What to do, oh what to do.......

[Chevelle Kid]

Ok, so my Bronco II runs fine and drives fine but the motor is a little tired and I beat the snot out of it daily (2.9 takes that beating with stride too) so I'm thinking of replacing it. Now this is my daily driver and I'm pretty happy with the power/torque of it right now but I'm stuck with deciding weather or not I should buy another 2.9 and rebuild it with some custom work to make it a little peppier or buying a 4.0 and doing the whole conversion.

I'm not able to have the truck down for more than a week and I don't have a ton of money but it is there. So should I rebuild a 2.9 or pop in a 4.0?

Ben

 

[Explosive]

I'd say go 4.0

 

[Flash Gordan]

I'll second that.

 

[Clem]

I like the idea of the 4.0, they are easier to come by and are probably going to be around longer than the 2.9, it was only built for 6 years.
But for all out fun, I would do the 2.9.
Then there is the fact that a swap is going to take at least 2 days if you have all the parts and all goes well.
What you gain with the 4.0, 10-15 hp, 25 pound feet of torque, (that may not be exact) and a newer engine.
What you will loose going from the 2.9, a couple hundred rpm's on the top end, (thats what they advertise, in reality a thousand or close to it) and the fact that it will be one out. one in, and no other changes. That does not take into account the new 10" clutch, but it will already be on the engine.
Go with the 4.0.

Ray

 

[RangerFabWorks]

4.0 all the way

WHEN IN DOUT, THROTTLE OUT

 

[PaleBlue90]

id build a 2.9 up. ive had 2 4.0's; one cracked the block, the other threw a rod. my 2.9 never gave me any issues. plus its no rewireing. plus everyone gos the 4.0 route. if it were me id build a 2.9 like this

2.9
.30 over
headwork
cam
4.0 rad for better cooling
4.0 clutch, etc.

 

[Ozwynn]

a polished turd is still a turd. Go with the 4.0L...


and its somehwere in the neighborhood of 55 more ft/lb torque

 

[klogtruck]

4.0 works fine in mine

 

[keifer1122]

id go with 2.9, just for the purpose that if u had to sell in the future. people tend to shy away from anything thats not stock.

 

[trail B2]

The thing about the 4.0 is that the car dosn't struggle anymore driving is much more of a pleasure. It dosn't have much more horsepower but the torque it has equals drivability where the 2.9 dies the 4.0 chugs through routinely.While its true everyone does it they do because it works good.

 

[phatdaddy]

I have never had trouble out of any of my 2.9s in the past but I have never had a 4.0 so I say 2.9(I would go with what you know has worked in the past and in a weeks time it can be done without a lot of mods.

 

[country0001]

I like the power of my 4.0 in my Ranger. I can't wait to put one in my BII. The 2.9 is ok for now, but I haven't heard anything good bout any of them

 

[jims89broncoII]

i have a sohc 4.0 that id love to swap in my BII just need to find a good write up and see what has to be changed. id go with the 4.0 and ditch the 2.9! I dont like my 2.9

 

[BlackBII]

I'd say go 4.0.

Best thing i've ever done to a BII. I dont think I 2.9 is worth monkeying around with.

 

[orfordguy@yahoo.com]

4.0 all the way

i tossed the 2.9 from mine in place of a 4.0, best move i ever made.. ford stat sheets say 30hp, 70 ftlbs torque, 77 cubi inches.. if you have donor rig pull everything label and set aside then next weekend pull all the ranger parts then install all parts from exploder... the interior can be done later so long as you do the colum/dash pedals with the engine swap... finisheed mine a mionth ago... get back to me and i'll send pics and info..