Do I REALLY need to find a complete explorer?

[74grabber]

So i currently have a explorer 5.0 engine with all front accesories on the engine stand. I also have a 1999 4.0 coil sprung ranger in the garage. What im finding in my local craigslist are boatloads of 4.0 engine explorers or 2500 dollar 5.0 explorers in the 1999-2001 year range.

From my walks in the local junkyards i see numerous almost complete explorers (but the wont sell complete at a decent price).

Is there something im missing..... would it be that much harder to just take wiring harness, computer, pats parts, exhaust, alternator wiring, fuel line, and front fan shroud???

I could see a few extra trips to junk yard for random brackets and such but it seems more cost effective this way for me.

Agree or disagree?
Just a major headache waiting to happen?

 

[adsm08]

It can be done either way. Most people go into this thinking its a bolt-in swap and have no idea what they are getting into, which makes it easier to buy a whole vehicle so you have all the parts there. If that isn't going to make things easier for you, don't do it.

 

[Ranger850]

If you already have all that, then yeah. You're still looking for a tranny and a few other pieces to make it work. But with the donor you can get all the accessories that Explorers have that Rangers don't. If that's what you want. Cost wise, you have the meat and potatoes, you're basically there.

 

[74grabber]

@Ranger850
Can i get some more clarification on what you mean about getting all the accessories that explorers have that rangers dont.

Plan was for an f150 5 speed for transmission.

I guess my biggest concern is making sure i can get it to pass obdII port emmision testing and a gas cap test. Here in AZ as long as its a 99 or newer in my situation and passes the tests im good.

 

[Ranger850]

Accessories, like rear veiw mirror with compass, center console, bucket seats. Explorers had things that were not available on Rangers, but can be transferred

 

[Craig0320]

I did my swap with a complete donor that I bought wrecked with 54k original miles on it. It is a lot easier having all the parts readily accessible, but is doable without a whole truck. You need to look at some engine swaps on the how to section here. They will provide a lot of information on what you need. I have a write up on a swap into a 98 torsion bar ranger. Fastpakr is doing a pretty much similar swap as mine.

Install - 2000 Ford Explorer 5.0 Into 1998 Ford Ranger - The Ranger Station

Submitted By: Forum Member Craig0320 Well I just finished swapping a 2000 Ford Explorer 5.0 with 54,000 original miles on it into a 1998 Ford Ranger 4.0 automatic 4×4 extended cab. I used a BW4406 manual shift transfer case out … Continued

www.therangerstation.com

Here is another good general article with more info.

Swapping An Explorer 5.0L In To A 1998-2011 Ranger - The Ranger Station

Ford Explorer 5.0L V-8 In Ford Ranger* Check your local Department of Motor Vehicles for smog & engine requirements. >Certain states, such as California, require the same year or newer engine as the vehicle. Overview: Using the Explorer 5.0L wiring, … Continued

www.therangerstation.com

 

[Drspencer5]

I, probably like you, also don't have the space. SO getting the nickel and dime stuff from the salvage yard is a non-issue for me, just make sure you grab the harnesses from the same truck. So the PATS, computer, and the harnesses I'll just grab from the same Exploder in the yard. Engine and accessories are easy enough to grab from another one in the event the original gets crushed. It's more valuable to me to find an engine I KNOW is running and pick up the accessories that can be grabbed from anything later.

 

[Ramcharger90]

I just got done 20 minutes ago pulling the 5.0 out of a 98 mountaineer for my 90 ranger I am also going to use a mod5r2 trans from an f150 but im holding onto the engine harness computer and entire dash setup for a newer body style swap down the road. But im using a fox body mass air harness and computer to run this setup and im doing a custom instrument panel. So really a different fuel rail will be needed or another line to the tank it looks like. let me tell you its not fun at all tearing down an exploder your better off cutting the rad support and unbolting the motor mounts, drive shafts, and the crossmembers for the transmission and yanking and pulling until you can get to the bell housing bolts