HELP= what would you do?

[mkpecor]

why do you need to change dashes and steering colums? cant you just put the motor in and be good. thanks mike

 

[rickcdewitt]

the gen 2 trucks have a different power distribution setup.if you use the dash(and all the harnesses in the engine bay) from the donor you don't need to figure out as many wires.

no reason why you coulden't just figure out what circuits the 4.0l needs to run and splice in the right power and grounds on your truck though.probably less work but more involved as far as knowing exactly what everything does and how to make it work with the early layout.

i did the gen 2 front clip and dash swap on the 88 long bed with a 6" skykracker lift i had.people would argue with me when i told them it was an 88.

those swampers like a little wheel speed to clear the mud sometimes.the 2.9 was a great engine but the 4.0 cures you of feeling like you don't quite have what it takes to power out without flogging on it like a 4 banger.

and you can actually accelerate and pass in 5th gear

 

[MAKG]

if the bottom end has 168k it probabley needs to be freshened.. check you compression in all the other cylinders but the bad one.. do an average.. you at least need a new timing set. they last usually 125k.. at 170 k you probably got a nice ridge but will have to check once it's apart..

No, 2.9L bottom ends that have had proper oil changes and have been taken care of last TWICE that. At least. Including the timing set; it's not a 1970 SBC.

As far as heads goes.. why put on a junk yard special.. by the time you go thru them new valves. springs etc.. you can have 200-300 bucks and then have to pay for magnfluxing them just to make sure..

Umm, why the HELL don't you Magnaflux it BEFORE putting new hardware on? You can very easily Magnaflux bare castings.