Found my wife a new truck!

[North Idaho 5.oh]

I know it’s been a while on this thread, but I got the drivetrain out and I am currently in the process of pulling the 5.0 apart to re seal it.
Anyone that knows these 5.0’s knows what I am saying when I say “THESE BOLTS SUCK!”
The 4 bolts to the left and right of the water pump and the R/Flower intake bolt… all 5 of them snapped and it took me 4.5 hours to get them extracted, but I was successful on all 5.
The oxy acetylene torch was my best friend for the whole process.

 

[rubydist]

Yeah, it sure would have been nice if they had put a gasket on the waterpump that actually kept the coolant out of those bolts!

 

[North Idaho 5.oh]

And the journey continues with stuff getting stuck! When pulling the spark plugs, one of them decided to break off in the head! Any ideas on extracting this ?

 

[North Idaho 5.oh]

I have had success! Shortly after I posted this I ended up pulling the head and got it out with heat and an easy out! Lol good day!

 

[wildbill23c]

I agree that it needs a V8!

I think in certain configurations you could get them with the 4.6L V8. Adrenaline model had the V8 I believe. So they're already out there with V8's in them.

 

[North Idaho 5.oh]

I think in certain configurations you could get them with the 4.6L V8. Adrenaline model had the V8 I believe. So they're already out there with V8's in them.

Up until 2005 they were all offered with the 4.0 SOHC v6 and solid rear axle.
After that they were offered with either 4.6 V8 OR the 4.0 V6 but had independent rear suspension (IRS) …. I went for newest year I could find with the lowest miles and ended up with this truck. I prefer the 302 for obvious reasons but the 4.6 is a mean son of a gun

 

[wildbill23c]

Up until 2005 they were all offered with the 4.0 SOHC v6 and solid rear axle.
After that they were offered with either 4.6 V8 OR the 4.0 V6 but had independent rear suspension (IRS) …. I went for newest year I could find with the lowest miles and ended up with this truck. I prefer the 302 for obvious reasons but the 4.6 is a mean son of a gun

Mustang 302 I assume since they were fuel injected by then wouldn't be too hard of a swap into an Explorer seems how they had the 302 option in the late 90's early 00's Explorers, not sure why they never offered that combo in the Sport Trac.
I have the 4.6L in my 08 Explorer, but kind of dislike the independent suspension...and apparently they love to eat wheel bearings LOL.

 

[North Idaho 5.oh]

Mustang 302 I assume since they were fuel injected by then wouldn't be too hard of a swap into an Explorer seems how they had the 302 option in the late 90's early 00's Explorers, not sure why they never offered that combo in the Sport Trac.
I have the 4.6L in my 08 Explorer, but kind of dislike the independent suspension...and apparently they love to eat wheel bearings LOL.

I just used a 2000 explorer as a donor truck. The 302 that they stuffed into the explorer is a natural fit for the sport trac. Only things that need modification is the exhaust, drive shafts and some wiring. (Will be sure to document everything best I can)

 

[North Idaho 5.oh]

I don’t know if anyone has done this, but I think I have a solution.
Has anyone ever put a super lift on a sport trac?I know the rear needs a spring over conversion and that’s not a huge deal… I need help with the front differential bracket… specifically the one that had the long “arm” that bolts on about a foot down the frame. Does anyone know if super lift has a part for this? Or do I have to cut and weld?

 

[North Idaho 5.oh]

As with everyone else I’m trying to use all my free time to work on my wife’s truck and my sons bronco lol spreading myself thin.
I installed the exhaust manifolds (cast) and did
O-rings on the injectors and a few other odds and end things before planting the engine. I have before and after pics! Had to move the factory power steering cooler out of the way since the oil pan would hit once the transmission was installed. As far as the drop bracket for the front differential, we are probably going to cut the rear diff mount from the frame of another truck and weld it on to mine and use the super lift drop bracket as it was intended for a ranger instead. Not there yet, but we are getting there!

 

[North Idaho 5.oh]

Cut a mount off one sport trac that is a parts donor and welded it onto the 05 since this lift is for a ranger we had to modify things slightly. Gonna have to do a spring over in the rear, but that’s gonna happen when we get the perches.

 

[Josh B]

You are doing one heluvajob there man

 

[scotts90ranger]

If you haven't ordered perches yet, receiver tube is pretty available anymore and makes really nice perches with a hole saw for the tube diameter...

 

[North Idaho 5.oh]

If you haven't ordered perches yet, receiver tube is pretty available anymore and makes really nice perches with a hole saw for the tube diameter...

Unfortunately I already got perches, but hey they were only $40 shipped so I can’t complain all that much. Super stout perches from Barnes 4x4 …. Same perched from ruff stuff but $20 cheaper

 

[North Idaho 5.oh]

Trying to divide my time so I can get some other projects done so here is another small update …
Got the transmission stabbed and torque converter nuts on and torqued.
Also, the driver side control arm needed to be replaced so I went ahead and did that too.