Well that was short lived...

[Exploder_Chick]

Poor ranger desided she just couldn't do it any more and is now dead... So that means that a whole lotta crap needs to be fixed now.
1) Starter needs replaced
2) I can now put the whole headset on
3) New fuel pump as uhm... I hate guessing when my fuel is low lol.
4) New tires and eventually matching rims.

I may take pics of it today since I have nothing else better to do since it's dead and I can't drive it. If I had access and money for a new motor I think I'd jump on that... One question...

How much work is it to put a 4l motor in it? it has a 5 spd trans... that uhm... will need replaced sooner than later lol.

 

[r1hatman]

With the right tools it shouldn't be too hard. Do you have access to a cherry picker and motor stand? You would need a wiring harness from the new motor and try to get the tranny with it so you can just drop it in. I've seen them on CraigsList a lot.

 

[Exploder_Chick]

With the right tools it shouldn't be too hard. Do you have access to a cherry picker and motor stand? You would need a wiring harness from the new motor and try to get the tranny with it so you can just drop it in. I've seen them on CraigsList a lot.

I think my question is, does it just go in without any major modifications? I have the cherry picker, and motor stand. My bf got rid of his S13 motor so now it's clear for my use. I just don't want to have to do more than I am capable of. Maybe I should just sell the whole thing and get myself a purple explorer again, haha.

 

[strvger]

mods should be relatively few and rather easily accomplished. best bet would be to find a complete donor vehicle. you'd be using the engine and tranny, complete wiring harness, dash, and 'puter. as an added bonus, you could also replace your small 7.5 axle with the much better 8.8 with disc brakes if you get an explorer chassis for your build. there's tons of good info here in the forums as well as in the tech library. those should answer at least 99% of your questions and also let you decide if you have the skills and tools to get the job done. i'm thinking between you and the bf, you will be able to do it without too many problems really. good luck, and post pics of your build if you can.

 

[heptofite]

why would you have to replace the dash?

 

[strvger]

difference in all the gauges, switches, etc., between the 88 2.9 and a much newer 4.0. haven't seen that swap that didn't need dash work done along with it.

 

[adsm08]

why would you have to replace the dash?

Because it's far easier to just throw a 2nd gen dash in than to do the wire work to make a 4.0 run and have all the gauges work right for a 1st gen.

Not necessary, but much less thought involved.

 

[heptofite]

if you can't make a 4.0 work with a first gen dash, you're clearly doing it wrong.

the speedo and odometer are purely mechanical, the only thing i can even remotely see as being a problem is the tach, and that's easy enough to calibrate out.

lets face it, the first gen dash isn't exactly swimming in instrumentation.

 

[Ranger Kip]

well, if there is 2 ways of doing it right, how are you doing it wrong with the second way of doing it right?

 

[adsm08]

if you can't make a 4.0 work with a first gen dash, you're clearly doing it wrong.

the speedo and odometer are purely mechanical, the only thing i can even remotely see as being a problem is the tach, and that's easy enough to calibrate out.

lets face it, the first gen dash isn't exactly swimming in instrumentation.

Fuel gauge operates in a different ohm range. A lot of people switch to a 4.0 fuel pump along with their engine swap. That sender operates in a different range and so the 1st gen fuel gauge will always read empty (or full, i don't remember which).

 

[necessaryevil]

if you decide to drop in the 2.9l pm me i got one for sale, im around salem, or.

 

[Exploder_Chick]

Well I started the tear down... I'm a little scared of what I'll find... I'm hoping that once we get to the heads, I won't find any rust. Right now I got the aluminum plenum off and can see into the intake. That was a PITA as I can't believe the way Ford though it was a great idea to run millions of wires through everything... UH... it's going to be a long process as I don't have the technical knowledge and my bf is usually at work 8-5 so I'm doing it by myself until he gets home.
Gawd it's soooo dirty and not takin care of. Oil everywhere. Time to invest in some rubber gloves. It's pissing me off so badly. I was already in a bad mood starting it and then the piles of effing dog crap everywhere attracted a million flies and it smelt HORRIBLE. I need to push it somewhere else... I hate dogs... I'd pick it up but with 9 dogs... it will be back QUICK... FML....

Necessaryevil, I may need that motor. What are you askin' for it?

 

[Ranger Dave (B25)]

If you hate dogs, why are there 9?

 

[gwaii]

whenever i've put a 4.0 into a 1st gen efi,i've used the original pump,and the original instruments.the wiring can be set up to plug into the 2.9 engine compartment harness with a little thought,as the 4.0 harness is fairly self contained.you will have the oil pressure(white/red stripe) and temp(red/white stripe) wires that will work with the original guages,as will the tach feed(tan/yellow stripe on the 4.0,green on the 2.9).use the y-pipe and cat with the o2 sensors from the 4.0 and tie into the rest of the 2.9 exhaust.otherwise,all you need input from is a switched ignition lead(red/green stripe),start lead(red/blue stripe),and ground.mounts bolt up,and it will bolt up to your trans.

 

[necessaryevil]

oh i dont know, i was kind of thinking around 300-350 or maybe trade for a nice set of 31s