302 swap in my 98 Ranger (help required!)

[charl0w]

Hi guys! If I'm not mistaken, this is my first post here, so I want to say hi to everybody that will take some time to help me.

P.S. : My mother tongue is french. I understand english perfectly when I read or hear it, but heck I can't formulate a damn sentence properly when I write it or when I say it, so I'm sorry for any mistake/bad translation there might be ;D

I've been reading around here for quite some time (around 5-6 months, at school, at work or at home).

I plan on swapping a 302 EFI in my 98 RWD Ranger Splash once my 4.0 blows up (it has 274k KM on it - 170k milles if you prefer ;D) or when I have enough money to swap it out (next summer, I hope?).

Nothing has been purchased yet, but I want your input.

1. I plan on buying a full 97 Explorer with a 302 in good shape (97 mainly because of the absence of the PATS system, so no problems here).
2. My truck is manual, so I plan on taking a M5OD-R2 tranny from a 97-03 F-150 with a 4.2 engine (same bolt patterns as a 5.0, hydraulic clutch with same slave cylinder and leaves the stick at almost the same place so no cutting in the floor).

What I read around :
- I can keep the same crossmember for the tranny, but it will put my tranny's rear too high, so the angle of the driving shaft will suck. I could always make one custom or modify the existing one (this can be modified, no problem here).
- I will need an oil filter adapter (no problem here, I'll buy it on the internet).
- If possible, the full explorer is better (if I need a sensor or whatever)(no problem here, I plan on buying a full one and then selling leftovers).
- I will need to modify my speed sensor (first problem).
- I will need to configure the computer so it removes the A/T part (second problem).

Now, for the computer part, I will certainly go to a tuning shop or to my local dealer to get it configured. I don't mind paying the extra buck for it to go swell and ignore the A/T part of when it was an AWD explorer

My real problem is, I didn't find any real answer as to how to make the speed sensor really work with a manual tranny in this swap (especially if I swap with a 302). I guess I will have to remove the dash & the cluster, even though I don't want to, but I can't find how! (It may be that I don't know how to search for the right thing too ;D)

Also, what you guys need to know is :

- I work in a car parts shop as a clerk. Brand new parts costs me less than used parts (except we can't buy brand new engines, trannies and things like that, although I have a discount in scrap yards).
- I don't care paying an extra 1-2k to get my swap working really good, because I don't want to waste my money in a shitty swap.
- I will be doing this myself with almost no real abilities in mechanics (I know the basics but I never really worked with my hands ;D). I will have one friend who is bright and self thought in mechanic to help me, and the various inputs of mechanics with whom I speak daily for my job, but that's about it. I will have a temporary garage in my backyard, probably (I have to ask my father when I'm ready, damn ;D), so I have no real delay to do it.
- I'm not stupid, if I can't do a thing I'll send it to a garage nearby and make them do it for me, but I'd like to do it all alone.

Things I have to do eventually
- I have to replace one leaf spring (driver side, the smallest one is broken, if I only repair it in a truck shop it's around 100$)
- My driver's seat is ripped near one hinge
- There's a body job to be done.

Things I want to do eventually
- Lowering it 2" front and 3" rear with belltech coil springs and leaf springs (I wouldn't have to replace my broken leaf spring!)

Honestly, each day I change my mind. One day, I love my truck and want to swap it to a 302 (and eventually turbo/twin turbo a modified 302, but meh.), and the other day I'd send it to a scrap yard.


Anyway, your inputs are welcome. I don't know if this makes sense to you guys. I don't want to swap anything else in any other truck, I want mine to be awesome!

- Charlo

 

[Jbrown1238]

I am currently collecting parts and knowledge to do a similar swap, 98 Ranger/01 Explorer w/ T5 5 speed. Like you I am somewhat new to a few of the obstacle like PATS. In my case I have decided to go with a 2001 Explorer set up as it seems there are less hurdles to overcome with PATS being the main hurdle. The PATS system can be flash disabled when the truck is tuned. The 01 fuel system and wiring also looked like a better match with the 98 Ranger model as well. Just something to consider. I imagine some of the "long time hands on guys" will jump in with a few more thoughts as well. I look forward to their experienced feedback.

 

[Teddyzee]

The Speedsensor/speedometer is no problem at all. Simply plug the hole in the transmission- with an extra VSS, the end of a speedometer cable, however you choose. You truck gets the speed signal from the rearend. This will function just fine after you swap the engine and trans.

A bigger issue is that your truck has a non-return fuel system, and Explorers from '96-98 used a return-style fuel system.

Your truck has no PATS, so you could simply use a '98-'01 Explorer, which has the correct fuel system for your truck, and then swap the PATS pieces to your truck, or do the fuel system modifications, whichever you deem easiest.

Welcome to the site!

Oh, and use a T5

 

[charl0w]

Damn I hadn't read about the fuel system return thing.

Does transfering the PATS / disabling it is any problem at all?

I was also wondering if my local dealership could flash/modify my computer or if they don't do any modification (I would call but I doubt the person I will talk to will be of any help to me ;D).

Also, why a T-5? It would mean that I have to convert from an hydraulic clutch to a cable one, plus I would have to cut in my floor to make the shifter come out, as where the M5R2 will be at almost the same place. Is it -really- worth it?

Lastly... I didn't understand what you said about that speedo thing!? What I read about it is that I would have to take the cluster off and slice wires off. I don't? ;D

- Charlo

 

[Teddyzee]

You don't have to touch the speedometer if you use a '99-'01 Explorer ECU in you '98. ( I just read that, I thought all Ranger speedometers were completely stand alone. Guess that only applies of to 1997)

Read more about the PATS vs the fuel system. I don't have an opinion there, I would do whichever is the simplest, or most straightforward. I CAN tell you that having PATS is very reassuring. (my car has it, not my truck)

I just mentioned the T5 in passing, because if you're building a street truck, might as well use a sporty/street transmission. They are simple to set up with a hydraulic clutch (lots of detail in my build thread, as well as sites like www.v8-ranger.com). The trimming required is about 1.5".
You can see how much I trimmed:

Old shot of the interior, showing shifter location:

 

[rangermadness]

so i need to know if the harness for my 94 4.0L efi. manual tranny, will work on an efi 302 and if not what do i need. i read the tech page on the swap but it never said anything regarding the subject

 

[Teddyzee]

My preferred method is to use a Mustang harness. Wire it into the stock Ranger harness- In your year, the main engine harness connector is a large round (white?) plug on the driver side, near the brake booster.

I plan on doing a detailed EFI wiring write-up in the next month or so, it may provide some tips.
Mustang harnesses are very simple and self-contained, combined with a wiring manual for your truck (EVTM) the wiring is not terribly difficult.