I have a 1986 ranger 4x4 with 2.3l. I was looking to swap engines to a 2.9l v6. I've found an engine out of a 1990 ranger and was wondering if it would bolt up properly and what I would have to do to make it work if possible.

 

Welcome to the forum

Not sure that would be a good swap

You need the 2.9l engine and its computer and wiring harness
Also a 2.9l 4x4 transmission, the 2.3l trans won't work/fit on the 2.9l

I think you need to remove the cross brace in the engine bay that was used for the 2.3l's drivers side motor mount, the add the 2.9l motor mounts to the frame
And of course change exhaust system and radiator

Its literally the same work as installing a V8 engine

 

What Ron is trying to say is that you need to drop a 5.0 in there

 

Well yes, lol

What I was saying is that you can go out and buy a 2.9l Ranger made at the factory for less than you can convert a 2.3l Ranger to a 2.9l Ranger
Fixing the 2.3l Ranger 4x4 would be better since 4cyl Ranger 4x4s are not all that common so you could sell it and get 2.9l Ranger 4x4, or 4.0l Ranger 4x4 even better

Building a V8 Ranger 4x4 is the same work as swapping any engine size, but you can't go out and buy a factory Ranger V8, 2WD or 4x4