Quick power out of a 2.9???

[jaymegriffiths]

Thanks for all your info! im going to stick with the 2.9 untill i can afford a 302, or maybe just buy a bigger truck. it's become apperant to my stubborn self that serious 2.9 mods are not budget wise. Anybody wanna tell me why it's impossible that i do a 302 swap in a 4x4? Because i'm thinking that might be fun.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

who said its impossible to do a 302 swap on a 4x4? its been done dozens of times.

 

[Gotta_gofast]

Yea, a 4x4 swap is just as easy, provided you have a 4.0L equipped 4x4 truck. The axles will be strong enough and what makes a 4x4 super easy is the fact that a body lift makes a WORLD difference when it comes to clearances and fitting with the 302. No firewall or transmission hump "persuasion" and little or no heater/AC box issues. If you opt for aluminum heads, you will shave 45-50lbs off the V8, which means no added weight upfront to sag the suspension compared to the 4.0L. If you find a non-4.0L truck, you will have to swap out the 7.5" for an 8.8" and possibly the front TTB if its a D35/D28 hybrid.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

you dont "have" to swap out the 7.5. ford used them sucessfully in mustangs behind 5.0s for a number of years. its not the strongest axle, but if your careful and dont run a huge tire, it'll hold out for a while.

but an 8.8 is definitely a worthwhile upgrade.

 

[Gotta_gofast]

True, it will live longer if its an open carrier, also. Personally, I would never run a 7.5" axle behind a torquey V8. I figure if Ford engineers felt a 4.0L's torque was enough to upgrade to an 8.8" in the ranger, then it makes sense to run an 8.8" behind the V8 in a ranger.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

not necissarily. the main weakness in the 7.5 is the spider gears. running a lunchbox locker will give you better off-road performance and eliminates the weakest part of the differential.

personally, i would still upgrade. im just saying you dont have to in order to put a 302's power to the ground. there was a guy on here that had a 302 power B2 that was running the stock 7.5, D28, and 35" tires but it was a street driven vehicle, had an auto trans, and he didnt do anything to jar the drivetrane.

 

[Gotta_gofast]

Driving habit plays a very BIG role in axle life. lol. Personally, I didn't put a V8 in my truck to drive it like a 2.3L. lol. But, mine is RWD and for street/strip. If I had a small block ford in a lifted 4x4 ranger I don't think I could go through one tank of gas without "testing its limits". Its like the truck is just teasing you. The torque and rumble of all 8 cylinders whispering "beat the F*** outta me!"

 

[jaymegriffiths]

Driving habit plays a very BIG role in axle life. lol. Personally, I didn't put a V8 in my truck to drive it like a 2.3L. lol. But, mine is RWD and for street/strip. If I had a small block ford in a lifted 4x4 ranger I don't think I could go through one tank of gas without "testing its limits". Its like the truck is just teasing you. The torque and rumble of all 8 cylinders whispering "beat the F*** outta me!"

Know how ya feel. thinkin t-case tech would be a mojar roadblock, as well as motor mounts and tranny crossmember. i reaad somewhere that it needs to be moved back something like 3 inches. maybe....

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

use whatever t-case is in the donor vehicle. or, if youd like, there are kits to bolt your factory t-case onto a fullsize transmission.

motor mounts are about the easiest part. you can buy mounts designed for the swap, or you can modify stock v6 mounts to fit.

certain transmissions can be bolted to your factory transmission crossmember. others require some modification to fit. wether or not you have to relocate the crossmember depends on what transmission you use. relocating the crossmember is as hard as drilling new holes and bolting it on.

your making this harder than it has to be. no, a v-8 swap isnt 100% bolt-in...but its not rocket science either. theres a ton of info on such swaps in the tech library and on the web. its been done over and over again and its very straightforward.

if you dont want to go through the "hassle" of swapping the engine, then turbo the 2.9. if you dont want to do that, change your gearing and drive it like it is. horsepower isnt cheap or easy...you have to work to get it. there are no bolt-on mods or bolt-in engine swaps that will give you noticeable improvements in power. if you dont want to do the work, leave it alone.

im sorry if i sound snappy. you just sound like you want everything, but dont want to do the work...and that just aint gonna happen.

 

[IMenriched]

cheep and horsepower do not belong in the same sentence. there is more ecomonical choices for sure, ussualy involves more time you put into it.

cheepest horse power and quick with ANY car or truck...lasso a train on the way by. Just note once that is done, your ability to to deside where to go is dramatically reduced.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

There used to be a guy here named 351ranger and he ran a D28/7.5 for a looong time under a 351W, and he used it hard, in the dunes, the mud, etc with 35's.

The d28 finally gave out, but it lasted a while, and last i knew the 7.5 was still going strong.

later,
Dustin

 

[jaymegriffiths]

im sorry if i sound snappy. you just sound like you want everything, but dont want to do the work...and that just aint gonna happen.

well thats your opinion. i have absolutely no problem doing work on vehicle, just lack the knowledge to do it. thats how i came across trs. All im trying to do is find answers. SORRY...

 

[Z3CHYD]

THANK YOU!!! finally someone who isn't trying to convince me to do a swap. i will probably try doing something with the exhaust and see whats available as far as a cone filter. some suggested a regear but the thing is revving pretty good at 110 KM/H already, so i dont know.

no problem, i hate it when people tell me to just do a motor swap also lol also mine is geared stock an it handles pretty good, i can rooaasst my tires all i want with my little 2.9 not to mention ive hit 100mph with this bad boy lol (not recomended)

 

[jaymegriffiths]

not to mention ive hit 100mph with this bad boy lol (not recomended)

ya i dont know exactly how fast i got going, but it was more than 140 km/hour. don't know if it was 100 mph, but probably 90... speedo topped out and truck was shaking violently so i slowed down.

 

[Z3CHYD]

ya i dont know exactly how fast i got going, but it was more than 140 km/hour. don't know if it was 100 mph, but probably 90... speedo topped out and truck was shaking violently so i slowed down.

yea the speedometer stops at 85 mph....i had mine back to zero lol that was with stock tires on it, i need a tonneua cover for mine, so makes the truck more "airlined"