have i got this right?

[Dav]

a 92 4.0 explorer radiator will fit in my 88 2.9 ranger? what about the transmission lines? do they line up correctly? are all year 4.0 explorers 2 row and will they fit? why not a 4.0 ranger?
i want a 2 row radiator 'cause it gets HOT here in tampa. (in texas we called them 'desert radiators')
i read about this today on this site but can't find it again

 

[gaz]

The Ranger radiators are smaller because of it's lighter vehicle weight. Use an Explorer, you will see the difference IMMEDIATELY. My experience has been using the radiator for a 90 - 94 Explorer automatic radiator on both an 87 manual Ranger and automatic 87 BII, drop in, no problem, plug n play . )

Both engines held temp like madmen after I rep!aced their crank driven fan single cores with dual-core and electric fans. You may want to consider an oil cooler too. A little extra cooling potentual goes a long way in the HEAT! This also increases your oil capcity a bit which can also help with cooling and overall wear reduction.)

 

[RonD]

The lower radiator hose is different from 1 row and 2 row
The fan shroud is different for 1 row and 2 row

You can make the 1 row lower hose work but order a 2 row hose for long term use

The 1 row fan shroud is deeper and tabs at bottom are different, it can also be made to work but a pain to get fan clutch back on because there is very little room to work.

 

[fastpakr]

Weird re the fan shroud. I did the swap on my '86 B2 and the shroud went straight over to the new unit.

 

[RonD]

Not on a 1994 4.0l manual trans Ranger, had 1 row changed it to 2 row, shroud was a pain

 

[Paulos]

I put a new '90-94 4.0L auto trans with A/C radiator in my '87 2.9L (with manual trans), and the fan shroud worked fine. I did have to use the upper and lower hoses from the 4.0L and custom cut/fit the upper hose, but I had no issues with the radiator or fan shroud fitting or mounting.

And Rock Auto shows the Explorer and Rangers in the same year range using the same radiators/hoses.

 

[Dav]

thanks for the input. the plan was to stack up parts prior to the engine overhaul so i could do it all at once but spread out the cash outflow. the engine overhaul was based on the old compression tester i have- older than most of you reading this-saying i had 75 psi in 3 cyl, (all i could test). i got a ct from o'reilly and a noid tester and have all injectors getting power and 160 psi on all cyl. so the overhaul is off the plan but the radiator is still on. rear axle swap w/ mustang brakes is scheduled for august (have a spare axle so i set it up so i can just unbolt/bolt and be back to cruising asap)