Hey guys new to the forum, recently inherited my dads 1994 Ranger from Arizona. I am restoring the truck and that 2.3L is wore out. I am thinking about swapping with the 3.0 to make this is fun little truck to drive, however how many other items am I looking at besides engine and transmission on a truck of this age. The odometer stopped working years ago but this truck was his daily driver until about 3 months ago, I would estimate in the 200k mileage range.

 

Welcome to the forum

No, not a good swap

Because an engine was used in a Ranger doesn't make a swap any easier, in fact it makes it less desirable to do since you can go out and buy a factory built 3.0l Ranger, in this case, so why build one from scratch

When you change engine sizes the work is pretty much the same, regardless of the size(within reason, lol)
Engine/trans, computer and engine wiring harness
Exhaust, radiator and wiring interface between body and engine harness

But there is also the years
1994 and earlier Rangers used the EEC-IV 60 wire computer(OBD1)
1995 and up Rangers used the EEC-V 104 wire computer(OBD2), still used in Fords today
Not a "big" deal to go to newer 104-wire computer but does add more work to the project

3.0l Vulcan engine is nick named 3.slow, never owned one so can't say, but that seems to be a popular nick name, lol

A 5.0l V8 conversion is the same work, and its been done many times so loads of info on doing this conversion
An there are no Factory V8 Rangers, well there were a few prototypes, lol

If you decide to swap out the 2.3l SOHC Lima engine for another one, you can only used a 1989 to 1994 2.3l model, 1995-1997 won't work in 1994 and earlier, 2001 and up 2.3l is DOHC Duratec, so not the same engine.

The 2.3l SOHC Lima is a tank, very well built and reliable, rebuilding is also an option and these can be turbo charged with very good results if you put in the engine parts needed for a turbo when rebuilding

 

Thanks Ron, incredibly helpful reply. I don't think I want to drop the $$$ for a V8 swap so the 2.3L replacement is probably the way I will go. The truck need a ton of other parts replaced so off to find a parts truck on Craiglist. Thanks again.

 

LMC truck: Truck Parts & Truck Accessories for Chevy, GMC, Ford & Dodge Trucks

Is a good source for new parts, not drive train(engine/trans) related
Its also a good place to see what YEAR body and trim parts will fit your 1994

Select FORD
Then RANGER, not Pickup, thats fullsize F-150, ect
Then 1983-11

Rangers had 3 generations, 1983-1992, 1993-1997, 1998-2011
(not sure if we will be calling 2019 Ranger 4th generation since there was an 8 year gap, lol)

1993-2011 are "almost" all the same parts, almost being the key word, lol

 

Good deal, thanks again!

 

I have a 94 mazda b2300 I put new fuel pump filter relay for fuel pump new fuel pressure regulator and a new ignition module but will not run. Can you help

 

I have a 94 mazda b2300 I put new fuel pump filter relay for fuel pump new fuel pressure regulator and a new ignition module but will not run. Can you help

 

Welcome to the forum

You should have started your own thread

Go here: https://www.ranger-forums.com/genera...discussion-15/

On the left toward the top you will see "+" New Thread << click on that

A new window will open and to can ask your question

1994 Mazda B-2300 is the same as Ranger 2.3l and many people here have these, 1989 to 1994 are the same