To replace or upgrade?

[WhiteTrashDoc]

OK, first off, I have an 84 Ranger 4x4 2.8 stick shift and enough lift to easily clear 36's (both body and suspension). I am not sure what all has been done to the vehicle, I bought it from a dealership this way. Anyway, after an unknown number of years, the 2.8 finally crapped the bed. And now I am looking to put something else in it. I have looked around on the internet and can't find another 2.8 for under $1,200. This seems high to me, but I know the 2.8 was only offered in the 83-85 Rangers, 84-86 BIIs, and I believe an 86 minivan. Plus, the 2.8 was always a bit small for turning the 36's. I have been looking for about a year to try and find another in my area for sale with no luck. And now I am running out of time. The place I have it parked is about to be sold, so I need to get it running and legal again before I can bring it home. I only use it primarily for off roading. I need to either swap in something different, which I have always hoped to drop in a 351W. But it is time to do something soon and I have limited funds. Is there anyplace you know of that I can get a cheaper 2.8 or is their another swap that is more feasible that won't break me. I only have about $1500 to spend and don't really want to spend it all on another 2.8 and have it still underpowered. However, if I can get another 2.8 for a few hundred bucks, it may be worth it to just get it up and running again. And I could save for another to something bigger later on down the line when I have more funds. Oh yeah and BTW I am located around Dallas, Texas.

 

[metalmacguyver]

You could swap in a 4.0. There have been alot of people that have done this swap.

 

[Capt Jay]

The 302 is a very easy swap in those years. The 351 is a bit wider and thus a little more difficult. The 302 is very capable and you can reuse a lot that is under the hood. The new ignition module plugs right in where the 6 banger box get removed from. A little modification to the heater box and some new mounts ( just relocate the 302 mounts). My last one took two days. There is plenty of info on the sight on how to do it. If you need any advise or help, if you decide to do it, just drop me a note and I can help.

 

[Dan B.]

I just sold a 2.8L for $250...too bad.

 

[WhiteTrashDoc]

On average how much is it to drop in a 302? Aside from buying the motor. I can get my hands on a long block from a mustang. I know I will need a new oil pan, motor mounts, radiator, tranny and T case, which will lead to new drive shafts. I was planning on doing the swap later, but now I need to get it running. And I planned on swapping out the d28 and 7.5 when I did the swap too, but I can't afford it right now. I reckon I can lose the front drive shaft, and the t case for now. And just have it 2 wheel drive until I can afford everything else. But honestly, I doubt I will ever drive it that way, except to move it. I only will use it for off roading anyways, but not in 2 wheel drive. And I already have a Mustang with a 5.0 in it to tool around in. But it will be a stopping point until I get some more money down the road.

 

[Dan B.]

I did my inital swap on a 2wd for $1300...that involved a donor, taking what I needed and selling off the rest, homemade mounts, etc, etc. The biggest $$ was $350 for the custom 5 core rad and $200 for dual pipes. The rest was misc parts. I went a little above and beyond by narrowing a rear for it and installing a custom rear suspension.....and that was all included in the $1300.

With much better web access to info and variety of parts...I would have done some things different and saved some $$.

 

[michowski]

I would swap in the 302. My dad has one in his new f150 and that motor is awesome. Blows my 3.0 away in gas mileage and power. Now I cant wait for something to happen were he has to get rid of the truck so I can take out the motor, computer, wireharness and start swapping over .

 

[Capt Jay]

Junk yard engine-$150 ( find of the century )
Pontiac radiator, used-$20 ( mounted in the bed )
Headers-$150 (old maverick manifolds work)
Electric fans, used-$20
Electric fuel pump-@20
New bell housing, flex plate and torque converter-$50 ( modified a c-5 )
Remainder of the exhaust-$100
1.25" electrical conduit for the cooling hoses-$20

That what it cost to do the basic swap. It worked well until I toasted the tranny and axles several times. The first one took about 4-5 days

Axle swaps-$100
Extremely modified c-4-$750