5.0 EFI upgrades

[fastpakr]

I've got a list somewhere of all the parts I ordered for my 4R70W based on some posts on EF. But I still haven't gotten around to actually installing them, so I can't give that much feedback. Servos, pistons, etc were definitely on the list. It shifts well in general, though I wish it were less hesitant to downshift. Sometimes I have to put my foot way into it, then suddenly it drops twice and I make the jump to hyperspace.

 

[scotts90ranger]

I'll ask... It wasn't anything fancy I don't think.

My buddy is a GM guy but even he admits the 4R70W is a good trans and is better than the 4L60E (GM equivalent), he said he would not have supported my venture if I even thought of using a 4L explorer because of the 5R55 trans, he doesn't trust those for hard use...

 

[19Walt93]

It is kinda hilly here, but I’m not expecting it to be a problem. My first Ranger had 3.73s and it went just fine. Heck, my choptop has 4.10s and 35s. Now 3.08 or maybe 3.45 might be a problem, my F-150 came with 3.08 and one of the best things I did was change it to 3.55

I've gone to Carlisle for the Ford show almost every year since 97 and drove across Pa many times when my daughter lived in Bellefonte, "kinda hilly" probably fits, it ain't like NH or VT. Regardless, 4.10's will make it feel more powerful without spending money to modify the engine and the transmission will live longer because it will downshift less and mileage will suffer less than you think. Especially since you already have 4.10's and would have to spend money to change them.

 

[fastpakr]

I agree with Walt for what it's worth. No way in the world I'd change to 3.73 for better fuel economy, especially when modifying an engine for more power and almost certainly pushing that power -higher- in the RPM range at least a little bit.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

The 3.73 limited slip axles came from my donor truck, so cost is a non-issue realistically. My current rear axle has a few issues anyway. I could be wrong, but I don’t really see a problem with 3.73 especially if I’m modifying things. Truck is supposed to be more a playtoy rather than a hauler. I have bigger trucks for the grunt work

 

[fastpakr]

It just seems like you're shooting yourself in the foot by working on engine performance at the same time as going the opposite direction with gearing.

Edit - remind me, what vehicle is this going in?

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

It just seems like you're shooting yourself in the foot by working on engine performance at the same time as going the opposite direction with gearing.

Edit - remind me, what vehicle is this going in?

My green 2000 Ranger, the 4x4 I own, lol. I figure if that gearing was fine for the Explorer, it will do fine in the Ranger that is likely lighter

 

[fastpakr]

I've got a 7.5/4.10 open axle out of my '99 Ranger that you're welcome to if you want it. There was nothing wrong with it, I just switched to a 31 spline Explorer axle in the middle of all my swapping parts around.

 

[O No 3.0!]

As a long time ford hotrodder, i can tell you all the cheap (er) easy things to make some power with a 5.0.
If you are going to put a performance cam in it, with stock heads, i would go with a comp xe258. Its 544 lift & 208 216 @ .050. Its a good cam with low to midrange power, but if you retard it 4* it will pull to 6500+. In your case i would advance it 4* for more low end.
Underdrive pulleys are next on the list, they free up 10+hp on a v8.
Electric fan is a good 5+ if you can run one.
Throttle body & mass air. More air in = more power.
Roller rockers are another good option, although not exactly cheap.
Last but probably the biggest is probably porting the heads. Look up Terry Grover on youtube. Guy has an unorthodoxed approach to head work, but his stuff works & he shows how to work stock heads in ways that nobody else will show you. His sons stock block, stock crank/rods/pistons/ stock e7 heads mustang runs 9s with a small nitrous shot.
Hope this helps.

