96-99 5.0L Explorer Rad "Fits"

[MV8]

Hello,
I guess I'm the new guy.
I was a member on the old forum. I've had several v8 Rangers, swapping a 302 into my first one in 1988.

I'm posting because there seems to be some question as to whether the 96-99 Explorer 5.0L radiator can be made to fit. I made a few search attempts and found 4.0L Explorer radiators but I didn't see any 5.0L ones.

I installed one in my 83, with Ford Contour v6 dual fans. I've had a lot of different radiators over the years and they've always come up short in traffic.

The contour fans flow close to as much as the well known taurus single fan the mustang guys use, but they are thinner.

I used load rated pvc grommets from Mcmaster Carr for isolation mounts.

I used a hack saw blade to gently remove all protrusions from the end tanks, mounting the radiator by the aluminum flanges on the top and bottom.

I used several pieces of pipe, my old upper hose, and a new explorer v8 hose (which is U shaped) to route the coolant around the lincoln ac compressor. It would have been much easier without the compressor in the way.

I also had to cut everthing out below the radiator and hang a angle iron bracket between the frame rails. The load grommets just sit in holes on the iron, so relative movement between the frame and the body has not been an issue. I'm still on the original body mounts.

The iron also supports the condenser, which has been moved as forward as possible, very close to the sheet metal panel below the grill.

For clearance to remove and install the radiator and fans, I notched the upper core support and added another piece of angle iron with .125" x 2" plates on each end.

The fans attach to the radiator through .125" strips bolted to the ends of the core, with tabs that bolt to the contour shroud trimmed to fit closely without gaps to the core.

The whole thing was tedious but it doesn't ever run hot anymore, and thats with only one fan hooked up. I'm using a Chevy Citation AC temp switch because of the low temp that it comes on at. The switch uses a single wire, GM style knock sensor connector.

The truck has a carbed 5.0L with a C4. I added AC, using a combo of ranger and lincoln parts. I didn't do anything to the heater control. I'll either add a toggle switch to cut on the compressor or upgrade to a recirculating AC panel and box.

If this has already been done and covered, let me know. Otherwise, I can provide pics of everything if there is interest.


Steve

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Pics would be great if you have them.

What did you do for a tranny cooler?

 

[MV8]

I removed the fittings that come with the radiator. It is pipe thread where it goes into the cooler. I used a reducer with male and female pipe thread, then a fitting with male pipe and female inverted flare to fit the standard hard line.
The only problem is the inverted flare side is not threaded the full depth of the cavity. The lines will screw in okay and seem tight, but will leak.

The cure is to bring the line to a bench grinder and carefully remove one or two threads from the fitting on the premade line; then the fitting can clamp fully and not run out of threads.

http://home.earthlink.net/~miatav7/

I'll take some more pics today and get them published.

 

[Maverick00]

Thanks for the info, pictures look great! Im thinking about using the rad out of an lincoln mark vii but have yet to compare the dimensions with the explorer one.

 

[MV8]

Thanks!
It isn't perfect or beautiful but it works.

I had to turn the battery sideways too. I built it to fit my old battery which had top and side posts. It went bad so then I find out they don't make them anymore, so it doesn't quite fit.

The paint is a two part epoxy for garage floors that I mix in small batches with graduated painter's cups and brush on. Be sure to use the solvent based versus water based on bare metal. I made that mistake once.