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Techline
Four Wheeler
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Engine Swap Options For Ranger/Bronco II
Question: I would like to upgrade the 2.9L V-6 in a '90 Ford Bronco II. I have heard that the 4.0L in the '91 Ranger/Explorer is the same motor with a larger bore and stroke. Will a 4.0L bolt in? What about a 289, 302, or 5.0L V-8? What is available for lift kits and suspension upgrades?
Nicholas Valpiani
Columbia City, OR
Answer: I have covered both the 4.0L V-6 swap as well as the V-8 swap several times in the past. In fact, we actually did a story on a 4.0 conversion (Oct. '97).
Yes the 4.0 is a direct descendent of the 2.8, 2.9, and 3.0 V-6, and it makes for a fairly simple engine swap. The V-8 swap is also doable, but a lot more work. With either conversion, a body lift kit is advised as then there is a lot less sheetmetal that has to be modified with a big hammer. You can find out more about the V-8 conversions by logging onto www.therangerstation.com. This site has a lot of great information in reference to Ford Rangers and Bronco IIs.
Leaky YJ Master Cylinder Fix
Question: As to the Techline question concerning a '92 YJ clutch master-cylinder leak (Sept. '08), the only "cure" is to use Girling or Castrol GT fluid. I went through this with my XJ and that worked. It is a Girling-based design (according to a Jeep insider), and the seals will bleed other fluids past them, seeping into the interior. Most people don't notice that it's seeping because they never look down there and it's not enough to drop fluid levels.
Thomas Confer
Salem, OH
Answer: You're so right, as were several other readers who caught this. I learned this trick back in the '70s-that you had to use nothing but Girling or Castrol brake fluid in a Girling-designed cylinder-when I was building sand buggies that used Girling brake cylinders and again found it to be true when I did a V-6 engine swap in the early '80s to a CJ-5 and then reconfirmed it with several Cherokees that I have owned. I have, in fact, mentioned this several times in past "Techline" columns. I am sure it has something to do with the rubber content compatibility with the additives in the fluid. I've been told that the fluid sold by Jeep dealers is also compatible (I would hope so!). My sincere apologies and a "Thanks" to those who caught it.
However, I still think that something is wrong with his linkage that is putting a side load on the cylinder, as even with the wrong fluid, they should last longer than the 2,000 miles he is experiencing.
Needs Better MPG From FJ-40 Cruiser
Question: I own a '73 FJ-40 with a Chevy 350, which is basically stock, with headers, Quadrajet, an SM420 trans, 4.11 gears, 35-inch tires, a winch, and a full 'cage. It's a heavy beast and my gas mileage sucks-8 mpg if I'm very gentle.
What can I do to help? Would Holley Pro-Jection be that much of an improvement, or would better heads and intake? Know of any diesel conversions, or is it time for a Honda Civic for a second car? By the time you factor in car payments and insurance, is it really worth it? Oh, and I drive 250+ miles a week.
Robert Castle
Tucson, AZ
Answer: In all reality, you should be getting a bit better than 8 mpg, but then again, you didn't tell me how fast you're driving; what's "gentle" to one person is not gentle to another. OK, to be honest with you, there is not a lot you can do about the fuel mileage. For example, I have a tube-framed, very modified flatfender Jeep with a mild 383 Chevy motor, 700R4 transmission, 4.56 gears, and a Quadrajet carb. Usually, there are some 36- or 37-inch tires on it. On the trail I get about 10 mpg. On the highway, it ranges from 10 to 13 mpg, depending on how much of a hurry I'm in. Nothing great either. One advantage that I have is that the trans offers an Overdrive gear, so my rpm drops about 600 when it shifts into Overdrive. Less engine speed equals better fuel mileage.
The first thing to do is slow down. Your Toyota is nothing more than a big square box with lots of wind-catching features. The springs, front and rear axles, transfer case, not to mention the flat grille, all cause the air currents to do strange things and cause an unbelievable amount of resistance. The second thing is to do the simple things-like make sure the air filter is clean, switch over to synthetic lubricants (not only in the engine but in the complete drivetrain), and by all means check out your exhaust system. Has trail damage smashed the tailpipe where it's causing a restriction? Lots of people don't think about this one. Pump up the tires to a higher air pressure to lessen the rolling resistance, though don't get too carried away to the point where the tires start to wear in the center of the tread.
