Transmission options?

[Wheelwright]

I have an '08 FX4, no lift, standard tire diameter, with a 5speed. I'm starting to hunt for parts for a 5L conversion. The later-model engine is a no-brainer, just because I have no wish to d*ck about with wiring, and the OBD-II motors seem to pretty much plug in. Note that I said "pretty much". I have read about the clusterfarkle with ECU's and PATS.

The question I have is transmission/transfer case options? I really want to keep it 5s, and 4wd, and I can't find anyone who's done this.
Transfer cases seem pretty limited for a T5, even for a world-class. I really have no idea what sort of options there are, and I haven't been able to find a compatibility list anywhere. Is there such a list?

I'm not going to lift it, lower it, or Offroad it. I just really like sleeper vehicles, and I want it to be faster. And I really hate automatics.


Eamon

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

97-03 (and possibly newer) M5OD out of a F-150 with a fullsize t-case that tickles your fancy is the way to go.

Will have to drill the 12mm bellhousing bolts out to 1/2" and you are good.

 

[adsm08]

If you have an FX4 you have a 4.0L SOHC. The power you gain from taking that engine out and putting in a 5.0 is minimal, and that is in the parts of the RPM band that your engine isn't already making MORE power than the 5.0.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

If you have an FX4 you have a 4.0L SOHC. The power you gain from taking that engine out and putting in a 5.0 is minimal, and that is in the parts of the RPM band that your engine isn't already making MORE power than the 5.0.

A 5.0 with virtually unlimited aftermarket has much more potential than the 4.0 that is not fast enough with no real room for improvement.

Most 5.0's make a lot more torque than 4.0's. My '87 Crown Vic engine was 280 @2500RPM. Ex's are also rated 280 but I am not sure where, they have a lot more going for them (much better heads and cam) than my engine did.

 

[RonD]

Just to add to what 85_Ranger4x4 said, and qualify it a bit
M5OD-R2 with transfer case from a 1997 to 2008 F-150 WITH 4.2l V6 engine

The 5.0l wasn't used after 1996 in F-150s, the 4.2l was introduced in 1997, and it has the same bellhousing pattern as the 5.0l, Windsor small block
So trans from one will bolt to the other, yes 5.0l bolts are slightly larger but easy to drill out the bellhousing holes.
Reason you want the 1997, and up, M5OD-R2 is because in 1997 the shifter was moved farther back, for the V6, and matches Ranger shifter hole in the floor, earlier version had shifter farther forward so new hole had to be cut and shifter arm bent to clear the dash.

In 1997 Ford started using modular V8s in the F-150s, their transmissions won't bolt to 5.0l
And in 1997 Ford stopped putting manual transmissions in the Explorers, not sure you could even special order it, they were rare before 1997 and non-existent after, lol.
Which also brings up one other thing, the 5.0l computer from an Explorer/Mountaineer will be for use in an automatic vehicle, so won't like not being hooked up to one, CEL will stay on all the time and idle can be unstable.
Best bet is to have computer reprogrammed, they can delete the auto software and also PATS for that matter, also give you a better tune for 5.0l

Your 2008 should have the speed sensor on the output of the transfercase, make sure new transfercase has that as well

And while not common you can find manual transfer cases in the F-150 V6 models

And I agree......"there is no replacement for displacement"
The 4.0l SOHC is almost equal in horsepower to the 5.0l, but as said torque is better with 5.0l
And 4.0l SOHC also runs 9.7:1 compression ratio, for that extra power, problem is because of that Ford had to add a knock sensor so it could run Regular 87 octane fuel.
When running regular gas the Knock Sensor will be advancing the spark timing to prevent pinging/knocks, thus reducing the power available