96 5.0 Explorer swap to 3rd Gen Ranger

[AlwaysOnKill]

Im looking for some help and I know that i came to the right place . I have a 96 ford explorer with a 5.0 thats complete and running . Has anyone ever swaped a 96 explorer 5.0 in to a 3rd gen ranger ? I see alot of good info on a 99+ Ranger but no love on the 3rd gen .

 

[ryanthegreat]

im looking to do the same thing. i was given a 5.0 out of a 96 explorer and i think i want to drop it into a 1992ish ranger... i dont have the ranger yet im going to focus on rebuilding the motor.

 

[Mac]

Not much help so far I see. Actually, quite a few have used the Explorer motor in the early Rangers. What most have done is just convert the ignition/computer/engine wiring back to something like the '93' Mustang. Some say it's not to hard to use the existing Explorer computer and wiring if you spend the time to carefully go thru the wiring diagrams. Myself, hate wiring.
Dave of the Nord

 

[TOPDOG2007]

I did a 97 Mountaineer into a 96 Ranger. I only had to do some minor re-pinning to make the Mountaineer wiring work. The downside to keeping the Explorer/Mountaineer wiring & computer is the lack of aftermarket upgrades that are available compared to the vast Mustang parts market if you switch to the Mustang computer, ignition and wiring.

 

[NMB2]

The downside to keeping the Explorer/Mountaineer wiring & computer is the lack of aftermarket upgrades that are available compared to the vast Mustang parts market if you switch to the Mustang computer, ignition and wiring.

thats backwards. OBD2 is WAY more customizable than EEC4

 

[TOPDOG2007]

thats backwards. OBD2 is WAY more customizable than EEC4

Not the Explorer computer....it doesn't like aftermarket cams, bigger injectors & other upgrades...believe me I have been fighting with this setup for a while. I have a direct line pretty much with Fred @ Rogue Performance and we have been adjusting and Tuning for what seems like months now with my SCT SF3 tuner.

 

[ryanthegreat]

engines are no longer bolt-on compliant, u need to reprogram your fuel map when u start changing the valve lift and duration. thats where its nice to have the OBD2 plug so its easy to break into your computer

 

[Mac]

engines are no longer bolt-on compliant, u need to reprogram your fuel map when u start changing the valve lift and duration. thats where its nice to have the OBD2 plug so its easy to break into your computer

Think that's the long and short of it. My local SCT would much rather work on the OBDII. There are so many place now that do over/thru the phone/computer with new tunes for your new upgrades. VMP or Stage 3 are a couple for the newer Mustangs. Explorers do not like long duration or narrow LSA's from what I have learned. Hard to fix at home anymore, dyno is the way.
Dave of the Nord

 

[disciplerocks]

http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/January2011/explorer-v8_95-97_ranger.htm

 

[AlwaysOnKill]

Thank you for the info guys ... I wasnt aware that you could saw the explorer DIS back to 5.0 mustang distributor . I take it all i need is a Mustang Engine harness and pcm .

 

[AlwaysOnKill]

Well I picked up a 96 5.0 Explorer with 102k for $850 . Interior is mint , but its blue . Everything works but the air bag module . Front end is all worn out , 4 bald tires and a ton of dents . Ill have the wiring harness , pcm, Trans for sale soon . I plan on converting it to a 89-93 mustang wiring , pcm , distribitor .

 

[RangerSVT]

I'd take the motor, harness and the dash as well (upgrade everything)...and as far as a V8 explorer into a TTB ranger, check out my build thread, everything is in the first post...
SVT