[92fordrangerguy]

I currently have a 2.3 liter ford cylinder 5 speed tranny, and 3.55 rear end gears. I want to swap to a 289 engine. What do you recommend to use as a tranny and rear end? thank you for the help!!

 

[matt167]

8.8" rear end from an Explorer or Ranger 4.0L ( bolt in ).. whatever trans you have will do, but if you want to keep the 5spd, you'll find the 2WD manual transmission from a late 80's, early 90's F-150 will bolt in with no modification, except I belive the tailshaft is longer so you'll need a shortened driveshaft... others use the T5 from vehicles like Mustangs, but they take a little more work

 

[techinspector1]

Have you considered a turbo swap from a Thunderbird Turbo Coupe?

 

[Torque454]

Have you considered a turbo swap from a Thunderbird Turbo Coupe?

Thats a very good option. A 302 would be good too and they are cheap to get ahold of. Even cheaper than a SBC. Ive seen so many 302s on craigslist for 100-150 lately it makes me wish i had some money.