Hey I was wondering how hard it would be to swap a 1991 explorer V6 4.0L engine 4x4 into a 1992 2.3L 4cly chassis. Will the chassis accept it ? Recommend changing out the rear end as well? Will the majority of the wires match up ?

 

if you do this, it would be easiest if you had both engine bays sitting next to each other. you will EVERYTHING under the hood from the 4.0. you will want to grab ALL of the wires, the computer, the intake and exhaust parts, the airbox, the reserviors, even the radiator. If you have the entire front clip from the 4.0 it will be a very easy swap. You will also need a tranny from a 4.0 because the tranny from the 2.3 wont bolt to the 4.0. You will want to use the engine mounts that are on the 4.0 also. The rear end is up to you, if you have an 8.8 around sure, but I wouldnt be as worried about it for now.

 

So is it virtually the exact same frame and body as a V6 4.0 4x4, but with a 2wd four cyl in it?

 

between a 91 and 92 yes which is why you will want all of the wireing from the 4.0 as most if not all of it will just plug right back into the body harness. the engine crossmember IS different between the 2wd and 4wd however it will not have an effet on bolting the engine in. You WILL NOT however be able to bolt the front axle into the 2wd. You can run the 4.0 with the 4x4 tranny and the t-case and just run the rear driveshaft and have only rear wheel drive as long as you leave the t-case in 2wd.

 

how hard would it be to modify the 2wd frame to fit the 4x4?

 

if you have both there and can weld you will need to remove the 2wd engine crossmember and toss it out. then you will need to VERY CAREFULLY cut out the 4x4 engien crossmember without damaging it and weld it in place into the 2wd frame. these crossmembers are welded in from the factory so when you cut them out you have to be sure not to damage the frame or the crossmember so you can reuse it.