4 Wheel Drive/SUVs/Engine swap??

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Expert: - 5/10/2005


Question
Hello, Carl.  We have a 1986 Ford Bronco II and wondered if it is possible, feasible to swap out the 2.8L engine that is in there for a 305 or 350 engine.  Please let us know if you think this could work...

Thanks in advance.

Answer
Kenndra,

This type of swap is possible, and done quite often.  A good place to contact, would be Advance Adapters, as they sell conversion kits for most vehicles.  They can let you know what is available.  You may have to do a little welding for new motor or transmission mounts.  The year motor you put in will determine how many modifications you will have to make.  
A couple of other places to contact for conversion parts would be Dennis Carpenter Bronco, or James Duff.  
If you have wiring problems, a company called Painless Wiring can supply you with a complete wiring harness for the conversion.

Carl

Dennis Carpenter Bronco
4140 Concord Parkway So.
Concord, SC  28027
1-800-476-9653
704-786-8139
www.dennis-carpenter.com

James Duff
261340 Hwy 101 dept orc
Sequim, WA  98382
360-683-2160
www.jamesduff.com

Advance Adapters, INC.
P.O. Box 247
4320 Aerotech Center Way
Paso Robles, CA  93446-0247
http://www.advanceadapters.com
(805)238-4201

Painless Performance Products
1-800423-9696
www.painlessperformance.com  

4 Wheel Drive/SUVs

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Carl Brandt

Expertise

Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor. I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.

Experience

40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 1 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 7" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a cold air high flow filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 105:1 in low gear/low range. Other vehicles I own, are a 96 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 36" Hummer tires, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, an 87 Samurai with an 8" lift, Ford 9" rear end with a spool, Chevy Dana 44 front end with an electric locker, 5.88 gears, 16% reduction in high range and a 6.5:1 low range with 35" Baja Claws, and a stock 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland. Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.

Organizations
Lost Coast 4x4's Cal 4-Wheel Corva UFWDA Blue Ribbon Coalition

Education/Credentials
Certified off-road instructor - Certificates in engineering/electronics

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