Looking to convert.

[adsm08]

I am prepping to do a 4.0 SOHC in my 87 right now. I am gonna build a custom injector harness to plug it right into a 94 Explorer. Just have to repin a few things to put it to batch-fire injection.

 

[adsm08]

Please don't worry about me getting offended. No bad blood here. I feel like you're one of the loudest 3.0 critics around here, just as I am usually one of the more vocal supporters. You see the 3.0 in a pretty negative light, and I see it less so. The truth is probably somewhere in between as usual. Everybody has their opinions and I'm cool with that.

The 3.0 gets bagged on quite a bit, usually by people with little or no experience with the engine (I know that's not you)and that's due mostly to it's reputation. The 3.0 obviously isn't your favorite, but that also doesn't mean it's without it's merits.

Honestly, I love the 3.0. Especially the Duratec. It was a great engine for its original applications. But everything about that engine is wrong in a longitudinal application, let alone a pickup.

The location of the starter and oil filter were picked with a transverse mounting in mind, making certain basic services a pain in a Ranger. The power curve is all wrong for a truck, but good for a sedan.

It's the same issues I have with a 4-cyl in a truck. Heck, the only reason I don't rant and rave about the very concept of a 3.5 (let alone a 2.7) in an F-150 is because at least those engines have a pair of turbos strapped to them.

 

[gungfudan]

i would honestly take a 2.9l over a 3.0 any day..... throw a nice 4.0 radiator and beefier 4.0 a4ld behind it with a colder thermostat to keep it cool and that is a reliable engine... worst case scenario the heads crack and a 4.0 will bolt right into its place...

about the only thing i will say about the 3.0 is it is reliable... gutless but reliable... i have seen a few abused over the years by other people that just couldn't kill them. last guy i knew took his stock ranger out offroading and blew 1st gear out of it(automatic) and ran that thing another year or 2 with no 1st gear.(would start it in second). and he was one of those people that wouldn't maintain it, the rear brakes exploded on it, and he just capped them off at the brake booster and ran front brakes everywhere.


anther nice thing with the 4.0, is the OHV ecu will Run the 4.0 SOHC.....
so you can run the newer 4.0 with 205hp(not recommended with the A4ld) with a m50d manual and have a pretty stout/quick truck....

So a 2.9L is what you are telling me I might have the engine for free. my dad has a early 80s model ranger at the house that has a 6cyl in it I am going to ask him about it. The only thing is the tranny is crap so I would have to find one.

 

[gungfudan]

What 6cyl engine came in an 85' Ranger. I know it has a 4 barrel carb. I think it is the 2.8 that is in the one my dad has. What do ya'll think about that engine?

 

[alaskan155]

What 6cyl engine came in an 85' Ranger. I know it has a 4 barrel carb. I think it is the 2.8 that is in the one my dad has. What do ya'll think about that engine?

its old ... i think they had 2bbl carbs......will never pass emmisions in your 88...

still based off the 2.9/4.0 family of engines.....

 

[gungfudan]

its old ... i think they had 2bbl carbs......will never pass emmisions in your 88...

still based off the 2.9/4.0 family of engines.....

We don't have emission laws in Mississippi. So does that mean it is not worth me putting my time into it?

 

[alaskan155]

What is the easiest way to do this my 2.0 crapped out after the second rebuild and I am kind of fed up with the Lima.

find a 2wd donor explorer from 91-94, use some 2wd ranger mounts for the frame side and drop it in, then if you swap the dash to the new style(i honestly like it better than the 88 dash) and about 90% of it will be plug and play. the other 10% will be the fuel tank and tail lights if you go this route.


if you want it to be really easy, find a up to 88- 97 regular cab ranger(like yours) with a toasted body and a couple buddies and just drop yours on and fab up some bumper mounts then you already have the engine mounted, the required fuel tank with high pressure pump. etc. then its just wiring to your cab.

there is more than 1 way to skin a cat

 

[alaskan155]

We don't have emission laws in Mississippi. So does that mean it is not worth me putting my time into it?

it would be the easiest... but to me no..... you never know what your state is going to do 5 years down the road or where life is going to take you. so its always a gamble...

i live in Northern colorado and they just enacted emissions testing here 3 or 4 years ago screwing alot of people.

but there is a good part on the 2.8 if it is a auto..... should be a c5, so you can pickup up a torque converter, c4 throttle body, and bell housing and she will be ready for a 302 v8(minus engine mounts) with a c4/c5 hybrid transmission(3 speed no overdrive)