engine swap, 2wd-4x4 need help

[knapp95]

I have a 1992 2.3l ranger that is 2wd completely stock with a manual transmission. I have found a donor truck that is a 1985 2.8l ranger that is 4x4. will the engine easily mount and can the 4x4 be swapped over to my truck? also is there a difference in the rear ends?

 

[bobbywalter]

I have a 1992 2.3l ranger that is 2wd completely stock with a manual transmission. I have found a donor truck that is a 1985 2.8l ranger that is 4x4. will the engine easily mount and can the 4x4 be swapped over to my truck? also is there a difference in the rear ends?

your 2.3 is blown??


is it a short bed or long bed? is the donor the same style?


your better off swapping frames if you have to ask. on these trucks the engine cross members are different and swapping it from one chassis to another takes some medium to top level shade tree mechanic capacity. but it is possible none the less.

i dont think i would trade a decent running 2.3 for a 2.8 engine.

i would not swap a dana 28 over a jeep dana 30 either into a decent 2wd chassis.


if i found myself in this scenario i would get a 4x4 trans and t case(say fromthe 2.8 donor) and swap my bell to it, go to ruff stuff and buy some diy jeep long arms and steering and track bar componants and swap a jeep d30 or d44 into it with an eye to a turbo at some point. i could do this incrementally as time and money allowed and end up with a bad ass 4x4. trade of the donor 4x4 carcass and 2.8 truck to get the d30 and other parts...

but that is me.

 

[cp2295]

I completely agree with bobby, swap a jeep d30 under your front end and find an m5od for a 2.3 that had 4x4, and take the TCase while you're in there.