Ok so I found a decent deal on a 2wd exploder. Only problem is that is it 2wd and not 4wd. Other than not having the obvious 4wd equipment is it a problem using that for a swap into a 4wd 98 Ranger?

Plan on getting a different tranny and transfer case out of a F150 so I don't really care about the missing 4wd stuff!

The candidate is a 97 which will be perfect and only has 122,000 miles so should still be good to go and supposedly runs like a swiss clock!

 

come on someone has to have some feedback! Just wanna make a good decision and not a mistake!

 

There should be a sticky on this... You can decide for your self.
See this post:
It has lots of links in it.

https://www.ranger-forums.com/member...1/#post2111522

 

The 1997 V8 Explorer computer will want to see a 4R70W automatic, 4WD version for you needs

 

So if I it won't work with an 5 speed! Not really a big deal just wanted to keep it a manual hopefully! Good to know however!

 

It will work with a M5OD-R2 manual but the CEL(check engine light) will come on when no automatic transmission hook up is detected, and it will stay on.
Which is not great if you actually do have an engine problem at some point down the road, no CEL warning.

There were no V8 Explorers made with manual trans., and very few with 4.0l V6s, not that that matters.

But there are programmers that can delete Automatic software from the V8 computer, they can also fine tune performance to your liking vs Ford's legal emissions requirements