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is a stock 2.3l worth 4X4


87Jeffrey

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 8, 2012
Messages
54
Vehicle Year
1989
Transmission
Automatic
Is a stock 2,3l worth installing 4wheel drive. if not how much HP would be needed to be worth it
 
HP is simply a mathematical equation - the real question is do you believe your 2.3L is worth 4 wheel drive..

I loved my 2.3L had all sorts of fun.. and it was only stock 2... 1 wheel drive

Consider that purchasing a 4 wheel drive ranger may be more economical and may increase your desire to modify it.
 
In short, no, it is not worth it. There is sooooo much work involved in building a 4wd. You will probably even save money buying a 4wd Ranger as opposed to building one.
 
I was thinking about swaping buying somthing that was 4X4 and swaping the frames out. Wasn't going to build one.
 
If thats what u want DO IT!

I think it would be like a toyota .I had all kinds of people tell me I could'nt put the SWB Ranger body on a FS Bronco chassis.Its my avatar pic and its FUN!:icon_welder: If that 4 to 5 $ a gallon gas is true you'll be glad you did!
 
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Do a 4x4 turbo 2.3 build, and fun is guaranteed, but 2.3 4x4s are becoming rare as pope shit nowadays.
 
actually I was thinkin about a cj frame with the body of a Renault Allaince
 
you could do a frame swap and make it work well , the main issue you'll run into is finding a 4 cyl 4x4 5 speed transmission or swaping the output shaft from a v6 4x4 tranny over to a 4cyl 2wd tranny , 4cyl 4x4 units where and still are rare but they do come up for sale every once and a while , all the other parts should work good togather , a 2.3 should have enough power to propell the truck down the road , you just need to keep in mind that you'll get around the same performance maybe a little worse with hauling the extra weight around ( aka transfer case , front axle and drive shaft) , as a 2.3l 2wd ranger
 
if you enjoy fuel economy, and not getting stuck then yes its worth it. just keep the revs up and gear it properly.

samurais are popular for a reason and i dont think its because they look good.
 
I had a 2.3 in my 87 4x4 5speed (almost done with a 5.0 5speed swap now) and it was a pig until i went from factory 3.55 to 3.73 gears. Got a 5inch lift and some 30's and it was a dog again so found 4.10 geared d28 and 7.5 (had lockers front and rear) not to bad around town then but i still did a lot of highway driving and some hills would have to bring it down to 3rd gear and let her scream just to maintain a decent speed.

Motor was a 92 mustang shortblock with a 86 4spark plug head, duraspark, efi lower intake with a 390cfm holley 2berrel, header, mustang roller cam, msd al6, glasspack and no cat.

My opinion is if you want to be different go for it, get the lowest set of gears available for your axles. Just don't expect to keep up with traffic. Oh and if you can start with a efi truck. Carbs don't like running on angles especially with a stick.

My friends could always tell where i was from the glasspack exhaust and hitting my 6k rev limiter. Music to my ears!
 
ok well Just found out I wont have as much taxes as I tought. mabey come sommer I have it save up thanks for the info. the thing I don't like about the samurais is they don't have a bed. Other then that I like them. also the girls I date love men that drive pickups. like that song goes "I've got an 8ft bed that never has to be made". I could get by with out it. all though the thought of the CJ frame with a renault alliance body I love. it would confuse the cops when they pull me over. I was told that the state of IN you have to use the title of the frame not the body.
 
ok well Just found out I wont have as much taxes as I tought. mabey come sommer I have it save up thanks for the info. the thing I don't like about the samurais is they don't have a bed. Other then that I like them. also the girls I date love men that drive pickups. like that song goes "I've got an 8ft bed that never has to be made". I could get by with out it. all though the thought of the CJ frame with a renault alliance body I love. it would confuse the cops when they pull me over. I was told that the state of IN you have to use the title of the frame not the body.
I'll met all my wifes in traffic jams.
 
samurais do ok for power , considering they only have 63hp from the factory , you just need to down shift when going up hills , you most likely would also have to with a 4cyl 4x4 ranger , or really any fairly new 4cyl 4x4 vehicle , but once you have owned a 4cy 4x4 you get use to it , and just enjoy the ride
 

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