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5.0 swap, 00 Ranger and 97 Explorer


lil_Blue_Ford

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So I’m going to start a thread here to try and detail the swap and to ask questions. This isn’t my first swap, I did a 00 Ranger and 99 Mountaineer swap with my dad a few years back, which proved to be quite easy, just a couple minor adjustments, like 5 wires spliced and the hardest part was getting PATS programmed. I was the mechanic and dad was the help on that job.

Well, I’ve always wanted one of my own so here we are, my transmission gave up in my Ranger and the motor is tired. I was given what was supposed to be a 99 Explorer, Eddie Bauer with a 5.0. Turned out to be a build date of 5/97 though. It will fire over with a shot of starting fluid but the fuel pump appears to be done in.

I’m intending to change the axles over, it has 3.73ls axles which I think should work well since the motor should turn those pretty good even running 31s. I haven’t decided if I should try to keep it spring under or if I should flip the perches. I’m not really intending to lift the truck, it’s mostly going to be a street toy/sleeper. The ABS block I was intending to swap over since if I remember right, the valving is different for the disk brake rear, but I can already see there is a major wiring difference between them. Not sure how to handle that yet.

My original intent was to rebuild the 5.0 as a 331 stroker, but it’s not in the budget at the moment nor do I really have the time. That said, I am open to ideas of less expensive and intensive ideas to give her a little boost until such time that I can get a motor built for it.

I also need to figure out how much of an issue it’s going to be with the VSS since it’s supposed to be different and what to do about the difference in fuel systems.

That all said, I have noticed something interesting with this Explorer. The ignition cylinder looks identical to the PATS cylinder and the key I got is the non-chip key, the spare type for a PATS key. I also get a chime when the key is out of the ignition and the door is open which makes me wonder if somehow it was a PATS system and somebody bypassed the chip key. Not sure what to look for with that other than dragging my laptop to it and see what Forscan says.
 


lil_Blue_Ford

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So tomorrow I’m going to start really digging into this project. Talked with @holyford86 tonight about it and he said he can help me out with figuring out any issues. Still would like to run a few things past @PetroleumJunkie412 since I’m thinking of doing his power steering mod plus an e-fan and whatever else I can throw in without burning too much time or money at the moment.
 

lil_Blue_Ford

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Nobody has any input? Weird...:word::lame:
 

Andrew.V

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Hi so just read your post i did a 1999 explorer to 1999 ranger swap i just swapped the dash engine bay harness then repined the harness for the rear wiring like tail lights and fuel pump that's what i did at least. for the pats question open the glove box all the way down heres a link https://www.ranger-forums.com/8-cylinder-tech-34/photo-log-pats-installation-48794/ hope that link helps the explorer one is identical in appearance. for a fan i ran this fan https://www.ebay.com/itm/16-ELECTRIC-RADIATOR-FAN-HIGH-3000-CFM-THERMOSTAT-WIRING-SWITCH-RELAY-KIT-BLACK/233364997350?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649 in the stock shroud with some homemade brackets only problem is at an idle for to long the a/c over pressured on me other then that hasten over heated yet, disclaimer it was 30 degrees Celsius . Hope that helps a bit
 

win

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05/97 5.0 likely does not have PATS so that's a plus.

Will also likely have a lower pressure fuel injection w/return system so a few challenges there.

Think the a/c wiring might be a challenge.

The brakes should be fine moving to the 8.8 disk brake axle.

Early '97 will also likely have a transmission output shaft driven VSS, solves a lot of speed signal issues that the later 5.0's bring with them to the Rangers.
 

lil_Blue_Ford

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So I got the correct ABS box for swapping axles without wiring (hopefully)

Got an electric Power Steering pump, we’ll see how this all works out.

As per @PetroleumJunkie412, I picked up an E-fan out of a Mercedes

Managed to get my hands on a returnless fuel rail, but only 5 injectors. Either have to come up with three more or buy a whole set?

Torque Monster headers are on the way...
 

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Electric power steering pump? Any reason why? The explorer pump works perfect
 

lil_Blue_Ford

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Electric power steering pump? Any reason why? The explorer pump works perfect
Going to see how feasible it is to go electric. Might be hard finding room for it but we will see. Wanted to free up room on the motor and the little power the pump takes, plus experiment a bit. One advantage to the electric one is full power steering even with the engine off. I haven’t fully committed to it in the Ranger yet, but I’m definitely going that route in my choptop, I’ve had to steer too many times with a dead motor in that.
 

PetroleumJunkie412

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Electric power steering pump? Any reason why? The explorer pump works perfect
Its just better vs belt drive. No engine bog when turning at low speed.
 

scotts90ranger

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3.73 and 31's is just fine, that's the setup I have on my 5.0L explorer right now and it works just fine, I shimmed up the LS in the back and it still works great 40k miles later...

are you going to keep the AWD setup or go full 4x4? A 4406 transfer case from a '97-03 F150 will bolt in with some drive shaft changes, front shaft from a 4.6L F150 or Expedition and I don't know on the rear, the front shaft will need a 1330 to 1310 conversion U joint though.
 

lil_Blue_Ford

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3.73 and 31's is just fine, that's the setup I have on my 5.0L explorer right now and it works just fine, I shimmed up the LS in the back and it still works great 40k miles later...

are you going to keep the AWD setup or go full 4x4? A 4406 transfer case from a '97-03 F150 will bolt in with some drive shaft changes, front shaft from a 4.6L F150 or Expedition and I don't know on the rear, the front shaft will need a 1330 to 1310 conversion U joint though.
Yeah, I would like to shim the LS. Any idea if it’s just LS in the rear axle or if it’s LS in both?

I’m intending on keeping the AWD setup. I may miss having low range from time to time, but the auto trans will help make up for it. Plus I still have my F-150, Choptop and 88 that will all be regular 4x4s. The Ranger is more of a DD/street toy that will see dirt and hauling and stuff too, but that’s because I use my toys, lol. AWD should work fine for my intended use and it’s less messing around with driveshafts and such.
 

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I have no idea on any of the 3 of mine whether they are L/S up front, but I doubt it...

The AWD T case weighs nothing and doesn't seem to drag the gas mileage down, for those uses it wouldn't be bad
 

lil_Blue_Ford

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Lightly used Torque Monster headers are here! Have to get some stuff done to the Ranger while the drivetrain is out of the way, then I can get to work on putting things together
 

PetroleumJunkie412

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Hey.




















Put a 2.9 in it.







I had to.
 

Ranger850

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One of these days, I too, will have a 5.0 AWD Ranger.
































one of these days. :(
 

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