need some help If someone has done this

[cyantis24]

I have a 1988 Ranger ext cab 4x4 it has the terrible 2.9L v6 I have a friend who has a 4.0L Exploder. I would love to swap them out with the least amount of trouble possible. Any info would be appreciated greatly.

 

[kunar]

look around my friend, it has been covered dozens of times

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/4L_Conversion.html
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/4L_Conversion2.htm
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=229
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30233
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29420
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27570
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27309
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28188
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25585
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25402
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22150
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24499
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24459
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20826
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20083

 

[86ford]

I have a 1988 Ranger ext cab 4x4 it has the terrible 2.9L v6 I have a friend who has a 4.0L Exploder. I would love to swap them out with the least amount of trouble possible. Any info would be appreciated greatly.

you are slightly misguided. the 2.9 is the predecessor of the modern 4.0. the "terrible" 2.9 has served myself and many others very well. i do agree the 4.0 is a better motor is some ways. it HEAVILY depends on what year 4liter your friend has.

86

 

[almostclueless]

The 2.9 is perfectly decent motor in my experience.

 

[PaleBlue90]

you are slightly misguided. the 2.9 is the predecessor of the modern 4.0. the "terrible" 2.9 has served myself and many others very well. i do agree the 4.0 is a better motor is some ways. it HEAVILY depends on what year 4liter your friend has.

86

The 2.9 is perfectly decent motor in my experience.

+1 my 2.9 has taken alot of abuse

 

[Sunk]

The 2.9 is a decent motor for what it is, but as AllanD said somewhere everybody wishes it were more like the 4.0. For similar mileage you could have a lot more power and aftermarket support with a 4.0.

As kunar pointed out, it's time to start reading.

 

[low_five]

take that back about 2.9s! 2.9s are good little motors. I love my 2.9s

 

[cocoasranger]

take that back about 2.9s! 2.9s are good little motors. I love my 2.9s

+1

 

[BlackBII]

I have loved my 2.9, but, the 4.0 will always be better.

Like mentioned before, read around, it has been done tons of times, there is a lot of info on this site along with others.

You have an '88, which might still have the first gen wiring, making the job a little 'funner'
There are a lot of guys that have done a 4.0 swaps in a first gen, Ive only done second gens.

 

[kunar]

the 2.9 is a great engine. the only real problem it has is the heads that are prone to cracking. my 2.9 has 220k miles on it now and still runs fine. i've got a 4.0 that will be swapped in sooner or later, but i'm in no rush

 

[cyantis24]

i guess i should have said I had almost 200k on my 2.9L never had been touched. I put it through hell and back finally blew the head gasket. Thought i could just rebuild the top end only, it lasted just barely two months and chucked the bottom end possibly the cylinder that blew out before. Believe it or not still have the original heads on it and they are in great shape. Had the local performance engine man check them out, nothing wrong. just would like a little more power in my truck thats all