The Time Has Finally Come for SVT

[RangerSVT]

After over 2 years of researching and about a year of parts collecting, I am finally starting my 97 explorer V8 swap into my 96 ranger 4x4, SVT. Since this seems to be an oddball combination, I will be doing a complete writeup since there is none. There are writeups for prior to 95, and after 97, but not really any info for 95-97 swaps, so this is mine. I am performing a complete swap including factory AC
What I know...
The motor, harness, battery harness, AC lines, PS pressure lines are needed from the donor. The motor mounts probably won't fit, as the 95-97 and 98+ mounts are different, but I have a set or 71 ford mounts I'm pretty sure will work, I know they work on a GEN 1, guessing they should for GEN 3...I did find out the AC lines going to the condensor are different styles, to make things easier, I will also swap the condensor from the explorer. AC lines from the AC compressor line up perfectly with the dryer, exact same spot. Low side AC compressor line goes to condensor...Heater hoses are cake, they are in the same spot. I'm not using the factory mechanical fan, i'm going with Taurus 2 speed E-fan, have the fan, but got to get the controller kit. To ease future removal of transmission cooling lines, I'm changing the design and going to AN style fittings on both the trans side and the rad side, will also add an external cooler AND external filter for ease of servicing. Same on Power Steering lines, will get a cooler and filter ( have almost completely redesigned the PS system, added 2 more units and almost a gallon and a half more capacity [I'm gonna need it!] ) Will be fabbing a custom trans mount in prepps for stage 2 (SAS) I will use the exp auto trans and for now the exp Tcase, I have several options, including building a 2 speed case out of the AWD exp case, swapping a Dana 20, using the ranger's 54, or a combination of these (READ - Doubler)
What I don't know...
The evap canister...the donor is in the back, ranger in the front, I'm thinking of staying with the ranger setup, Not worried about emissions here, so its low on the list. However, since the donor was already half apart when I got it, I had trouble tracing and locating the plug for it, still haven't traced it down yet. The entire engine bay harness (headlight harness) is removed with the exception of engine operating harness, which is atop the motor. The fuel lines on the V8 look a little short to reach the ranger fuel lines, however, I think I can move the ranger lines a little to make em reach...Not sure what I'm gonna do about the airbox/intake yet, I know I don't want a factory setup, will figure it out when I get to it...
I originally was planning to do this swap in a day's time, but when I realized just how much is different, decided to take it slow and do a complete breakdown and writeup to help others considering a swap for this year...
Any questions, comments, suggestions?? I will start a complete build thread After I am done with the install so everything is together and not spread out over 50 pages...
SVT

 

[COPPERHEAD85]

Quit yer yakkin on here and get on it!
Should be a great build!
I know you have been planning this for a while.

 

[Frank The Tank]

About time, I've been hearing about this nitrous'd blown diesel combination swap for a long while.

Frank

 

[RangerSVT]

Well, she ain't gonna be diesel (not yet anyways!), but I'm not commenting on the other two...
SVT

 

[Dalpilot]

About time, I've been hearing about this nitrous'd blown diesel combination swap for a long while.

Frank

I think I have heard of that one.

 

[RangerSVT]

Update, after a few but long hours ( under 3 hours total ), the donor motor, trans, Tcase, ECU, harness, Cruise motor/cable, and condensor are pulled. I will separate the trans from the motor to change the rear main seal, as it looks like it will need it. Not much progress til monday, I might get the donor out of the garage and SVT in, but thats it due to Turkey Bay weekend. Stay tuned!!
SVT

 

[dangerranger83]

Lots of great details and descriptions but we all want pics of this progress.

 

[RangerSVT]

I'm only doing a timeline here, once I'm finished I will start a build thread with full pics...I'm doing it this way so all my info will be on the first page rather than spread through 50 or so pages...
SVT

 

[RangerSVT]

We had a blast at Turkey Bay this weekend, but back to work...Got the donor out of the garage monday, drove SVT in and started getting the motor, trans, and tcase out. In the process of pulling the radiator and condensor, with the help of Jay'94 we figured out how I am going to do the AC, gonna stay with the ranger condensor as I will only have to get one line made, actually I will just need to switch the ends off each hose from the explorer to the ranger. With the out of the way I was about 20 minutes from having the drivetrain out when I got a big fire call, a major explosion at the TVA steam plant, turned out one of the main transformers blew and was on fire. 3 counties were called in as well as the EMA from the same 3 counties, TEMA was called, and also Pilmyra Volunteer Fire Dept was called. All in all, we had over 3/4 of my county's personnel there, and about 30 addititional personnel there....Soooo needless to say I didn't get the drivetrain out, but I have another day off work so it will be out and should have the V8 at least in the truck by today...Stay Tuned
SVT

 

[RangerSVT]

