New here, 1999 xlt 2wd manual want to swap 5.0 HELP!

[Danger Ranger 1999]

Hello everyone, thanks for having me and thanks in advance for you help. Got the 2.5L 1999 xlt reg cab 2wd manual and want to do the 5.0 swap. Searching for the best donor vehicle. Do i stick with a 98+ and deal with PATS or earlier model and deal with fuel system differences? Also i want to maintain a manual tranmission, i realize i will need something heavier duty maybe out of a mustang or older f-150 but i also need this to tie into the 8.8 rear end that i also want to swap. Lastly ac is a concern, i am planning to just leave the compressor tied in and out of the way and hopefully just bolt it to the 302 when i drop it in... will that work? Oh and also the ecu being from a auto, what issues will i encounter hooking up to a manual transmission? Is there a harness i can buy pre-made or will i have to modify the existing one.
Thanks for all the help guys, i have very limited mechanical experience but am super excited about this project. Any and all advise is greatly appreciated

 

[Mark_88]

Hi and welcome to TRS~!

I can't answer your questions but there are others on here who can..but since this is the introduction section I would suggest checking out the engine conversion section and reading similar posts there...if you can't find what you need to do what you want then posting will get you specifics if anyone knows.

I considered the same swap at one point many years ago and have since read through a couple of threads by those who went ahead with it...

So, yes, what you want to do is probably been documented somewhere on here...if not you can start your own build thread and get the ball rolling.

If the 2.5 is still in good shape you might even be able to sell it or donate it to another member...all kinds of possibilities...

Enjoy!

 

[bobbywalter]

a 5.3 gm truck engine would be my first choice. though lower mile easily swapped units are getting tougher to find...


in your case the explorer can literally be a bolt it. so its a good way to go if you can find a low mile donor...by some miracle.


the later 90's f 150 4.2 v6 with the m5od-r2 manual trans with some drill bit massaging is a good way to go to stay manual trans. there are several builds here to read through. the big trans requires the big t case as well.


I suggest to plan on buying a tuner...moates 1/4 horse, tweecer or sct will go a long ways towards maximizing your value for this swap.

start reading swap threads...browns is excellent...ranger svt...there are dozens.

 

[CarsonRanger]

If the 2.5 is still in good shape you might even be able to sell it or donate it to another member...all kinds of possibilities...

I'd volunteer to take it off your hands. Kidding, I have a lot to learn before attempting an engine swap.

Welcome to the forums!