Best Donor Vehicle?

[The Slider]

I am thinking about getting ready to do a 2.9l to a 5.0 swap. I have a Automatic and want to keep it automatic. What is the BEST vehicle to get most of your parts you would need to for the swap?

Thanks!
Chaz.

 

[whwaufmaio]

I think it totally depends on what you want to do with it. could be totally wrong, but probably the Exploder is the "simplest", I went with the SN95 because it was cheap and available and had the T5 trans I wanted.

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[85_Ranger4x4]

Explorer can get you both engine and trans (2wd's are not common but out there) and rear axle. And are cheap.

SN95 I would suspect you would have to about run into a wreck to get one cheap.

Explorer has a better intake and slightly better belt system. SN/fox/80's land yacht would probably be closer to your truck electronically.

It is going to depend somewhat and what you want to do with it the thing too...

 

[The Slider]

I'm not looking for SUPER SPEED. Just something BETTER than that horrible gutless 2.9l.. SO If i find and explorer 4WD (because mine is 4WD) That is the best? Sounds good to me! Mine is a 1986 Auto 4WD.. What year Explorer would you recommend?

Thanks!
Chaz.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I know the later ones have PATS which complicates the swap a little.

They didn't make a 4wd 5.0 Explorer, they were either AWD or 2wd. You can put a '150 t-case on the trans though.

I am not a big guru on late model engine swaps, my truck was original carbed so I ripped the intake and dizzy out of my crown vic engine and slapped on a 4bbl intake and Duraspark dizzy. A fuel injection swap would be a lot easier in your truck.

 

[whwaufmaio]

I know the later ones have PATS which complicates the swap a little.

They didn't make a 4wd 5.0 Explorer, they were either AWD or 2wd. You can put a '150 t-case on the trans though.

I am not a big guru on late model engine swaps, my truck was original carbed so I ripped the intake and dizzy out of my crown vic engine and slapped on a 4bbl intake and Duraspark dizzy. A fuel injection swap would be a lot easier in your truck.

I converted my H.O to carb, don't like computers and I'm too impatient to go through wiring everything.

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[Craig0320]

You can have pats tuned out of the pcm with a custom tune.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I converted my H.O to carb, don't like computers and I'm too impatient to go through wiring everything.

You are going to be doing that either way. 7 years and I finally got the last of the extra 2.8 wiring out of mine.

You can have pats tuned out of the pcm with a custom tune.

Yeah, it is an extra step though.

 

[Craig0320]

Yeah, it is an extra step though.

It is not that big of a deal when everything is an extra step installing an engine into something where it wasn't originally supposed to be.

 

[BlackBII]

95-97 5.0 Explorer won't have PATS, and it already has the compact accessories that will fit more easily in the Ranger engine bay.

You could also consider a 4.0 swap; it will bolt into the place of the 2.9 and give you more power.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

It is not that big of a deal when everything is an extra step installing an engine into something where it wasn't originally supposed to be.

You have to send it off and they do it and send it back... its all greek to me.

95-97 5.0 Explorer won't have PATS, and it already has the compact accessories that will fit more easily in the Ranger engine bay.

You could also consider a 4.0 swap; it will bolt into the place of the 2.9 and give you more power.

96-97, 5.0 wasn't available in '95.

First gen Explorer would be a good donor for a 4.0. You get the engine, trans, t-case and both axles out of one carcass. Possibly bucket seats and console too if you are so inclined. For a second gen you lose the front axle but everything else would be similar for interchangeability. Avoid the SOHC, in addition to reliability issues it is a more complex swap into a first gen.

I think I have heard rumblings the 4.0 is kinda different going into a first gen too, not as nice as going into a second but not impossible either.