Hi. I promise I've searched for the last 2 days with my phone and haven't found the info I need, otherwise I wouldn't be starting a new thread. I know that kind of stuff is obnoxious.


So, I want to go pick this truck up. I dig the body kit and mustang wheels. Reminds me of an older lightning, except small. Needs a 302 in it. Can pick it up as pictured minus the rear axle (it was a 7.5 anyway) for $500 with a blown engine.


I have a couple questions, however:


Will I be able to keep 2wd if I have an awd explorer (haven't picked one up yet, but I'm in Minnesota, so all the old explorers are awd. Not many 2wd 4 doors made it up to these parts)? If I need to travel for a good donor I am happy to, as I like road trips. it's just easier to find a rusted out with good engine/tranny up here than down south.


Will the short bed and 2 door cause me any problems with the driveshaft? I can't imagine the short bed would cause the frame or axles to be any different, but I want to check that box and make sure.


Is there anything else I should be wary of? I know the PATS will need to come from the explorer. Same as the rear axle. Like I said, want to keep it auto and 2wd if possible. The tech articles only touched on 4wd, as I understand it.


Worst case scenario, can I go from 2wd ranger to 4wd with the appropriate parts from the explorer, or is it way more work?


Anyway, I'll cut it there. Hopefully before too long this will turn into a build thread.


Thanks y'all. You've been a big help already and this is my first post.


I'll get a picture up as soon as I can figure it out.


Thanks
-Jason

 

That was easier than expected.

 

I get the feeling this will be a pain. The cool front suspension in the front is going to cause me problems, isn't it? How much of a pain am I in for?

 

The swb Ranger and Explorer share wheelbases so a 5.0 2wd Expo driveshaft works.

Find a rwd 4R70W transmission and mend with the Expo doner's AWD transmission to get a rwd 4R70W that will match the electrics expected by the Expo's PCM.

You'll need custom plates to fit the 5.0 to the Ranger's engine mounts. DIY or available on flea bay.

Without swapping frames from a 4WD Ranger, no real way to use the Expo AWD.

 

So a 2wd explorer would make this easier again? Sounds like it.

 

Absolutely!! More difficult to find but definitely makes a more complete doner package. The 5.0 AWD Expo's are more common but for a RWD Ranger, go with a RWD 5.0 Expo if you can.

 

I really Ike the looks of this truck and would love to be able to make it work. Sounds like he already sold the rear axle, but it was a 7.5 anyway so I'm not worried. Could pull the one out of the explorer.

Would an explorer sport 2wd work out ok if I used the ranger driveshaft? Those are more common around here.

 

No V8 Sports were made and the shorter wheelbase would also preclude using the driveshaft.

So, no. An Explorer Sport would not make suitable doner.

 

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I would suggest findin a 4x4 chassis and swappin the Expo 5.0L AWD & your cab & bed into/onto it like I did.
I kept the Ranger torque arms so it squatted a little with the 5.0 and I removed the 3" blocks from the rear. I also kept the Ranger hubs in the front so I can unlock them, but I do intend to make it AWD later down the road. I did all this to retain my truck not lookin like I did the swaps.

Here's pics of my truck from when I bought it to now:
Daily Driver: 98 Thunderbolt

OR: I think you could put the Explorer AWD 5.0L setup into a 2wd Ranger and just be without the front driveshaft. You may have to swap and/or modify the trans. crossmember from the explorer to accommodate the transfer case.

Just some FFT!

 

A very brief search indicated that. Sorry for the stupid post. Was at work and didn't think that one through.

 

Hold it hold it hold it. You did what?? I'm gonna pm you.

 

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NOT a stupid post! Read & checkout above ^^^^^^^^^

 

Don't think that will work -- but, you could swap the AWD center diff with a traditional 4WD xfer case and leave it locked in 2WD HI. Kind of a bodge short cut and heavy but would get you going down the road.

 

Could you explain what you mean about the transmissions? The computer knows it should be awd and I would have to mix and match?

 

Actually, the PCM has no idea of what is behind the transmission. RWD, AWD or if a "real" 4WD transfer case is there.

Problem is Ford changed the electrics starting in '98 for the 4R70W. So, the earlier 4R70W's are much easier to find but won't plug and play with the later PCM.

You can swap output shafts and tail cones between the RWD and AWD if going through the transmission internals is not too intimidating or you can swap the later valve body and electrical components from a 98 or later AWD into an earlier RWD.

Either path gets a RWD 4R70W working with the newer PCM.

 

Or I just wait and find a 2wd explorer. I think that's my huckleberry. We will see how this goes. I'll just wait on it until I find the right deal.

 

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I know someone who put a 04 Mustang 3.8L trans behind an Explorer 5.0L and has had no problems with it. Its a 01 Ranger Supercab 2wd and drives it everyday, plus has hauled his motorcycle on a trailer with it from TN to IN with no issues.

 

Doesn't seem to be talked about.

Is the tranny from a v6 the same as the v8? There are several 2wd v6 expos at my upullit. Would that work for me?