I swore never again....

[Rick W]

Greetings from Hotlanta.

I’m growing more gray every day, liquidating and downsizing, and swore I’d never buy another vehicle. Well, I didn’t break my word, since a buddy GAVE ME an 87 ranger for my birthday! 87, XLT, short cab, short bed, 2.9v6 “T” code, 4wd. Blown engine block.

this is no show truck, currently in black primer, but straight and solid, almost no rust, great interior, etc, just. Blew the block.

Here’s my question for the Ranger Rangers more experienced than me: I know there was a small 4, big 4, small v6 and then my 2.9v6. I‘d like to get it running for as little money as possible. Will these other 3 engines fit? What about wiring (4vs6)? Will any other engines just swap out without modifications? I don’t want smoke or knocks, but a drip or two won’t kill me.

it seems Sall the aficionados who blew there engines over the years all grabbed the 2.9s to replace them, nothing decent available in scrap world.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

2.9 would be the easiest to set in and get it to run.

4.0 would drop in but take a little more work. There is a lot more donors running around though.

 

[Curious Hound]

A similar 2.9 would be easiest. But any of the other Ranger/Bronco II/Explorer engines will fit with varying degrees if work involved. That gets you choices of 2.0, 2.3, 2.5, 2.8, 2.9, 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0 liters. (I think I got that list right.) Make sure you get the ecu and engine wiring harness from the donor. And then it’s a matter of making sure you have a transmission that fits. Some of the bell housing bolt patterns are unique. Check out our technical section.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I wish someone would give me a clean old ranger for my birthday.

Not many 2.9's left around... many had over heating issues.

4.0L OHV would be perhaps the best bet...

Check the Tech Library for swap info.

And welcome to TRS...

 

[Rick W]

What kind of more work? I’m pretty handy, but I’d rather play with it than work on it....

 

[Uncle Gump]

Look in the Tech Library...

At the top of the page...

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

What's blown on the engine? Promaxx builds a good set of heads, and blocks can be had on the cheap. Have a bare one here that will need machined, but is free if you cover shipping.

 

[Rick W]

Thanks. I found a Match 2.9, 90 day guarantee, but 205,000 miles. & it drove in the scrap yard, wasn’t a wreck (ie good runner?). They want $450 plus core.

good stuff gets eaten up quick in Atlanta with all the growth. If anyone knows a better option/source within a 100-150 miles of Atlanta, I can go get it.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

What kind of more work? I’m pretty handy, but I’d rather play with it than work on it....

Mainly wiring and exhaust.

Engines & Fuel Systems - The Ranger Station

DISCLAIMER: Activities and vehicle modifications appearing or described at The Ranger Station and it’s pages may be potentially dangerous. We do not endorse any such activity for others or recommend it to any particular person – we simply describe the … Continued

www.therangerstation.com

Also keep in mind the trans was intended for a 2.9 not a 4.0 so don't flog it too hard.

 

[Curious Hound]

Thanks. I found a Match 2.9, 90 day guarantee, but 205,000 miles. & it drove in the scrap yard, wasn’t a wreck (ie good runner?). They want $450 plus core.

good stuff gets eaten up quick in Atlanta with all the growth. If anyone knows a better option/source within a 100-150 miles of Atlanta, I can go get it.

Sounds good if you can get it. There are two LKQ u-pull yards here in the Greenville, SC area, right off I-85. You can see their inventory on the website. I’d be willing to go check condition of something for you if needed. That way you wouldn’t have to drive up here and find out someone already took what you need.

 

[Rick W]

I appreciate it all. Coincidentally, I picked up the truck near Greenville in piedmont.

My luck, my mechanic’s wife decided to have their baby 30 early. So I’m on hold for a couple days.

 

[Curious Hound]

I appreciate it all. Coincidentally, I picked up the truck near Greenville in piedmont.

Cool. My soon-to-be-ex-wife still lives in our house in Piedmont. I now live about 30 miles further north in Wellford.

 

[franklin2]

Don't let them casually mention the wiring if you put another size engine in there. Unless you put a carbed engine in it, the wiring can be a real hassle unless you like messing with diagrams and splicing soldering wires.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Don't let them casually mention the wiring if you put another size engine in there. Unless you put a carbed engine in it, the wiring can be a real hassle unless you like messing with diagrams and splicing soldering wires.

EFI to carb can get sketchy too, especially the newer you go.

 

[franklin2]

Here's some 2.9 engines available in Georgia.

1990 Engine Assembly Ford Ranger	2.9,AT	141,259​	A​	W21865	$Call​	Bohanon Auto Parts USA-GA(Rossville) Request_Quote 1-706-866-5203 / 1-888-419-1880 Request_Insurance_Quote	447​
1988 Engine Assembly Ford Ranger	2.9,RWD,PARTS ONLY	​	​	12C478	$Call​	Mitchell's Used Auto Parts USA-GA(Conyers) Request_Quote 1-800-682-9257 1-770-483-4716 Request_Insurance_Quote	457​
1989 Engine Assembly Ford Ranger	ENG BAD PARTS PARTS PARTS	​	​	004801	$Call​	Crest Truck Parts USA-GA(Cartersville) Request_Quote 1-770-382-1595 / 1-800-424-2065 Request_Insurance_Quote	463​
1988 Engine Assembly Ford Bronco II	SEE NOTE	​	​	00015467	$450​	Salvage Hunter USA-GA(Austell) Request_Quote 1-770-943-9979 Request_Insurance_Quote	471​
1988 Engine Assembly Ford Bronco II	MIA/ 11/14/19	​	​	00019026	$Call​	Salvage Hunter USA-GA(Austell) Request_Quote 1-770-943-9979 Request_Insurance_Quote	471​
1990 Engine Assembly Ford Ranger	CORE CORE CORE	​	​	NN0101	$Call​	Bob's Auto Salvage USA-GA(Griffin) E-mail 770-228-4079	487​
1989 Engine Assembly Ford Ranger	2.9L (VIN T, 8th digit, 6-179),2.9L	90,000​	A​	190290	$500​	A and B Auto Salvage USA-GA(Griffin) Request_Quote 770-229-9122 Request_Insurance_Quote	488​
1989 Engine Assembly Ford Bronco II	2.9L,5SP,3/89,4X4,,CK,CK,NOT,WRE CKD	​	​	18G463	$Call​	Gentry and Associates, Inc. USA-GA(Newnan) Request_Quote 1-866-454-7278 Request_Insurance_Quote