Bringing this thread back from the dead. I recently found a 84 B2 without engine and trans, owner was planning a V8 swap and ran out of patience... Last summe, my son and I stripped the 90 Ranger and installed EVERYTHING from his 94 Explorer. Fun truck, and does get a little better MPG than in the Explorer. But I'm left with the leftover stuff.
I have a couple ways to go with this, *IF* I get the truck. I'm not looking for a overgrown underpowered offroader. I'm thinking a decent little normal sized MPG machine. I remember thinking the B2 needed mroe power with the 2.9 in 86 when I wanted to buy one. And with the automatic, it wasn't a lot of fun. The 4 banger EFI with a 5 speed ought to at least be its equal.
I'm understanding the B2 engine crossmember isn't drilled for 2.3 mounts. Not a show stopper, I can always build mounts. While I have the electric shift tcase, I also have a manual shift 1350. Might be preferable and rule out some wiring headaches. I yanked the Ranger's D35 with 4.10s. But it needs bearings, balljoints and one spindle. IF I swap in the D35, I would prefer to use the 96-97 model Ranger unit, for the better brakes. I also have a D30 from a XJ with 3.07s... At stock B2 height, I think I'd have to trim a LOT of the crossmember and maybe weaken it. No real reason to SAS...
In a different vein, Are the 2WD beams for the Explorers a bolt in for B2/Ranger 4x4 mounts? Just something to consider.
Yeah, go figure, someone thinking of building a RBV for MPG...
