STUPID V8 QUESTION TIME 1999 RANGER/1998 EXPLORER DONOR

[6gun]

Plans are to utilize the Explorer for any needed swap parts but use a new engine/ transmission for the install. My question that I can't seem to find any good answer for is how much engine can I run off of the Explorer systems. I'm eyeballing an ATK unit that puts out around 375HP/ 385ftlb of torque I understand tuning and probably larger injectors will be needed. Any other input? Trying not to have a giant pile of leftover parts. Or an engine that is choked down by it's intake/fuel system. Truck is my "Adventure rig" so it sees a LOT of street miles and a good bit of off-roading.

 

[Lil Bronco]

I had a local shop do the machine work, and put the 347 crank in it. Forgot the cam #’s, but was for off idle torque, and ford blue (24#) injectors ran by the FAST computer, and MSD ignition. All in front of a C4 with manual/reverse valve body.

If I did it again, probably just go with the 302.....maybe the 331. Most of the crate motors seem to be screamers, all my stuff is under 3000 RPMs.

Whatever ya do, you’ll have a LOT more than you did.

Have fun!

 

[6gun]

OK slight change of plans but I'm going to try and just keep one thread going. Today I purchased a 2001 Mercury Mountaineer and due a combination of 4.0 blowing a head gasket and financial issues I only have enough cash to just swap in the great running motor as is. So it will get fresh oil, filter, spark plugs, trans fluid, filter, new serpentine belt and tensioner, anything else that we find needed and a few little prayers. Question that I can't seem to find a solid answer for is.......... Will my 1354 TC bolt right up into the 4403/4(AWD) that is in there now?

 

[RonD]

No, it won't bolt to the V8 trans, BW1354 was a light duty transfer case, never used with a V8
But you can get an adapter, about $500 I think, to do that

I think the popular choice for the V8 explorers was to swap in a BW4406 transfer case

Thread here on that: https://www.explorerforum.com/forums/index.php?threads/another-bw4406-transfer-case-swap-this-time-into-a-ranger.194729/


If you install the AWD for now make sure to hook up the front drive shaft, or truck can roll in Park on a hill, the AWD transfer case uses a viscous coupling not a direct drive so both drive lines need to be hooked up or Park will not hold

 

[6gun]

No, it won't bolt to the V8 trans, BW1354 was a light duty transfer case, never used with a V8
But you can get an adapter, about $500 I think, to do that

I think the popular choice for the V8 explorers was to swap in a BW4406 transfer case

Thread here on that: https://www.explorerforum.com/forums/index.php?threads/another-bw4406-transfer-case-swap-this-time-into-a-ranger.194729/


If you install the AWD for now make sure to hook up the front drive shaft, or truck can roll in Park on a hill, the AWD transfer case uses a viscous coupling not a direct drive so both drive lines need to be hooked up or Park will not hold

Thanks for the link! Now more homework/parts chasing to do. It may get to be AWD for a while but that's not ideal at all considering it's on Super Duty axles and 39's!

 

[bobbywalter]

maybe just drive the mountaineer if it is drivable until your ok financially and have a good stretch of time..


just driving around on 39's is adventurous....but a cut fender 33 in lincoln locked mountaineer will be adventurous too...

one thing about this sort of load with 40 inch tires and driving allot...... it is where a diesel shines when road miles are on the table.

a 350 hp 302 will make some serious heat under load. the explorer intake is good for about 350 depending on cam..i have seen them on dyno over 400 with mild work.


the engine power rating from atk you listed....will take extensive tuning and the explorer eec can handle it. no doubt.

that said i would consider, an edelbrock top end for your donor and a fi tech if it has stout compression.

 

[6gun]

maybe just drive the mountaineer if it is drivable until your ok financially and have a good stretch of time..

It will be driven until I'm ready to swap stuff over.


just driving around on 39's is adventurous....but a cut fender 33 in lincoln locked mountaineer will be adventurous too...

one thing about this sort of load with 40 inch tires and driving allot...... it is where a diesel shines when road miles are on the table.


I really like the thought of a diesel and I've studied them all, can't find one that fills all my needs. 6.9/7.3 too big/heavy, 4BT don't like to turn fast enough WAY too heavy, 6BT Fugetaboutit!, 2.8R Cummins too expensive, everything else too rare/not enough power etc....



a 350 hp 302 will make some serious heat under load. the explorer intake is good for about 350 depending on cam..i have seen them on dyno over 400 with mild work.

the engine power rating from atk you listed....will take extensive tuning and the explorer eec can handle it. no doubt.

that said i would consider, an edelbrock top end for your donor and a fi tech if it has stout compression.

