Starting Out Questions

[Ranger850]

What is the optimal Explorer/Mountaineer for my 2001 2wd Ford Ranger Edge. I want to keep 2wd, or maybe AWD, and want to convert as much as possible to the Ranger.

 

[Craig0320]

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/5_0_swap_in_newer_ranger.html
Read this

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

2wd 2001 if you want to stay 2wd. AWD 2001 if you want AWD.

It isn't a simple thing to change the trans from 2wd to AWD/4wd or vice versa.

 

[Craig0320]

You have to completely disassemble the 4r70w and change the 2wd output shaft to a 4wd output shaft. I got lucky and a local transmission guy put a shaft in mine with parts for 75.00. But that is a really really good deal.

 

[Ranger850]

thanx Craig0320. That will help a lot. And I was thinking if the Explorer/Mountaineer is AWD, I could just convert Motor and Transmission into my Ranger, Making it AWD. or could I omit the AWD case and keep it 2WD, for cool burnouts and stuff.

 

[Ranger850]

Are there any parts from Sport Tracs, besides rims, that convert to Ranger. Is it a RBV?

 

[Craig0320]

thanx Craig0320. That will help a lot. And I was thinking if the Explorer/Mountaineer is AWD, I could just convert Motor and Transmission into my Ranger, Making it AWD. or could I omit the AWD case and keep it 2WD, for cool burnouts and stuff.

You need a transmission tail housing and output shaft from a 2WD to do it right. Or just do not put the front drive shaft in and save time and money and you have a 2wd I put a bw4406 manual transfer case in my ranger when I did the swap. It came out of a 02 f150. You will have to build a custom trans mount but everything is much beefier.
I know up to 05 the front seat will fit out of the sport tracs. If you have a donor explorer you will have the parts you need anyways.

 

[Ranger850]

Thanks Craig.

 

[Craig0320]

No problem.

 

[Ranger850]

So the sport trac and Ranger do NOT share that many parts? That sucks because my Pick-n-Pull just got a buttload (5) shipped in with plenty of parts still on them.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

So the sport trac and Ranger do NOT share that many parts? That sucks because my Pick-n-Pull just got a buttload (5) shipped in with plenty of parts still on them.

It is based on the Explorer. Rear 31 8.8 spline axle can be made to fit although unlike an Explorer of the same year it has drum brakes. Front axle parts can be good to delete PVH hubs if you have those. I think some swap the instrument cluster since it looks sportier, I have read of some swapping to a Sport Trac front clip for something different. No idea how involved that is though.

 

[Ranger850]

10-4