About finished with Franken5.0 time to say hello

[Franken5liter]

Well folks, my build is nearing completion. 1999 Ranger 3.0 XLT ext cab with a 2001 5.0 swap. Wow what a ride. Couldn't have gotten even half way without the help of my bro and his tenacity, talent, and his crazy ability to see cars as a Lego set for 4-6 year olds.
This place was such a gem of info. Especially when encountering non 5.0 swap specific issues.
But in terms of the swap, the existing info is pretty much spot on except for the following if using a donor Explorer 5.0:
1) The oil filter relocation kit is part of the Ex package. It already relocates the filter. If you pull the engine with block components attached, you don't need a relocation kit.
2) The power steering cooler from the Ex needs to be transplanted, the Ranger PS cooler will not work without significant modifications.
Other than that with some dogged determination, money to support about 50% more than you thought you'd spend, a bunch of PB blaster and some patience you'll be fine.
Took us 350+ man hours with no air tools no lift, no tranny jack in a 2 car garage mid to late Chicago fall.
Ranger was born in MN and lived in WI its whole life. Ex spent lifetime in IL.
Brother is a mid level warlock in terms of cars, first full drivetrain swap.
I'm a recovering military mechanic that did an ME program.
P.s. there's lots I'd do different! Starting with the base vehicles hahaha! All in all we got pretty lucky.
Ask any questions you might have, I'll do my best to get back asap.

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[Junglejoe]

AWesome... Good to see another complete. Looks great! Have you driven it get? How do you like it. Did you delete pats or hook it up?
By the way.. Is that sound deader on the floor or paint?

 

[follman8r]

Obligatory "what headers are those" question. Torque Monsters?

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[bobbywalter]

tm/obx style to be sure.

1) The oil filter relocation kit is part of the Ex package. It already relocates the filter. If you pull the engine with block components attached, you don't need a relocation kit.

you have to remember there are 4 chassis styles....actually more but for this fitment issue 4 ranger chassis. certain explorer pans dont like the ttb either.

tib 2wd,

ttb 4x4

sla coil 2wd,

sla torsion 2wd or 4x4.



that adapter wont fit all applications without being damaged off road or in the event of mount failure.



350 man hours between two guys for the first time aint bad at all. and it looks pretty good too.

 

[scotts90ranger]

I was wondering on the headers, being painted I would guess torque monsters since they're mild steel where the OBX are stainless and wouldn't need painted... If it wasn't 3X the price I would have considered torque monsters... now to find a weekend with decent weather in the winter to get my OBX installed

Looks good! I need to get my shop built so I can put some attention into some vehicles...

 

[Franken5liter]

I was wondering on the headers, being painted I would guess torque monsters since they're mild steel where the OBX are stainless and wouldn't need painted... If it wasn't 3X the price I would have considered torque monsters... now to find a weekend with decent weather in the winter to get my OBX installed

Looks good! I need to get my shop built so I can put some attention into some vehicles...

Sorry for late reply. They're OBX headers but with some extra touches. My buddy cleaned up some poor welding where primaries met the flanges. Also I didn't fully trust the Stainless because there was no cert included. Because there are literally hundreds of types of SS with varying degrees of corrosion resistance, I decided to media blast then externally did VHT ceramic paint with several coats and cured with a propane torch. Also coated the inside with internal exhaust coating from Eastwood. Also spent the extra money and used the thick copper header gaskets due to fears of the flanges not being perfectly flat.

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[Franken5liter]

I wasn'tsure on all configurationsacross all model years and option sets, but for the 96-01 AWD 5.0 exs I believe all 4x4 V6 98-00 Rangers will be a near perfect fit.

tm/obx style to be sure.







you have to remember there are 4 chassis styles....actually more but for this fitment issue 4 ranger chassis. certain explorer pans dont like the ttb either.

tib 2wd,

ttb 4x4

sla coil 2wd,

sla torsion 2wd or 4x4.



that adapter wont fit all applications without being damaged off road or in the event of mount failure.



350 man hours between two guys for the first time aint bad at all. and it looks pretty good too.

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[Franken5liter]

AWesome... Good to see another complete. Looks great! Have you driven it get? How do you like it. Did you delete pats or hook it up?
By the way.. Is that sound deader on the floor or paint?

Yes its Amazon version of DynoMat over primer. I swapped the PATS from the EX. Actually was fairly straight forward. I did a reset per a quick google search. Type B was simple. I think some other types require dealer reset or a delete altogether.
I got to drive a little but after putting into park my trans selector cable broke. Bummer but I found an OEM via Amazon that is due to arrive any day

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[Franken5liter]

OBX with VHT ceramic external paint and Eastwood internal exhaust coating

Obligatory "what headers are those" question. Torque Monsters?

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[Franken5liter]

tm/obx style to be sure.







you have to remember there are 4 chassis styles....actually more but for this fitment issue 4 ranger chassis. certain explorer pans dont like the ttb either.

tib 2wd,

ttb 4x4

sla coil 2wd,

sla torsion 2wd or 4x4.



that adapter wont fit all applications without being damaged off road or in the event of mount failure.



350 man hours between two guys for the first time aint bad at all. and it looks pretty good too.

Thank you man, was definitely a fun challenge, lots of bloody knuckles and road and frame garbage in the face. I'm entertaining an LS swapped Jimmy/Blazer. Brother wants one haha

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[Franken5liter]

Couple more recent photos... used herculiner on lower panels to hide 19 years of paint nicks and chips couple mild rust spots after being cleaned up. Also my trans selector cable broke, probably not adjusted correctly after swap so only got to drive it for a day and a half. Replacement on the way. [emoji106]

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[bruker]

How's that Herculiner holding up on the lower panels? I want to do something similar as well as around the wheel wells where the fender flares rub on the fenders.

 

[Ramcharger90]

So out of curiosity does anyone think the exploder oil filter relocation setup from that body style work in a 90 ranger 2wd? I would almost put money on it that it wont clear the steering box

 

[Franken5liter]

So out of curiosity does anyone think the exploder oil filter relocation setup from that body style work in a 90 ranger 2wd? I would almost put money on it that it wont clear the steering box

Just saw this after way too long away from this feed. Unfortunately I am way too unfamiliar with the 2WD setup to say for sure. I do remember reading that the 2WD doesn’t support the plug n play Ex 5.0 swap because of suspension issues but details escape me. Hope you were able to get an answer tho! Best of luck

 

[Franken5liter]

Well the thanksgiving break gave me a chance to address some lingering issues related to upper to lower vacuum leaks and some exhaust issues. Back in summer I found a 93 Cobra upper and lower intake, 70mm TB and a pair of GT40P heads for $500 so I jumped on it. Got the heads rebuilt, decked and a valve job for $450 a few months back at the same machine shop here in IN that built my outlaw 5.0. The Cobra intake was immediately earmarked for the outlaw 306.
Long story longer I replaced the entire top half of the engine and she is running like a top! First time ever she’s purred like this and sounds absolutely heavenly at all throttle levels. Definitely sounds like a mean little demon bee-aw! When I had her all tore down I was able to verify cross hatching still on the cylinder walls after 140k+ miles. These are absolutely durable engines... Ford sure as hell put together a great platform (Exploder 5.0) even if mileage/efficiency can’t compete with the newer direct injection designs. Here’s the pics including a shot of the Outlaw 306 with the cobra intake and my custom painted 86-93 aluminum valve covers.