I think I will wind up settling for a little milder motor now that I have more time to think. Honestly 300HP is easily attainable and nearly twice the stock power of the 4.0 OHV the truck came stock with and in stock trim it was not lacking in power even with 200K miles on it until the 39's went on.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I really like the thought of a diesel and I've studied them all, can't find one that fills all my needs. 6.9/7.3 too big/heavy, 4BT don't like to turn fast enough WAY too heavy, 6BT Fugetaboutit!, 2.8R Cummins too expensive, everything else too rare/not enough power etc....

I know a guy with a slobberin' diesel V8 in a Ranger on 40's. He seems to get around ok...

 

[6gun]

I know a guy with a slobberin' diesel V8 in a Ranger on 40's. He seems to get around ok...

I have a plasma cutter and a welder, it CAN be done. Whether or not it suits my driving style/needs is the question. After much research, I do not believe it does. A 6.2 Detroit would be my choice but it too has many drawbacks for what I'm doing. 5.0 makes the most sen

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I have a plasma cutter and a welder, it CAN be done. Whether or not it suits my driving style/needs is the question. After much research, I do not believe it does. A 6.2 Detroit would be my choice but it too has many drawbacks for what I'm doing. 5.0 makes the most sen

And you already have a good start on a 5.0 swap.

 

[bobbywalter]

the 4.0 has a decent torque band. evicting a good 4.0 that is in front of a manual is hard for me to suggest. so since yours is broke...its an open topic...

with street miles and 40's, its asking too much from the little 4.0 guys in stock trim. while a stock 302 wont be much different down low, it will pay in midrange and higher rpms...





i was not suggesting to use a diesel...but to run a better top end on the donor 5.0 you have with a fi tech and megajolt....instead of buying the atk....providing the bottom is solid.


for off roading the diesel is not my first choice at all. noisy...smelly...vibrate too much.

not even on the menu for trail dedicated trailer trash .

but with your stated intentions it is something to consider.

flately put... a navistar cast hummer assembly is cheaper then the atk setup and hellishly more efficient...combined with the 4l80 it is brutally effective....and will take boost easily....unlike the gm cast engine in my truck.

with no turbo i dont have top end at all...but it is effective for many things...took me a long time to figure out how to drive it going from 300 plus hp to 110 or whatever it has.... regardless...with 42inch tires and 410 gears it has thoroughly embarrassed ls powered high dollar rigs. compared to a mild build 302 let alone a stock 302, driving on the hiway with 42 inch tires i am nearly double the economy....with alternate blended fuel its half the cost easily.

it is the main reason i tolerate my engine. simple and cheap to own.

 

[6gun]

the 4.0 has a decent torque band. evicting a good 4.0 that is in front of a manual is hard for me to suggest. so since yours is broke...its an open topic...

with street miles and 40's, its asking too much from the little 4.0 guys in stock trim. while a stock 302 wont be much different down low, it will pay in midrange and higher rpms...





i was not suggesting to use a diesel...but to run a better top end on the donor 5.0 you have with a fi tech and megajolt....instead of buying the atk....providing the bottom is solid.


for off roading the diesel is not my first choice at all. noisy...smelly...vibrate too much.

not even on the menu for trail dedicated trailer trash .

but with your stated intentions it is something to consider.

flately put... a navistar cast hummer assembly is cheaper then the atk setup and hellishly more efficient...combined with the 4l80 it is brutally effective....and will take boost easily....unlike the gm cast engine in my truck.

with no turbo i dont have top end at all...but it is effective for many things...took me a long time to figure out how to drive it going from 300 plus hp to 110 or whatever it has.... regardless...with 42inch tires and 410 gears it has thoroughly embarrassed ls powered high dollar rigs. compared to a mild build 302 let alone a stock 302, driving on the hiway with 42 inch tires i am nearly double the economy....with alternate blended fuel its half the cost easily.

it is the main reason i tolerate my engine. simple and cheap to own.

As a former Diesel mechanic who has worked who has worked on thousands of Humvees, I fully understand the drawbacks, that is one of the reasons I shy away so much. I know too much about their characteristics. From an economy and torque standpoint, hands down the diesel.

One of my reasons (and probably thinking wrong) is that I want as much factory, solid and dependable as possible. I like that the Explorer 5.0 swap will basically be all factory parts and connections. Dash will remain fully functional, OBD remains functional etc. After more studying and deliberation I have toned down my desires for high horsepower. I will probably be shooting for more around 275-300. My hopes and dreams are to attain a solid 15-20MPG range, if I can hit that I'm happy.

There is always my fallback lottery dream of a 2.5 Ecoboost but I don't see that happening.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

FWIW mine was getting 16-18mpg going out to Ohio and back.

 

[6gun]

While I was perusing my donor Sunday I noticed that the brake booster was plainly marked "5.0" Any reason that has to be swapped or can I just stick to my 4.0 unit. I may swap the brake booster at least in hopes of using the cruise control switch in future endeavors to install cruise. Which my Ranger is sorely lacking!

 

[fastpakr]

For what it's worth, I left the 3.0 brake booster in mine when I swapped and both power brakes and cruise worked just fine.