bed 2.3 EFI 5-speed. I am thinking about finding 2.3 turbo and doing a swap . I am wanting know how do these trucks work when the swap is done? the truck will be a daily drive when done used to haul wood, atv etc. As for my knowlege never done any like this but am very mechanically minded, very willing to learn an enjoy doing so.

Thanks
Jonathan

 

[juggalomania92]

sounds like an cool swap to do, if you are looking to gather parts i got a 2.3 turbo assembly no shaft play, a vam, the downpipe w/o2 sensor, throttle body, and intercooler, i just dont have the manifolds to go with it

 

[kaytbugsdad]

The swap itself is pretty simple to do..... I've had mine since February and I've had nothing but fun with it, gas mileage actually got better (don't have to always mat it to the floor to get out of the way!!), and the sound of a turbo under the hood is way cool!!! And I drive mine to work everyday, even take it to the track so i can see what mods work and what mods don't as far as performance.....

 

[bh]

It'll be the same driving around untill you hit the gas! I've owned a few turbo coupes and they were a blast. boost only really comes on when you want it to.
I'm also in the middle of swapping a 2.3t into my 86 ranger and looks like for 86 and 87 you just have to unplug your egr wires and pin in the vam harness if using an LA3. planning to post a "how to" once I'm done, can't find shit on the non dis 2.3's.

the 87 mustang swap seems to be pretty close
http://www.stinger-performance.com/turboswap2.html

 

[flyinbikes]

Sorry for taking so long to get back to you. I have been very busy. I am hoping to do a 2.3T swap in the summer. I was wondering if the best course was to swap it into a long or short bed truck? all answers are well come.

Thanks
Jonathan

 

[scotts90ranger]

wheelbase doesn't matter. the easiest swap is in a 4 cylinder ranger (fuel injected pre '95 easiest) without A/C, you'll just have to get exhaust done and notch the heater box along with wiring as far as custom stuff goes.

 

[Insanejughead]

I don't know if I'm the only one who thinks this way, but every time I hear about someone else wanting to do the turbo 2.3 swap into their daily driver, I get butterflies in my stomach and chills down my spine.


It's a hell of an upgrade!


Btw, Scotts90ranger is a hell of a guy to listen to about this turbo stuff. I back up everything he says, to the letter!

 

[scotts90ranger]

true, if it's your only vehicle, I wouldn't suggest it, I thought I knew everything I needed to know to do the swap in a weekend or two, I started thanksgiving weekend two years ago and finished on new years day working on it every weekend, was stuck driving my brothers car during that time

 

[flyinbikes]

Ok there has been a change of plans. I have been talking to some mechanic friends of mine and have decided to find a cheap 1st or 2nd gen truck. Swap it then make that my DD. So with that being said what truck should I hunt for ranger XLT or base ECT all opinions welcome.

Thanks again
Jonathan

 

[scotts90ranger]

like I said, as long as it's a 4 cylinder ranger the swap is fairly straight forward just modify the stock wiring harness to work with the turbo engine (only a few wires). The easiest swap wiring wise will be '86-88 since you don't have to deal with the DIS, but you can convert to DIS on the turbo engine with enough time and research (isn't all that hard, I can help you through that part I just haven't figured out how to get the tach to work on mine). I'm partial to the second gen trucks, I like the dash and front end better... keeping air conditioning on the truck requires a header, there's a couple out there the one from turborangerforums is best I hear, so a non A/C truck is easier...

 

[Insanejughead]

Scotts90 has it right.

Here's what would be best for you to look for:

'86-87 Rangers will have a fuel injection w/ distributor setup and therefore make it easier (but not much) to swap the turbo motor into, since all turbo 2.3L's were distributor'ed stock.

'88 Ranger 2.3's were the first year that Ford put the distributor-less ignition system in these trucks. (I could be wrong, but everywhere I've looked online for the history of these trucks say that '88 was the first year for distributor-less 2.3L's and the last year of the 2.0L, which still was using a carburetor.)

The 2.3L distributor-less ignition motor has a roller cam. This is highly recommended to get, but not necessary.

(Btw, '83-88 2.0L's were all carbureted, as were the '83-85 2.3L's)

'89-94 are all the same mechanically (engine and suspension wise), so that allows you to simply choose which body style you like better. The dash is the same for all of those years too...

Be sure to keep all the parts of your motor to motors built before '94. Motors after that had different journal sizes for the cam and crank. I don't know the full specs on all of that because I haven't had to worry about it since all of my 2.3 stuff is pre-'94.



Scott, did I leave anything out?

 

[scotts90ranger]

actually, you have a few years wrong.

'89 was the first year of DIS, it changed with the body style. I believe the roller cam started in '87 or '88 and I would suggest to use it, I did on mine... while you're there change valve seals and lash adjusters. 2.0L's were all carbed and they made them through '90 in Canada so they are out there... and I believe the small journal crankshaft started in '89, the rods on ALL 2.0/2.3's are the same be them turbo or N/A.

 

[flyinbikes]

Ok will i start finding a truck for the swap. If anybody know of a first gen single cab in the campbellsville or louisville Ky area please let me know. I will keep you all up to date on my progress. Thanks for all your help and information.

Jonathan