Mountaineer Mystery

[WTF]

Need your help guys!!! Been trying to do some research on a future project to build a driver/trail truck like my B2 was before I sold it thanks to deploying. I've been looking at the later model Explorers and Mountaineers with the V8s. I've found several that are very affordable with all the options (power everything) which I've never had that luxury. The issue is that I won't buy an IFS truck and I can't verify the exact year of the TTB under the Explorer/ Mountaineer with the V8 engine. Swapping out the AWD for a full manual transfer case/ manual hubs is the plan but I can't figure out the deal with a lift kit for those trucks. You read everywhere that the Mountaineer is just a re-badged Explorer but is that really true? Is the '97 Mountaineer with the 5 liter, TTB 35 and easily swappable AWD the perfect project for me? My idea is to start out with the V8 Explorer/ Mountaineer that has a TTB 35; swap in a BW13xx series case, manual hubs, locked diff, 4'+ lift, 35s and throw in the power goodies on the engine. Maybe even just swap in the D44 solid front? Thoughts???

 

[Bent Bolt]

None of the Explorer's / Mountianeers with the 5.0 had a TTB front end. They are all torsion bar IFS.

 

[superds]

^^^Like he said.

 

[exbass94]

Explorers switched to the SLA front suspension in 1995, whereas the Ranger swtiched in 1998. The first year Ford/Mercury made the Mountaineer was in 1996. And yes, it is simply a rebadged Explorer. 1996 was also the first year the 5.0 V8 was available in Explorers/Mountaineers.

So, as the others have already said, TTB Mountaineers don't exist, and (factory-equipped) 5.0 Explorers with TTB don't exist.

 

[adsm08]

You could SAS it. That'd be one BAMF truck.