Couple questions for an 03 4.0 to 5.0 swap

[Broosedamoose]

I am looking to swap a 5.0 into my 2003 4.0 Ranger. I see there is an issue getting the speedometer to work but not many solutions. Can anyone explain what the options are? Also, the transfer case seems to be an issue. Would a BW13-54 out of an earlier Ford Explorer Sport 4x4 work? What about one from a Sport Trac 4x4?

 

[RangerSVT]

Your options for tcases are the 4406(ill be using the 1356 from a bronco and swapping my shift motor from my original 1354 to keep it simple, getting ready to v8 my 02 sport trac) or the awd case ( what I'm currently running on my ranger)...as far as speedo, it depends on what tcase you run, but iirc your speeding runs off the vss in the rear axle, not the one located in the tcase...

SVT

 

[Broosedamoose]

I need to do some more digging. I am just missing something on the T-case cuz I don't understand why it can't be used. Do it simply not fit? Seems odd that practically everything else is a direct swap. Not that I am disagreeing it's just that when I don't understand something it drives me nuts! As for the speedometer, I don't get that either. Why does the T-case matter if the raw data comes from the rear axle? Can I just pull the speedometer out of the Explorer? I mean, if I am pulling the engine, tranny, rear axle, PATS, and the PCM the signal going to the Speedometer will be the same as it was in the Explorer right? What am I missing here?

Thanks!

 

[RangerSVT]

Ranger frame is narrower than explorer and much narrower the full size trucks. The full size tcases (except the np 205) are much wider than rbv cases. Mods are required to fit full size cases in rbv frames...the speedo is all electronic, so swapping parts won't always work...

SVT

 

[Broosedamoose]

Yea, the BW13-54 did look kind of oblong and bulky. I am going to stick with the F-150 and the adapter kit. I really wish the was some kind of write up on the speed! I read on another board about using some module and a GEM from a 2.9 to get it to work. I know others have done it but there's not much explaining how to do it. I figured if I swapped everything from the Explorer it would work. If anyone knows of a tech article on this please let me know. Thank you!

 

[Broosedamoose]

After reading a lot of stuff on this swap I am wondering if it is worth it! I'm not looking to take my truck to the track but I was hoping the putting a 5.0L would make it faster than what it is. Apparently, the swap alone does not seem to make much of a difference as compared to the 4.0L SOHC. I have a 99 Explorer as a donor to start with. I plan to completely rebuild the motor. Are there any simple changes I could make in the rebuild kit that would make a noticable SOTP difference in my truck, aside from turbos, blowers, nitrous, etc.?

 

[RangerSVT]

Don't go by hp ratings. When I did my V8 swap in my ranger, I was extremely happy, which is why I did my V8 swap for my sport trac. You will run into wiring issues (I'm going throught that now) with using the 99 ex as a donor. If you transplant the entire engine bay harness AND dash harness including steering column (electrical at least), you shouldn't have a problem. Read both my build threads (first post on both) it will answer a lot of the questions you have...
SVT