My 4.0 swap

[AZFX4]

Ok after a lot of research I have decided to tackle the 4.0 swap. I found a 91 explorer that runs with 95k on the odo. It is an auto and 4x4 so should be a perfect donor for my 1990 B2. Im also going to be doing an SAS to full width axles front and rear. Im going to try and document it throughout the process. Im sure Ill also be asking questions to those of you who have been there before. Any advice is welcome. Thanks

 

[BlackBII]

Sweet.

Good luck. Should be easy. Let us know if you have any problems.

 

[AllanD]

Get the engine in and running first.

Tackle the SAS as a completely seperate operation only after you've driven the truck with the 4.0.

AD

 

[AZFX4]

Get the engine in and running first.

Tackle the SAS as a completely seperate operation only after you've driven the truck with the 4.0.

AD

Why is that? I am planning on pulling the whole front clip off and pulling the motor. Then doing the SAS while I have EASY access to the frame and everything. Then I was going to drop the motor in.

 

[trail B2]

I don't know if you plan to change the dash or not it's the easiest way.Take the time to run the motor make sure it doesn't miss check the dash to see if everything works that way you can tell if any problem is new or already there.

Pulling the front clip isn't much of an advantage for a motor swap if you do conversions together it makes diagnosing the created bugs much more difficult.

 

[ldbill39]

Front Clip

I agree, pulling the front clip isn't going to be a advantage. The B2's were built like a unibody mounted on a truck frame. The inner fender wells and core support are welded to the body.

 

[mjonesjr]

Do one project at a time as Allan suggested. This way you don't get items mixed up between projects.

 

[AZFX4]

Well I am planning on doing one at a time (SAS then Motor) The reason for pulling the clip is not for the motor swap but for the SAS. I will need to weld a trac bar bracket and new coil spring mounts to the frame. This will be a lot easier without fenders and a motor in the way.

I wasnt going to swap the dash as I assumed it was the same from a 1990 to 91?

 

[4.0B2]

if you have the 2nd b2 there is no dash swap required

and in my case i didn't swap in the ex's dash in my 1st gen, i like the 1st gen dash better anyways...

but good luck, take your time and do it right. the fenders out of the way is not a bad idea... i wouldn't cut off the inner structure work stuff but..

 

[AZFX4]

if you have the 2nd b2 there is no dash swap required

and in my case i didn't swap in the ex's dash in my 1st gen, i like the 1st gen dash better anyways...

but good luck, take your time and do it right. the fenders out of the way is not a bad idea... i wouldn't cut off the inner structure work stuff but..

Yeah I have the GEN2 B2 So the dash should be the same as the 91 Exp. Although my dash is a little beat up so maybe I will....

I wasnt aware the dog house on the B2 was welded to the frame that might change things for me.

 

[4.0B2]

I wasnt aware the dog house on the B2 was welded to the frame that might change things for me.

what?

 

[AZFX4]

I agree, pulling the front clip isn't going to be a advantage. The B2's were built like a unibody mounted on a truck frame. The inner fender wells and core support are welded to the body.

Thats what he ^ Says anyway...

 

[4.0B2]

I agree, pulling the front clip isn't going to be a advantage. The B2's were built like a unibody mounted on a truck frame. The inner fender wells and core support are welded to the body.

I wasnt aware the dog house on the B2 was welded to the frame that might change things for me.

body... NOT frame... or am i reading it wrong

 

[AZFX4]

IDK not sure what he means either...I know the fenders come off. Im not sure why It would be different from any other vehicle...

 

[TexCaliBII]

The core support and inner fender area are a complete unit welded to the body shell at the firewall. Taking the fenders off for suspension work is defintely the way to go, it's what I did anyway and I now pull the inner fender liner whenever I do plugs on the motor, way worth the effort IMO.