What motor to drop in for beater '90 truck?

[Enzo_Guy]

A friend finally popped his original 2.9L and now needs a new motor. His truck is a Supercab automatic that I'm pretty sure is 2WD and I think 3.73 gears were the norm for that drivetrain combination. The truck is NOT his daily driver and it's primarily used for dump runs, moving furniture, taking a lawn mower home, or as a backup vehicle while his daily is in the shop. No trailers and 750lbs or so is about all this truck would ever see. Since I work commercial sales for a large auto parts company I got on the phone and found a reman 2.9L V6 lists for about $1650. My previous truck was a '90 2.9L 2WD before the 2.3 turbo swap so I tossed out the idea of putting the 4-banger (naturally aspirated) in it instead. Phone call yields roughly a $1475 list price for a reman 2.3L motor. Cheaper motor and better fuel mileage sound great to him, he didn't seem concerned about it having less power.

My experience going from 2.9 to 2.3 was a totally different animal: T-bird TC T5, 3.45 gears, turbo, etc. I told him I'd look into it to find what would be different. My main concern is, from what I remember, I don't think the 2.9L A4LD bolts up to the 4-cylinder which means either he'll need an adapter, another automatic transmission, or he's swapping in a 5-speed. I told him that I'd personally go 4-banger for a cheap and easy swap an if he needs a transmission go with a 5-speed manual for better power and gas mileage.

Is a 2.3 swap a cheaper alternative? What else besides the trans and computer need to also be changed? Would he be better off just sticking with a 2.9L? Are remanufactured 2.9 engines worth dropping money on at all? Should he just scrap it and buy a new one?

 

[kryptonitecb]

I don't know about the 2.9 L but my 4.0 is awesome. Lots of power and if you're going through all the hassle of a different engine you could always do a 302. Then he would have no trouble pulling loads.

A reman 2.3 would be the cheapest way to go. Direct drop in with no hassle.

Sent from the road while ignoring traffic

 

[Snoranger]

The cheapest route would be to drop in another 2.9l. No hassles, no changes.

 

[JoshT]

The cheapest route would be to drop in another 2.9l. No hassles, no changes.

+1

Given his uses 2.9L would be best route. By the time you add all the other parts needed for the 2.3L you would probably be cheaper with the 2.9L

 

[Thed]

302!!! You'd already be half-way there. The swap can be done for less than a grand if you are careful with the $$$

 

[cody93]

eh, id just go with the 2.9 to save you some hassles. aslong as its a reputitable reman engine...

 

[hoosier1104]

One that runs. Just saying.

2.9 since that is what was already in it or 5.0 for the little extra hp. Your choice.

 

[jhammel85]

I vote for another 2.9. Drop it in and go. 2.9's are fine if well cared for.

 

[holyford86]

For a beater truck, another 2.9 would be the most cost effective route, second most cost effective is a 4.0 as it will use the same exhaust, engine mounts, radiator, transmission, etc. Pull the motor out of a '90 and the engine wiring harness will also be plug and play.

 

[Andy D]

Wabbout a JY 2.9 ?

 

[944x4]

I love my 4.0 , BUT the 2.3 turbo in my 87 turbo coupe is a pretty awesome motor . I guess i get the best of both non v8 worlds lol. either one would be a great swap in .

 

[Enzo_Guy]

I don't know about the 2.9 L but my 4.0 is awesome. Lots of power and if you're going through all the hassle of a different engine you could always do a 302. Then he would have no trouble pulling loads.

A reman 2.3 would be the cheapest way to go. Direct drop in with no hassle.

Sent from the road while ignoring traffic

302 is out of the question, he just wants a beater for hauling trash and is more concerned with MPG than power. He's interested in the cheapest and most plug-and-play swap. The 2.3 turbo was great for me but he isn't looking to get that involved, he'd be sticking to the standard 2.3 and he'd lean more towards the 4-cylinder fuel economy versus going through the process for a 4.0L with power he doesn't need.

 

[kryptonitecb]

I don't know about the 2.9 L but my 4.0 is awesome. Lots of power and if you're going through all the hassle of a different engine you could always do a 302. Then he would have no trouble pulling loads.

A reman 2.9 would be the cheapest way to go. Direct drop in with no hassle.

Edit(I meant to put 2.9 not 2.3)
Sent from the road while ignoring traffic

Sent from the road while ignoring traffic

 

[adsm08]

6.0l

 

[mk42gunner]

Cheapest and easiest way is to buy another old truck. As long as he isn't too concerned about looks; there are plenty of first and second generation Rangers on Craigslist or in the wantads for $1500 or less.

Otherwise, for his uses; I would go with a used 2.9 for a couple of hundred dollars.

Robert