need some help on planing this out

[millermayhem]

I am in the planning stages for my 84 B2. I am all over the map so bear with me. first the truck. It has a tired 2.8 and a sturdy c5 tranny attached to it. The 4wd works in low, but jumps out of gear in 4 high. I think it may be the shifter is out of wack. My area sees snow but it isn't that much and the roads are cleared quickly. I love camping but really havent needed the 4wd for my usage of the truck. I will say that it is nice to have it though.

A little bird told me that I should look at getting a 2.3 to replace the 2.8. looking at ranger 2.3 4wd vs the 2.8 4wd rangers, fuel economy based off of fueleconomy.gov is this....

1985 ranger

2.3 manual: 21City / 26 HWY
2.8 manual 17 City / 21 HWY
2.8 auto 15 City / 20 HWY

1985 B2

2.8 auto 14 city / 19 HWY
2.8 manual 15 city / 19 HWY

I have found a 85 RWD Ranger 2.3 with the manual tranny at a wreckers. You see where this is going. If I decide to go with the 2.3, could I use the tranny or will I need to find a different tranny. our chart : http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/ManualTransmission.html does not state any differences in the Toyo koyogo units other than a 5th gear OD. and RWD and 4WD are grouped the same. So I am not sure of any difference in length, output shaft, ect...

I would like to keep the 4wd, it is good insurance and only drops the mpg by 1. but I am not against dropping the 4wd for the 2wd. This may make a good parts swap for someone in the northwest. If you are looking to convert.

any ideas. and no I dont want a v8.

thanks

Richard