Now, as to modifications to the engine such as fuel injection and better heads: most likely, yes, they will make a difference. How much? Maybe a couple of miles per gallon. Payback time? Probably about the time the vehicle is worn out.
Retrofitting Chevy EFI To Carb
Question: I have an '89 Chevy 1-ton 4x4, and I want to get rid of the TBI and go with a carb and intake. Is this possible? It has the OBD-1 computer and a Turbo 400. I have just rebuilt the engine, bored 0.030 over, and with the biggest cam that can go with the computer, and it runs OK but I feel there is more in there. We ran the track at 13.90 in the quarter-mile, but I feel that the TBI and the computer are holding it back.
Brent Broersma
Camas, WA
Answer: Yes, the low airflow of the throttle body is holding your performance back. You might consider swapping one from a "big-block" motor, as they are a bit larger and do flow more air. (Whoops-my guess is that your 1-ton is already equipped with a 454, as I believe that was the standard motor for them at that time.) Now, if you go to a carburetor, I am sure you will see a performance increase, but you also will be in violation of state and federal laws as far as emissions requirements.
Aside from that, let's assume you only use your truck on private land. You need to carefully pick the proper manifold and carburetor for your application. Trying to recommend something is pretty difficult considering that I don't know your present cam specifications and rpm range of operation. My choice would be something a bit on the conservative side, so pick up a Summit Racing catalog or take a look at www.summitracing.com, as there are a lot of manifolds available.
As far as a choice of carburetors, I think that I would go with a Holley Truck Avenger in either the 670-cfm or perhaps the 770-cfm version as I have had some pretty good luck with them in off-road situations, and they are quite easy to tune.
Keep in mind when picking both the intake and the carb, that you want to retain that low-end torque that the 454s are famous for, as you're moving a pretty darn heavy truck.
Oh, and you're also going to need a new distributor; the computer-controlled unit will not work properly. You can either use an early-model factory HEI unit or one of the aftermarket brands such as an MSD.
Lift Tips For 3/4-Ton Ram
Question: I have an '02 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 with the Cummins diesel, and I was happy to see it on your "Best Buys in Used 4x4s" list roughly a year ago. I have no complaints, as the truck has been very good to me. I use it for work and load it up pretty good sometimes.
If I bought a 6-inch suspension lift, would the new springs be able to handle a heavy load like the stockers? Which is better-a body lift or a suspension lift? I thought a body lift would keep the center of gravity lower. It already has stock 5-inch lift blocks on the rear springs and 2-inch coil spacers on the front. I bought a 3-inch body lift kit for it, but haven't installed it yet. I'd have to disconnect practically everything under the hood for brackets. It seems like a lot more work than putting in a spring lift. I want to put on some 35- or 37-inch tires. What do you recommend?
Jonny Brown
Shrewsbury, MA
Answer: Body lift kits are an inexpensive way to get additional clearance for larger tires, but you do pay the price in the fact that there is one heck of an amount of hard labor involved, and lots of bracketry that has to be moved and extended to make it all work right. Your statement "that you load it up pretty heavy some times" makes me wonder if the body lift is not something that you want to be using, especially one that moves the body away from the frame 3 inches. This puts a lot of leverage on the body mounts, spacers, and bolts, and could result in the body moving around a bit when you don't want it to.
As to whether the 6-inch suspension lift would be able to handle the extra weight when the truck is fully loaded, most companies take this into account, but I would suggest that you check with the company that you consider getting the kit from. First off, you really do want new rear springs and not just another spacer block, especially one that will add another 6 inches to the present one. You want to make sure the springs are capable of handling the same amount of load that the factory stock ones are. Keep in mind that a 6-inch suspension lift will also, generally speaking, make the truck ride quite stiff when unloaded and probably won't really add all that much to its articulation ability.
