Well, 2 weeks ago my water pump cracked and I had to do my headgaskets, and this week my radiator cracked and my head gaskets blew again. I have a very well paying job over the summer so I decided to drop in an explorer 5.0.

I go to pick up all the parts monday and todays I am ripping out the old case, and transmission before work.

I will be using this thread as a means to ask questions and as a project log. I hope to have it done as soon as possible.

 

Looking forward to some progress! Any engine upgrades during the install?

 

Not currently but I do plan on doing some top end work at the end of the summer. My job this summer is doing field research and im home for 2 weeks and work at nights so im just trying to get my truck running again haha.

Engine is ready to be pulled and t case is off, Im just pulling the engine/ tranny at the same time. Hopefully by 2pm today.

 

Transmission help, so I have a aode tranny but it has a different set of plugs then the rangers, the tag says 9E will this work?

 

For your 2000 Ranger, the easiest 5.0 Explorer engine donor is 1999~2001. If you use that engine, the best bet for an automatic is an Explorer 4R70W (aka AODEW) from the same 1999~2001 years. Both are controlled by the PCM, so the PCM, engine and trans need to match.

Regarding the transmission connectors not matching the Ranger: that doesn't matter because you would need to use the 5.0 Ex engine and transmission harnesses.

Speaking from experience sourcing the parts piece by piece, I wouldn't do it that way again. I recommend looking for a complete donor Explorer instead.

 

Thanks for the info. Basicly I already had this tranny but everything else is coming from a 2000 expo.

Since you have experience with this, as long as i take engine, engine harness, transmission harness, and battery harness will I be good as far as wiring goes?(PCM also) and I plan to tow my truck to a dealer and have the pcm flashed for my current keys.

 

What year and what vehicle line is the transmission from?

 

Honestly, I have no idea. Where could I get a code to see? If there is one?

Update: Everything is out and ready for the 5.0!

 

Those should do it. You will need to repin and possibly change the shell at the smaller 12-pin engine connector that plugs in near the DS inner fender. There may be some minor repinning required at the 42 pin also. This is why having the Ford "Wiring Diagrams" manuals for the Ranger and donor Explorer is important.

Yes, the PCM and PATS Module would need to be "introduced" and the keys would need to be recognized. That would work.

Another possible option to avoid the tow: If you swap the necessary PATS parts over from the same 2000 Explorer to the 2000 Ranger, it should not require a trip to the dealer. I believe that this includes the PATS Module, the PATS transponder keys and the PCM. To keep consistency between the ignition and door keys, the door locks would have to be swapped too. Here, I am assuming that the Ex door locks would work in your Ranger but I do not know that for sure.

I don't know about the codes. However, I do know that the 4R70W got important internal upgrades in 1999 or thereabouts and the only 5.0 using that transmission then was the Explorer. Also, there are wiring and sensor differences compared to the earlier Explorer 4R70W's. Since the same PCM controls the transmission and the engine in this swap, I think it would be a mistake to try to substitute any other automatic for the 99~01 Explorer 4R70W.

 

Is there anyway to take an early 90s Stang Motor, engine harness and accessories and put on what ever trans you want ?

If you don’t have PATS why add to the already overloaded electronics in these vehicles ?

Will there be a problem with PA Vehicle Inspection with a V-8 ?

My ’88 STX swap went easy with just a 93 Stang Motor and harness that is why I was wondering. If you don’t need the newer electronics for Vehicle Inspection then why use it ?

 

Yes, it's possible to use any 5.0. For a 98+ 4x4 Ranger like his, the swap would be greatly simplified by substituting a bunch of the Ex 5.0 parts that were literally designed to fit: motor mounts and plates, oil pan and pickup, exhaust manifolds, accessory drive, power steering and A/C components, throttle and cruise cables, etc., etc. The Mustang engine/PCM/harness would also need fuel system and wiring changes.

Those are the reasons why I think the 99~01 5.0 Explorer engine/trans/PCM/harnesses is the easiest way to go for a swap of this type (98~00 torsion bar Ranger). Bolt in the complete package as it came out of the Ex, snap the fuel lines together and do some minor rewiring to complete the engine compartment. The transfer case and drive shafts are a complication but that would be an issue regardless of which engine is used

99~00 V6 Rangers have the same Type B PATS used in the later 5.0 Explorers.

