Explorer Body Swap

[geoph1986]

Hey everyone, I don't know where to put this post...so I figured it will be moved if there is a proper place for it.

As a few of you know, I've been wanting to upgrade the motor in my '83 Ranger 4X4. I've decided that if I swap the drivetrain out of the donor, I would also swap the dash and all wiring. Then I got the idea of a body swap. I'm currently looking at 2 donors. Both donors are 4X4 explorers (1991 & 1992), one has 4.0l, the other has 5.0l.

My question is...will my ranger body bolt to the mounts on the explorer frame? Has anyone here actually done it? I've searched & read but haven't found any definitive answer. I'm guessing that it will probably be easier to swap drivetrains, but I would like to know for sure.

 

[exbass94]

Not sure on the body mounts, but I can tell you that if those Explorers are in fact from 1991 and 92, then neither one of them has a 5.0, unless someone swapped one in. The only engine available until 1996 I believe was the 4.0.

 

[CopyKat]

Check out holeshots build on the Explanger.

 

[ZMan]

Check out holeshots build on the Explanger.

heres a link to it.. http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3497

 

[CheapThrillB2]

everything i have done/seen is that the front four match on all RBV's 85-94, but the rest on back are different and with a little fab work can be made to fit

 

[Capt Jay]

Build the Exploder.

 

[geoph1986]

Holshotracer's thread said he had to fab rear cab mounts...is that because his were shot or did they not line up? How much fab work to get the bed to fit? As long as the wheel base is the same it shouldn't be too bad...right?

I would build up the explorer, but the two I'm looking at are insurance write-offs and are listed "irrepairable" (parts only).

 

[CopyKat]

I would build up the explorer, but the two I'm looking at are insurance write-offs and are listed "irrepairable" (parts only).

You see the green 2 door on the list? The one with the engine fire damage?

 

[geoph1986]

You see the green 2 door on the list? The one with the engine fire damage?

item #248 that's one...the other I was looking at is from the previous auction.
Still wondering about the rear cab mounts for the ranger body swap.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

How about maybe putting the Ranger body on the Explorer frame? The VIN# is supposed to stay it original cab, and having an Explorer registered as a Ranger would make it kind of obvious that something isn't right. Putting a Ranger cab on BII frame seems to be all the rage now, you could be the first to do an Explorer sport.

 

[geoph1986]

How about maybe putting the Ranger body on the Explorer frame? The VIN# is supposed to stay it original cab, and having an Explorer registered as a Ranger would make it kind of obvious that something isn't right. Putting a Ranger cab on BII frame seems to be all the rage now, you could be the first to do an Explorer sport.

I want to put the Ranger body on the Explorer frame. But I'm still not sure about the rear cab mounts. Will the gen 1 Ranger cab bolt right onto an early 90's Explorer chassis? or do I have to make the rear mounts? As far as bolting the bed down, I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

 

[CheapThrillB2]

you have to build the back cab mount brackets for the ranger cab, they do not line up, and their really not that hard to fab. The bed i'm sure would take some extensive work. I think we might be working on putting a ranger bed on the Explanger, look for future posts in his build thread.

 

[geoph1986]

you have to build the back cab mount brackets for the ranger cab, they do not line up, and their really not that hard to fab. The bed i'm sure would take some extensive work. I think we might be working on putting a ranger bed on the Explanger, look for future posts in his build thread.

What material did you use for the mounts? Do you have any pics/template of the modified cab mounts?

 

[ZMan]

What material did you use for the mounts? Do you have any pics/template of the modified cab mounts?

3/16" steel plate ought to work just dandy for the application. Pretty much what you're gonna have to do is set the cab down on the frame, get the front mounts lined up and bolted down while supporting the back of the cab...and start designing your own with some cardboard so you can then transfer it to the metal.

 

[geoph1986]

3/16" steel plate ought to work just dandy for the application. Pretty much what you're gonna have to do is set the cab down on the frame, get the front mounts lined up and bolted down while supporting the back of the cab...and start designing your own with some cardboard so you can then transfer it to the metal.

Just use flat plate from the explorer frame mount to the ranger cab mount, with spacers and stuff? or are you saying build a box and put it where I need it?
To be honest I haven't actually looked at the explorer mounts, but looking at picture #8 on the chester replacment http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3497
it looks like the mount on the frame is farther forward than on the ranger.