Explorer 5.0L Swap

MastuhWaffles said:

So I'm wanting to do that engine swap into my Ranger, and as I have read throughout the article I still have some questions.

First off, its going in my 2007 2WD Sport, so is that even viable? Or will it only work with the 4x4?

Secondly will it bolt up to my transmission? Or will I need an adapter plate or just swap it entirely? I think the 07 Sport uses the 5R55E.

What problems can I run into swapping into such a newer model? I know I will need that 96-97 model explorer.

Finally if it's possible to do such, what performance parts can I get to beef up the 5.0L a bit? Nothing crazy but some preventative parts/performance.

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2Krngr said:

- Swapping to a 2wd is no problem, you just need the proper motor mounts and conversion plates (use 4.0l motor mounts, and RicksRangerz Plates available on ebay)
- None of the available Ranger transmissions fit the 5.0l, you must use a 302 transmission of some type, there were 2wd 5.0l explorers but they are rare, but I've heard you can ditch the transfercase off the awd explorer trans and put the 2wd rear housing on it (there may be some f150 trans parts that interchange the other guys here would know alot more about the automatics). If you wanted manual you would use an M5OD-R2.
- You want to use a 98-00 returnless explorer not a 96-97.
- I believe there is some additional wiring changes in the 04+ Rangers, and something to do with the cluster as well, from other threads I've seen in the past.
- Performance-wise sky is the limit, I assume you only want bolt-ons, which your basic stuff is the obvious intake, exhaust, throttle body, maf, and a tune of some variant. A different cam really wakes the motor up and they are very cheap to buy, assuming you are comfortable installing it.
- Preventative maintance for the old motor would be your basic waterpump, thermostat, timing chain, 2x idler pulleys, tensioner, intake and valve cover gaskets, heater/waterpump/radiator/vacuum hoses, pcv valve. If it were me I recommend front and rear main seals and an oilpan gasket while the motor is out of the truck so you don't have to deal with them in the truck for many more years.

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MastuhWaffles said:

Currently I have a 4.0L in my truck right now so I can just use those motor mounts?
And what do you mean by returnless?
I do really want to put a manual transmission in my truck, I don't know how much of a fiasco it would be to go from auto to manual.
My ideal thing would be to find an explorer with okay miles that was totaled from the rear but I don't know if that would be easy to find.

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MastuhWaffles said:

Currently I have a 4.0L in my truck right now so I can just use those motor mounts?
And what do you mean by returnless?
I do really want to put a manual transmission in my truck, I don't know how much of a fiasco it would be to go from auto to manual.
My ideal thing would be to find an explorer with okay miles that was totaled from the rear but I don't know if that would be easy to find.

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2Krngr said:

By returnless I mean the fuel system. They use a different line configuration, evap setup, and fuel pressure regulators. Save yourself some hassle and just get a 98-00. Also the newer motors should have the stamped oil pan that clears the 2wd crossmeber instead of cast pan that doesn't, and the cast headers that are a bit better than the terrible tube ones Ford put on the earlier ones.

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Mac said:

You have the Sport model so you should have the torsion bar front suspension. That means you don't need special mounting plates, just use the stock Explorer 5.0 mounts. Major problem is going to get some of the dash to function correctly, in 2004 Ranger went to a digital dash, spedo and such. Hoosier (something) did a 2005 and ran into that problem. Was suggested to change to an earlier dash. Good luck. Mechanically the same as other 1999-2000 swaps.
Dave

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Mac said:

You have the Sport model so you should have the torsion bar front suspension. That means you don't need special mounting plates, just use the stock Explorer 5.0 mounts. Major problem is going to get some of the dash to function correctly, in 2004 Ranger went to a digital dash, spedo and such. Hoosier (something) did a 2005 and ran into that problem. Was suggested to change to an earlier dash. Good luck. Mechanically the same as other 1999-2000 swaps.
Dave

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