New to The Ranger Station

[85BlackDragon]

Hello everybody, I'm new to Rangers and found this awesome looking forum hoping to learn what if can/need. My name is Tyler, I'm in the SoCal area and just got a 97 ranger, 2.3 5sp xlt. So far the truck runs really well but I have an opportunity to get the 4cyl from the 04 ranger with only 5k for $500 and I was curious if that's a straight swap or what it would take to put in my truck. Any other tips/pointers I'm all ears! Thanks!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bmerr98]

Welcome to TRS, Tyler! I'm not the guy to advise on your proposed swap, but there are several ASE certified techs on the forums who probably can. You'll find lots of helpful info in the Tech section as well.

 

[stuntsunltd.]

Welcome

Welcome to the forum blackdragon. While I cant personally provide any info on your engine swap I can recomend you take a look at the tech articles tab on here, an awesome resource. There are quite a few techs on here as was mentioned previously, one in particular ( adsm08 ) if my memory serves me correctly is a Ford specific tech and seems an invaulable source of info. If you still need any info thereafter message the admins and they should be able to put you in contact with the right people to get questions answered.

 

[85BlackDragon]

Awesome! Thanks a lot, I appreciate the help. I'll glued to my phone and laptop for the next few days reading the threads. Thanks again


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Mark_88]

Welcome to TRS...

Although I am no more tech savy than anyone who replied, I do know that it is not a direct swap...they changed the 2.3 Lima engine (like the one in your 97) to a 2.5 stroked version in 1998 and then around 2001 they changed again to the new 2.3 that produced 140 HP stock...this was a whole different engine that will no bolt directly to the older 2.3/2.5 transmission...

But we have members who did swap the entire 2.3 engine and drive train into a Ranger with good success...

 

[XLTsplash]

I would stick with your cast iron 2.3L , like they said the 04 2.3L is a completely different 2.3L and even if you did all of the work to make the swap you would have a hard time in CA with the smog test.

 

[85BlackDragon]

Thanks for the info. Looks like I'll be staying stock. Even with 187k, the truck runs beautifully!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk