hi im brandon, i have an 84 ranger on 36 swampers that i three linked dana 30 in the front and a ford 9 inch in the back. i am tired of the tired 2.8 V6 that is in the truck,so i am swapping in a 91 302ho out of a mustang. the problem i ran into is the tranny im gonna use :confused: . if you have any ideas on wich ones i should use or what trucks i can find them in,or pros and cons on certain ones that would help me alot.any piece of info will help thanks brandon. :confused:

do you want to run automatic or stick? Is your D30 drivers or pass drop? The D20 from an early Bronco is a strong short Tcase that would help your driveline angle.

only you can decide.

personaly i like autos. and v8's. but out there if your into the hard shit i would seriously consider a 4.0 with an m5od. swap in the f series tailshaft and extension housing and run a 203 rangebox into a twin sticked 205.

the 4.0 has good power, and 1/2 the heat issues.

if this rig sees street use i would definatly consider the 4.0 to avoid any emission and inspection bullshit.

Just FYI...Danger ranger is still running the V6 with 42's...he has Dana 60's though. But, I saw him tear up the little sluice two/three weekend ago with that V6.

The 30 has to go IMO. I would rather see you spend the money on new axles than a new engine. Unless the engine is toast anyway. As for the tranny and t-case...what do you want to do with this truck? Crawl? Street? Daily Driver? In any case the 30 has to go. You can put a 44 in that for cheap so I wouldn't spend to much on the 30. JMHO...I am a rock guy though...

i definatly agree. where i live a 2.9 aint worth a fawk if you need to drive around with 35,s. but the 4.0 is fine. i came out last summer and watched and rode with dr in his truck and uglies too. he does well. when the d60 shaft exploded i was pretty sure the 4.0 was a decent choice for a trail rig. if its a smaller dedicated trail rig like fuglies...i learned his 2.9 does well. even in front of the gay ass mitsu trans, cause once it goes thru the 5.3 atlas...things get mangled. that setup has managed to force an upgrade to 40 splines in the 9 inch and some aftermarket alloys and i believe ctms up front. with mere 36's!!

put it this way..his cab broke in half in the middle of the door pillars where the hinges are.. :eek: so it was a learning experience.



this may be of interest.

http://www.rrorc.com/forums/showthread.php?p=149096#post149096

Danger's is a 4.0. Sorry about that. 2.9 is small.

He hasn't even got the 2.9... he's got the carburated 2.8....
I'd suggest a 4.0 swap....