swapping a 2.9L (88) for a 3.8 (92)

[RangerSphinx]

this is my first post so if i put this in the wrong place sorry.
i have a 1988 ranger that has a seized up engine, i don't feel like going through the trouble of doing a rebuild nor do i have the money, but i can get a 3.8L from a 1992 explorer. i know that it can be done but how hard is it going to be and what will i have to do to get it done?

 

[Jspafford]

3.8L?? The explorer came with the 4.0L. It is a very do-able swap. There are quite a few people who've done it. I believe there may even be a write up in the tech library, check out the link at the top of the page.

 

[RangerSphinx]

3.8L?? The explorer came with the 4.0L. It is a very do-able swap. There are quite a few people who've done it. I believe there may even be a write up in the tech library, check out the link at the top of the page.

i'm not postitive on the engine size, i'm just going by what my friend tells me that is in his old explorer. idk

 

[abrush]

It can definetly be done. Regarding how hard will it be.... it all depends on your mechanical knowledge and ability to splice the correct wires together to get it to run. You will want electrical manuals on both vehicles. I did this swap on my 1988 Bronco II and it took me a good month working on it in the evenings.