1997 explorer 5.0 in a 95 4x4 ranger

[erikm]

have all the parts gathered and engine is ready to go in. get some things caught up in the shop and its on.

going to try and and use shorty '89 mustang headers... will be making my own engine support/crossmember so we will see how it fits.

 

[RangerSVT]

You will love it after the swap, check out my build thread to give you a heads up, everything is in the first post, and our trucks are identical body wise and electrical wise...

SVT

 

[erikm]

You will love it after the swap, check out my build thread to give you a heads up, everything is in the first post, and our trucks are identical body wise and electrical wise...

SVT

thanks...i have read and re-read your thread front to back a couple of times.

exhaust is the only thing i have not worked out.

and i did compare trans out put to transfer case input that i have in my inventory at work, seems that 4.0 ranger explorer are the same but when go to 5.0 trans they grow to 1-3/8 shaft.... so i need to get a 5.0 transfer case.

will the explorer part time case work with my electrical??

 

[RangerSVT]

The part time case will not work with your electrical system. There are a couple ways around this. If you use a manual Tcase, swap out the gem with the one from your v8 ex donor. If you plan to use an electric Tcase, you can install your 54 shift motor into the full size case(like the 56) and it will operate it...

SVT

 

[erikm]

The part time case will not work with your electrical system. There are a couple ways around this. If you use a manual Tcase, swap out the gem with the one from your v8 ex donor. If you plan to use an electric Tcase, you can install your 54 shift motor into the full size case(like the 56) and it will operate it...

SVT

so i need f150 1356 electric shift tcase, and front drive shaft from explorer

what did you do for your rear shaft? i have a one now out of a 98- ranger

thanks

 

[RangerSVT]

For both trucks (96 ranger and 02 sport trac) I used the stock shafts front and rear(the ranger was upgraded with the 02+ one piece shaft, I used a 98 shaft at first, but the aluminum twisted the ear off about 2 weeks after install. IIRC, 01+ uses steel, not aluminum like the 98-00). But I also used the stock AWD tcases too. I tried using the 1356 on my ST, but it ended up contacting the frame. So I ended up using the AWD (4404) case for now, and will go with a 4406 electric case. I removed my shift motor from my stock 54 case, and installed it on the 56 case so I can have factory working controls of my tcase. There have been quite a few explorer owners that wanted the ability to have a low range case, and have swapped out the 4406 from an F150/expedition into there ex with success. I have not measured them, but suspect the 4406 is narrower than the 56, but it is quite long and has a slip yoke. My plan is to see if I can adapt the 56's fixed yoke in place of the slip yoke.
There has been ranger owners that have used the 56 with V8 swaps, but if you go the 56 route, make sure you get one out of a bronco instead of the trucks. Reason being is the trucks have a rear slip yoke output, the bronco's have a shorter fixed yoke.

SVT

 

[erikm]

For both trucks (96 ranger and 02 sport trac) I used the stock shafts front and rear(the ranger was upgraded with the 02+ one piece shaft, I used a 98 shaft at first, but the aluminum twisted the ear off about 2 weeks after install. IIRC, 01+ uses steel, not aluminum like the 98-00). But I also used the stock AWD tcases too. I tried using the 1356 on my ST, but it ended up contacting the frame. So I ended up using the AWD (4404) case for now, and will go with a 4406 electric case. I removed my shift motor from my stock 54 case, and installed it on the 56 case so I can have factory working controls of my tcase. There have been quite a few explorer owners that wanted the ability to have a low range case, and have swapped out the 4406 from an F150/expedition into there ex with success. I have not measured them, but suspect the 4406 is narrower than the 56, but it is quite long and has a slip yoke. My plan is to see if I can adapt the 56's fixed yoke in place of the slip yoke.
There has been ranger owners that have used the 56 with V8 swaps, but if you go the 56 route, make sure you get one out of a bronco instead of the trucks. Reason being is the trucks have a rear slip yoke output, the bronco's have a shorter fixed yoke.

SVT

ok...located stock awd tcase that matches donor vehicle and i have a front drive shaft for an 01 f250sd that i am going to shorten to the cherokee front shaft i have now(had to use it for the sas swap, 2" longer than ranger shaft)

so i use my 1354 tcase shift motor and all is good?

 

[RangerSVT]

The 4404 (stock AWD case) don't use a shift motor, its a single speed case...

SVT

 

[erikm]

engine/trans installed..... think i can get the mustang headers to fit with a custom steering shaft and a little trimming here and there. used the ranger trans mount and frame bracket with a spacer plate. got to figure out the heater hoses and radiator, then it is time for exhaust.

pics to come soon

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

engine/trans installed..... think i can get the mustang headers to fit with a custom steering shaft and a little trimming here and there. used the ranger trans mount and frame bracket with a spacer plate. got to figure out the heater hoses and radiator, then it is time for exhaust.

pics to come soon

Different headers that perform and fit better are not that expensive, I think mine were something like $170.

If the DS header is the problem 94-95 Mustangs used a header that will drop in and fit perfect. The PS still points at the frame the same as all the Foxbody Mustang headers do.

 

[erikm]

Different headers that perform and fit better are not that expensive, I think mine were something like $170.

If the DS header is the problem 94-95 Mustangs used a header that will drop in and fit perfect. The PS still points at the frame the same as all the Foxbody Mustang headers do.

shortened a jeep cherokee steering shaft and adapted it to the ranger column, drivers side fits good. notched the frame on the passenger side for pipe fitment.

got the "ufit" dual kit from speedway motors...time to start welding the exhaust together

headers were free... BBK shorties for 89-93 mustang.....local exhaust shop made me some down tubes to connect to the headers...for free(nice to have friends in the business)

and thanks to rangersvt for the great write up and input

 

[erikm]

down to fitting exhaust and finding a lower radiator hose that will fit

 

[RangerSVT]

down to fitting exhaust and finding a lower radiator hose that will fit

I used a mustang lower trimmed to fit, but I found a 99 5.0 ex lower will work when i did my sport Trac swap...

SVT

 

[erikm]

I used a mustang lower trimmed to fit, but I found a 99 5.0 ex lower will work when i did my sport Trac swap...

SVT

used the mustang lower hose, had to cut it in half and splice it together...all is good after i got the oil pressure thing figured out, had to swap in-out hoses on remote adapter to make it work...crazy.

drove it home from the shop tonight, what a blast to drive!!! love it!!!



btw.....what shocks did you use? need to level out the ride and noticed you have air shocks front and rear where did you get them??

 

[erikm]

runs and drives great... except for a pesky check engine light. keeps popping codes P0453 and P0443.