 

[19Walt93]

The 3.73 limited slip axles came from my donor truck, so cost is a non-issue realistically. My current rear axle has a few issues anyway. I could be wrong, but I don’t really see a problem with 3.73 especially if I’m modifying things. Truck is supposed to be more a playtoy rather than a hauler. I have bigger trucks for the grunt work

Since it's a 4x4 you'll obviously need to swap both front and rear. Before doing that. install the 3.73 rear if you want to, stay out of 4x4 and drive it a few days to see how you like it. If it does what you want, swap in the front end. If you're disappointed with the 3.73's like I think you'll be, overhaul the 4.10 rear and swap it back in. If you're going with taller tires just overhaul the 4.10 rear.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

As a long time ford hotrodder, i can tell you all the cheap (er) easy things to make some power with a 5.0.
If you are going to put a performance cam in it, with stock heads, i would go with a comp xe258. Its 544 lift & 208 216 @ .050. Its a good cam with low to midrange power, but if you retard it 4* it will pull to 6500+. In your case i would advance it 4* for more low end.
Underdrive pulleys are next on the list, they free up 10+hp on a v8.
Electric fan is a good 5+ if you can run one.
Throttle body & mass air. More air in = more power.
Roller rockers are another good option, although not exactly cheap.
Last but probably the biggest is probably porting the heads. Look up Terry Grover on youtube. Guy has an unorthodoxed approach to head work, but his stuff works & he shows how to work stock heads in ways that nobody else will show you. His sons stock block, stock crank/rods/pistons/ stock e7 heads mustang runs 9s with a small nitrous shot.
Hope this helps.

I’ll have to check that all out, sounds worthy. Not sure what throttle body and mass air options I have. I wanted to try and do electric power steering and electric fan. I got a fan but I’m not sure if it will work and I got an electric power steering pump but I haven’t found a place to mount it yet short of putting it under the bed. Hoping that after I get the motor set in that I can get a better idea of what space I have to work with. I’ll need the alternator cranking out all it has if I’m going all electric with that stuff plus everything else on this thing so I’m not sure underdrive pulleys will work out well.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Since it's a 4x4 you'll obviously need to swap both front and rear. Before doing that. install the 3.73 rear if you want to, stay out of 4x4 and drive it a few days to see how you like it. If it does what you want, swap in the front end. If you're disappointed with the 3.73's like I think you'll be, overhaul the 4.10 rear and swap it back in. If you're going with taller tires just overhaul the 4.10 rear.

If anything, I’m going smaller on tires. This isn’t supposed to be an off-road toy, I have other trucks for that. 3.73 front has been serviced with new seals and stuff and is already partly in the truck. I’ll hang onto the 4.10 stuff but I’m not expecting to put it back in the truck. I do need to figure out what clutch disks I need for the rear axle though so I can service that. Seems there’s short ear and long ear clutch disks and I can’t find anything that says which an explorer 8.8” uses. Need to find a diff cover too. I have everything else except brake cables and pads to service the rear.

 

[fastpakr]

If anything, I’m going smaller on tires. This isn’t supposed to be an off-road toy, I have other trucks for that. 3.73 front has been serviced with new seals and stuff and is already partly in the truck. I’ll hang onto the 4.10 stuff but I’m not expecting to put it back in the truck. I do need to figure out what clutch disks I need for the rear axle though so I can service that. Seems there’s short ear and long ear clutch disks and I can’t find anything that says which an explorer 8.8” uses. Need to find a diff cover too. I have everything else except brake cables and pads to service the rear.

You need a rebuild kit for an explorer axle limited slip?

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

You need a rebuild kit for an explorer axle limited slip?

Yeah, I have no idea what condition the limited slip is in that’s in the axle, but since I’m intending on doing a full service of the axle before it goes in, I want to pack it with some extra clutches. My choptop has a factory limited slip done like that and I love it. My F-150 I put a lock-right in and I still have mixed feelings about that. It works great for what I use the truck for, but it has lousy road manners compared to the packed factory limited slip. Not at all a fan of open axles around here and the way my trucks get used. I tried looking around and BroncoGraveyard has listings for short and long ear clutches but doesn’t give any indication of what the Explorer axle would have. Other listings I’ve found other places don’t specify which are which either and appear to be more expensive if it’s a specific kit for the Explorer

 

[fastpakr]

I have one on a shelf that I'll never use. I'll try to remember later to get you some info on it.