Okay, got a pretty productive day today...I got the ranger engine out, found out the explorer steel plates used for the mounts are too wide for the ranger rubber mounts...It looks real close to using the explorer rubber and steel plate mounts in the ranger X-member, but I didn't go to the extent of finding out due to the fact that you have to drop the front axle in the explorer to get to the nuts on the rubber mounts, and I already have a set of motor mounts for the swap. I also figured that the explorer altenator harness will not work, so I took both the explorer harness and the ranger harness apart, used the what connections I needed and reformed a factory looking harness. I also took the time to make a heavy duty battery harness, both positive and negative. The factory uses 6 gauge wire, I upgraded it to 2 gauge, as well as a 2 gauge line to the fender solenoid to feed the vehicle power. I separated the motor and trans and replaced the rear main seal while I had them out of the truck...Tomorrow the motor, trans and tcase is ready to drop in the truck, and will be the first thing on tomorrow's list...So far I have 3 days and about 14 hours total to date...
SVT

 

[Jay'94]

I'll have to chime in here and add that I took the harnesses apart after Rick told me he was going to leave it till later and do it if needed. So kinda convinced him to go ahead and do it now when it's all out instead of stuffed in the engine bay! Then I got to enjoy him getting some technical expertise from the Master Technician of the family on stabilizing the motor and getting the tranny and transfer off! Just in case anyone's wondering what makes Rick Sr. the Master Tech, He's got multiple ASE Certs, Manufacturer Certs and he works on Fort Campbell keeping all our fire apparats running in pristine order! Whatever they need, he gets er done! Then the MT added something about some extension cord cables and we got a few choice words about soldering lugs instead of crimping them and something else about all the technology in the shop and some "redneck engineering" going on! Rick's dad (Rick Sr.) is a blast and it reminds me of the times I had with my Ole Man (RIP) many years ago! Also heard something about "dying the floor from the A/C leaks and looking for leaks later, don't mind the oil leak or the tranny dripping all over the place"! We did get points for moving the hay up to the barn and taking the trash off a couple days ago! Maybe we can get a thumbsup when we replace the compressor regulator?? I overheard something about "don't bust them coils" when I had my head burried in the freezer and was chipping frost out with a pry bar and a hammer so I could get the door closed after trying to chill some gatorade so we didn't dehydrate! And I think twice "don't let the mower get wet it's about to rain!" So if ya ain't thick skinned don't come around Indian Mound Hollar cuz the shit's always slung and hittin the fan!
Oh wait a minute, Rick wants to keep this a writeup on his V8 swap! Sorry Brother couldn't help thread jackin ya a little!!!

 

[RangerSVT]

The harness would have been fine, you just wanted to get some of your harley wiring (something you actually know well) in somewhere...and an altenator harness thats on top in front of the motor is hardly buried in the motor
SVT

 

[RangerSVT]

Been a busy few days...I got the motor, trans, and Tcase in the truck, but found out the explorer oil pan sump is too long front to back, so I got a mustang dual sump pan, then found I had to change the pickup tube as well...got that in and started to set it down, then another bump in the road...the motor mounts I have will not fit, so I have another day postponed til I get some 94-95 mustang motor mounts, after that, I should have no problems and it should be running within a day or two after she's bolted in...I also started my custom trans Xmember that sits inside the framerail for when I do my SAS conversion...Stay tuned for another update...
SVT

 

[Jay'94]

I highjacked a trans cooler!!!

 

[RangerSVT]

A very productive couple days...Put the oil pan in, but needed a bolt kit as the aluminum pan bolts are too long...I went with a Stainless Steel Stud Kit, as its a PITA to get the oil pan on and aligned with the gasket "floating" around....Come to find out the stud kit was cheaper than the bolt kit Well got that in, now the motor mounts....Before buying the mustang mounts I talked to a buddy who used the mustang mounts...Said they were a PITA to get set up, so after going over some measurements, I decided to use the Stock ranger 4.0L rubber mounts with the Explorer 5.0L steel plates. I took what I believe the driver side steel mount (I didn't keep track of which one was which when I took them off) and mounted it on the passenger side, no mods needed, fit great! I took the passenger side, had to trim it a good bit, almost in half so it would clear the gearbox/steering knuckle, then bolted it up to the block, set the engine down, marked the hole, pulled it out and drilled a 1/2 inch hole....Mounted to the engine and lowered it...Dropped right in and fit like a glove I'm waiting for my AC line to get finished, and after going over the power steering lines I need to have one of the ends swapped over, so the power steering lines are going to the shop as well...The return line can be modded to work, but I tried to rush and kinked the line, so I need to either fix this one or get another...The fuel lines have plenty of slack to reach the frame fuel lines, the exhaust looks to have room without being tight...The transmission cooling lines are a great fit, but the stock explorer trans cooler will need to be used due to the way it is plumbed...I am going a different route as I have found a pair of stainless steel braided lines that goes from the transmission all the way to the core support gonna take a little break this weekend and go see the g/f and spend time with her...Return on monday and I should have this thing running by mid week....The only thing holding me up is the shop making the AC and power steering lines....
SVT