looking for advice on 92

[MeanTruckzDontUseBowtiez]

Hello,

i bought my son a project truck its a 92 ext cab ranger with the 4.0, at, and manual 4x4. One thing wrong is the headgasket is supposedly blown out, it's losing coolant, and the truck bed is shot. I would also like to update the interior with new carpet or a rubber floor if it's possible. We will be bringing home the truck this weekend.

1) Would it be easier to swap another 4.0 in or put new gaskets on the motor that's in there now? It has 159K. I found a rebuilt 4.0 locally for a grand, the guy said he might consider an offer.

2) I have been looking for 86-92 ranger beds but can't find anything. Will one off a 93 to 96 fit? Seems like those are plentyful in the area. I have done a search for this topic, but only find info for bed liners, toppers or tonneau covers.

thanks in advance for any and all help.

 

[Merrill]

Where are you located? I may have some parts.

 

[MeanTruckzDontUseBowtiez]

what kind of parts do you have? Im in South Dakota.

 

[swynx]

I for one wouldn't pay a grand for a used 4.0

I've bought 3 out of a junkyard for 500. And I always see them online for 300. You can just about buy a brand new 4.0 for that much.

At a grand I would buy an engine rebuild kit and go to town.

Be fine as long as the heads aren't warped

Go to www.car-part.com and find your engine

 

[swynx]

By the way I also bought my 92 with a blown head gasket. With no prior mechanical experience I did the. Swap. These trucks are pretty simple

 

[MeanTruckzDontUseBowtiez]

hey swynx... i have some mechanical abilities but i have never swapped a motor. The used motors i find locally have 180K plus miles when i find them. Did you run into any problems swapping motors? I'll check out that web site, thanks for the reply.

 

[e21pilot]

I just bought a 4.0 in a 92 Ranger with 244K original miles and it is running great. Maybe I will get another 100K on it before it needs a rebuild. There are still good used 4.0 engines out there to be had. I guess it just depends on how the PO to care of them.

ps. I have a spare rust free bed but it is 7' and I'm in California. Good luck with your search.

 

[swynx]

Pretty simple. Hardest part was getting the new engine in and lined up. Make sure you have the fuel line tool. Id replace the rear main. Fly wheel. Clutch all that chatter while your in there. Get a Haynes and USE this site. There is more info here than one knows what to do with. I was 16 at the time and I did the swap. Its nnot to hard.

Fyi my 4.0 has over 300k on it. Still runs great. Previous owner did regular oil changes on it. The result? No leaks and it doesn't smoke. (Other than the rear main tthe shop replaced that is leaking) try a pull and save. I got my replacement 4.0 300 miles away with 60k miles on it 500$. Ran like a top. Family junkyard has a 4.0 with 65k on it. Every explorer had a 4.0 and explorer common so there easy to find.

I'm anxious to tear apart this engine and see what possibly 400k+ miles did tonight with regular maintenance