Advice for engine swap V8 in 99 ranger

[fastpakr]

That's a good long term plan, but you don't need to rush out and do it immediately as part of the swap.

 

[Jooosh]

That's a good long term plan, but you don't need to rush out and do it immediately as part of the swap.

Ok cool thanks so much. down the road when I do decide to do the rear-end what would be recommended.

 

[fastpakr]

The simplest swap is an 8.8 out of a Ranger (and it's possible you already have one in your '99 - check you axle code to confirm).

The next option is an Explorer axle. Those are all 31 spline 8.8's, and have either 10" drums (91-94 and early Sport Tracs) or disc brakes. Probably the best all around axle option, but you'll have to deal with moving spring and shock mounts around to match the Ranger.

 

[Jooosh]

The simplest swap is an 8.8 out of a Ranger (and it's possible you already have one in your '99 - check you axle code to confirm).

The next option is an Explorer axle. Those are all 31 spline 8.8's, and have either 10" drums (91-94 and early Sport Tracs) or disc brakes. Probably the best all around axle option, but you'll have to deal with moving spring and shock mounts around to match the Ranger.

Cool again thanks for all the great information I will look and see.

 

[Jooosh]

Hey guy so I am trying to find header the will fit on this mercury mountaineer / ford explorer 5.0 motor when I put it in my 99 ranger, I can't find the Torque Monsters from Al's anywhere any suggestions.

 

[fastpakr]

The only other option is the OBX headers. They're made in china knock offs of the Torque Monsters. If you have all the patience in the world and you're installing them on the engine before it goes in the truck, then maybe they're worth considering. I got mine at a good price and did the install with the engine on a stand. It was still a nightmare. It took a belt sander to adjust one of the mating flanges so the two piece section would bolt together, and I never did get one of the header bolts started because of the slight misalignment under a tight clearance of pipes. You also have to connect the EGR riser pipe. They'll include a piece to raise the connection to meet the pipe, but it may not fit correctly.

If I were doing it again before installing another engine, I wouldn't get them.

If I had been putting them on an engine already installed, I couldn't have done it. No way to get to some of the bolts, and I'd never have been able to correctly fix the alignment problem with the two sections.

Torque Monsters or stock manifolds is my vote.

You should be able to contact Torque Monster and get on his waiting list. If you want them badly enough, you'll eventually get a set in several months.

 

[rubydist]

My understanding is that the Torque Monter headers for the Explorer engine are no longer available because the only guy who made them is no longer with us.

The cast iron factory headers from the Explorer are actually not that bad and will fit.

 

[fastpakr]

The TM's are still in production. He's just slow to make batches. One of the guys at the Explorer forum spoke to him recently about them.

 

[Airdrop13]

My thoughts/experience on a 99 Explorer/Mountaineer 5.0 swap to 99 Ranger.
I went with the 4R70W automatic transmission. If you are hell-bent on a manual transmission then skip the next sentence. Get a 4R70W transmission with a good shift kit and torque convertor to match the engine and be done with it unless you are serious about racing it.
My swap was about 95% plug and play. A couple of wires to be re-pinned for the starter and alternator. Both vehicles had PATS and I only had one key for the Ranger so I got a local mobile locksmith to cut another key and reprogram both. Much cheaper than taking it to the dealer.
The only thing that was non-OEM was the motor mount plates. I got those from Ricks. He is here on this forum.
I used the Explorer A/C compressor as it had the smaller diameter clutch and all the other A/C components was for the Ranger.
I used the 2 core Explorer radiator with the stock fan shroud. No overheating issues here in FL even while running the A/C.
The original driveshaft from the Explore fit along with the transmission cross member. But this was a regular cab Ranger.
I'msure I forgot a few other details but fell free to ask me any questions.

 

[fastpakr]

Why the change in motor mount plates?

 

[Airdrop13]

I'm not sure that they would line up. I am going to swap out another 99 Ranger with a 3.0 so I will look to see if the original mounts will work after removing the spacer on the drivers side.

 

[fastpakr]

I just moved the Explorer mounts over to the Ranger for my swap.

 

[Airdrop13]

Better clarification-I swapped a 99 Explorer 5.0 into a 99 Ranger 3.0 I used Ricks motor mount plates. I am going to swap the 5.o into another 99 Ranger and am going to see if I actually need to use Ricks plates in this swap. Same year Ranger and same engine.

 

[fastpakr]

You shouldn't. The only difference between our swaps was your regular cab 2wd vs my extended cab 4wd. Keep the plates on the motor and just transfer the mounts from the Explorer.

 

[Airdrop13]

I still have them both so when I put the current 5.0 from my Ranger into the new (99) Ranger I will look to see what the differences are. Either way, I won't be stopped. Although, I would prefer to be able to make it look TOTALLY like Ford did this installation from the factory.