Fordboy77 previously posted:
"I read somewhere they were one of the most traded in vehicles, but hey its gotta mean something if there were that many left on the road. Well sounds like i better get looking. hell even if it barely runs and is cheap sounds like a good deal to me, because i am a firm believer in rebuilding everything before you put it back into something. So you believe this is a good way to go? i considered a 302 but it seems like a lot more work and to worry about. What are your thoughts?"
If you have your heart set on swapping in an engine for more power, then yes, this is the easiest route. Please know that I'm only suggesting a 4.0 swap. Not pressuring you to go that route. Ultimately, the decision is yours. While a V8 swap is another great way to go, it won't be anywhere near as close to "bolt-in" as the 4.0 would be.
If you do get a complete Sploder for a donor, you'll get the rear 31 spline 8.8" & the high pinion D35 up front. Also, the wire harness, ECU, transmission, better t/case. Heck, if you wanted to, you could swap out the dashboard so it'd look like a 2nd gen B2 inside.
Your B2 fuel pump & tank will work with the swap, the sploder radiator will bolt directly in the B2, engine mounts are the same between the two, you can use the front part of the exhaust from the sploder. Lots of the little things will be easier less money spent with the 4.0 swap than it would with a V8 swap.
What happens if you get a great deal on a pretty decent sploder? Would you sell the B2 & lift the sploder? Just to tease ya, I'll show you some pics of my friend's sploder.
Here's what he started out with
Here's after a few hours in my driveway, those are 37's
Here's a couple on the trails