I'm currently gathering parts for an engine swap this winter on my samurai. I acquired a ford ranger 2.9l motor tranny radiator, and exhaust cheap. I plan to put the motor and tranny in and make a new jack shaft for the divorced transfer case. Has anyone put a 2.9l in a Sammy? I have been searching for a while can't seem to get much info on it. any help would be appreciated.

Oy...years ago...I think it was over on www.off-road.com 's Suzuki forum there were a few guys that had done it and loved it.  Small engine, plenty of power for a Sami, and available.  However that was the better part of a decade ago if my memory is correct.

Just subscribing.  The more I think about this, the cooler its sounding.  It honestly seems like a good choice.  Plus, you have alot of the guys building bronco2's swapping for 4.0's, so they are in abundance.

Honestly with the 2.9L having head and cooling issues I'd look at the 3.0L V6.  Less issues, more power, and not 20+ years out of production.

While most people beleive that it has those issues, if built correctly, it does not.  I have a buddy, went crawling with him last night, has an 90 bronco2.  Atleast thats what it started llife as.  The only bronco2 left is the windsheild frame, engine, trans and tcase.  Rear axle is a ford 9", front is a full width 44, hundreds of feet of DOM, expanded metal floors, not one part of the buggy is untouched.  He is still running the 2.9, albeit rebuilt, around 5-6 years ago. He has had no issues what so ever with the motor, even bounces it off the revlimiter.  That said, with all the tube, square stock and fullsize axles, that rig FAR out weighs anything our Sammy's could ever weigh and the engine keeps driving on. 

There's a reason Ford Motorsports used to have a redesigned head for those 2.9L's and Ford had a TSB for it back in the day.  Not a bad little engine but the lack of grunt, "meh" mpg, and those issues killed it for the 3.0L and 4.0L.

lack of grunt?  the motor has some torque to it, before his build he was lifted on 35's with 100k plus miles, he could keep up with a 3.4 swapped 94 4runner and damn near crawl up any obstacle.  Maybe its just the driver that knows hows to do it... who knows, anyway, if he wants to swap a 2.9, go for it dude.  Seriously has me thinking about it.  I think it would be an amazing powerplant for a tiny Zuki.

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/2_9_Page.html

All about the 2.9L.

The GM 2.8L V6 and the Ford 2.8/2.9L V6 were just too small for the vehicles they powered.  Never got the mileage you'd expect from such a small engine due to the engines just having to work so hard to move a 3500lb to 4500lb vehicle.

It honestly doesn't matter what you read, real world proves its a very capable, reliable and good running motor.

Case in point, Cam's Bronco2 with the STOCK 2.9, tell me now its a waste to put in a Sammy.

Now, the GM 2.8, that was a true dog.  I had the 2.8 in an old s10 blazer, weak.  I used to have an old 2.9 ranger, lifter tick, rod knock (i was poor at the time it was 500 bucks)  Still drove 2 1/2 hours each way from ridgecrest to big bear every other weekend for over a year AND ran John Bull several times in it.  Point is, it is in fact a good motor.

This isn't my first rodeo bud.  Never said they wouldn't be a bad engine for a Sami.  Did say they aren't power houses, have known issues, and are old.  Personally if I was going to that effort I'd find a 3.0L Ford or maybe even a 4.0L.

Cooling/head cracking issues?  Yep.
Low power?  Yep.
Lack of support for them?  Yep.


Every 2.9L that I've been around in a RBV was a non-performer.  Reliable sure, fast no.  Several had head issues and none got great gas mileage.  Spent a lot of time around a '89 BII with the 2.9L and 5 speed stick.  Even with road tires, the stick, an older man driving it, and favorable mpg gearing it managed an awesome 15mpg.  My V8 powered fullsizes could almost do that.

Again, none of this is in a Sami.

Oh, and TheRangerStation is the best and largest source of information out there for RBV's.  I wouldn't casually dismiss it just as I wouldn't casually dismiss this place for Suzukis.

My big issue is that you keep stating underpowered...  If this B2 is on 35's, full size axels with 4.10's, how can it cruise 80 all the way from ridgecrest to big bear.  I have seen this truck get built since the beginning.  I have seen it on wide open desert, I can assure you, this truck is quick and powerful. 

What support do you need, its going in a samurai! You dont exactly need headers, cam and all that...

Thirdly, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.  yours is that the motor is crap.  Mine happens to be I see nothing wrong with it.  If he wants to install it, let him, I beleive he will be extremely pleased and satisfied that the sammy has cojones.  As quick as my old ranger was with its issues, the sammy will definately get when you drop the skinny pedal.

It is underpowered.  Any of the small V6's made since it came out will make more power, more readily, and be more efficient while revving faster and higher.  Hell, a Suzuki 2.7L or 2.5l V6 has better numbers than that thing.

Okay then, I'm done dude, its a forum for discussion, not argument.  That said, stick with your engine of choice, and I'll stick with mine, as the OP will do what he see's fit.  I will be staying stock, why?  Cause I have a truck and trailer to tow it around, of course I will be heading towards TBI or propane, but a geared, locked sammy will a mild injection setup will function just fine on the trail.  Have a great evening.

Have a nice life bud.

Don't be so sensitive.

Buenos Nachos!