 

i dont think there will be a problem as long as the CEL isnt on and all the emissions stuff is there...because he will be using the expo PCM it should be just fine

 

Correct.

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Will there be a problem with PA Vehicle Inspection with a V-8 ?
[/QUOTE]

Just needs to be of the same year or newer....and even then it depends on where you go. My shop doesnt care but im going by the law jus in case I move.

 

Picking up a donor mountaineer friday, a 1999 with 140k on it. hopefully ill have everything in by sunday.

 

rwenzing, what complications do you mean? Dealing with the transfer case and driveshafts? I plan to lose on the fly 4wd and swap to awd.

 

If you use the Explorer AWD case, it should be a lot easier than trying to retain a part time transfer case like you have now. Not 100% sure but I think you might even be able to reuse your current Ranger driveshafts. On the downside, you'd have to live without low range and live with the AWD fuel economy/performance hit.

 

I plan on switching to part-time eventually but for now awd will work.

I picked up a 1999 Mountaineer with 140k on motor, with a rebuilt tranny with 12k on it for 700 bucks. It does have some miles but even if I have to buy a motor for 600-700 ill still have less money in the wap then expected. It runs great, has no oil leaks, shifts amazing and the power is unbelievable compared to my 3.0.

The motor is being swapped this weekend.

How hard are the PATS parts to swap/ get to? Any instruction would be helpful.

 

DISCONNECT BATTERY

Keys/ignition lock-
Turn the ignition to the ON position and push a thin round punch or similar tool through the access hole in the bottom of the steering column to release the lock. Pull it out and plug it into the other column. Simple.

PATS Module-
I believe that the Ranger and Explorer Type B PATS Modules are in the same location - inside the dash on the passenger side. It has a single sixteen pin connector with maybe a dozen wires. No problem to unbolt, unplug and swap the module itself but the passenger side airbag is in the way. The airbag assembly is held in by two bolts from the bottom above the glove box. There are many dire warnings in the factory manual about proper airbag handling procedures. Personally, I don't like working on them but I just make sure that the battery is disconnected and keep out of the way during handling. Proceed at your own risk.

PATS Transceiver Module-
I had to swap this part because I changed from PATS Type E to PATS Type B. Your situation is type B to Type B and, AFAIK, this is not a "memory" module and does not need to be swapped. If you find that it does, look for a small, 4-wire module on the column adjacent to the ignition lock.

PCM -
Unbolt, unplug and swap.

 

Thank you so much for all your help, I really dont think I could do this swap without your input haha.

Engine of the mountaineer is about ready to be pulled. Just need to remove the transfer case, radiator, and some vacuum lines. I am dropping AC so that makes this swap alot simpler.

Can I use mountaineer skidplates on my truck? The mountaineer I bought has a gas tank, and transfer case skid plate.

 

If you want A/C, just use the AC manifold (hose assembly) from the Explorer. It should swap directly to your Ranger without mods.

You'll also need the high pressure hose from the Explorer power steering to match up to the location of the 5.0 PS pump. I had to adapt to it my 2003 but it should be bolt in for the 2000.

The Explorer frame rails are farther apart at the t-case and the tank is a different size. I doubt that the plates are a direct ft in a Ranger but maybe could be modified.

 

Remember, Bob is not human.

 

My AC hasn't worked since I got the truck...so I just removed the AC components.

And I Think i will modify the skids to fix it.

 

Another thing I need help on haha.

The 12 pin connector in the battery harness...what should I do?
I've been looking at mlw20lu's swap and i dont understand it.
https://www.ranger-forums.com/showth...=95304&page=23

 

Keep in mind that the info in Mark's 2002 swap thread may not be exactly right for your 2000 swap. There are differences. I can't do it right now but I will look into the 12-pin for your combo ASAP.

 

Seriously thank you, i cant say that enough haha.

Updaaaaate:

Engine out with only one trip to the hospital haha my pap cracked his head on the bucket of the back hoe we used to pull the engine.

I have tons of pictures of the progress but I cant find my usb to load them on PB but they will come!