Would the 1997 (2nd part of year 06-12 month manufactured) Explorer Limited 5.0 AWD be a good candidate for a v8 swap on a 1999 Ranger 3.0 4x2 manual? The searching I found indicated that the 1997 Explorer was a split year 1996/1998 style on some parts (Didn't know if I would have issues with PATS). I have a chance to get one for $500 with bad transmission. I didn't know if it would be worth it.

Thanks,
-Matt

 

Rangers 1999 and newer use PATS. Rangers 1998 and older do not.
Explorers follow this same rule. If you get a vehicle without pats, you will have to work with that. Just what all that entails I'm not entirely sure, but know that's more work for you and another problem to deal with in one way or another.

 

Based on Swapping An Explorer 5.0L In To A 1998-Up Ranger I think I will be fine with PATS === I wont have it after the swap, which is fine i guess.

Thanks for the reply,
-Matt

 

You won't have pats on the 97 expo motor/ecu BUT some time in early 07 they went to GT40P heads as an upgrade to GT40 heads... I hear the P heads though better technically limit your choices for headers due to the spark plug location.

I'm picking up my 97 mountaineer in 2 days for my swap.. feb of 97 mfg date and my fingers are crossed for the GT40 heads. Was impossible to tell from the pics he sent me.

 

So GT40 or the GT40p would be better for spark plug location, I assume the GT40p is better heads, but GT40 allows for more generic headers?

 

Yup from everything I read. Been planning my swap for a loooooong time. I haven't seen any significant numbers that makes me have to have the P heads. But I'm just planning a fun daily driver that I don't want to spend so much money on that I regret the build.

The spark plug location on the P heads puts the spark closer to the center of the combustion chamber on the inside, but on the outside it puts the spark plug in the way from what I understand. I'll live with whatever mine has and will know saturday at about 5PM.

 

Anything you would do with the 5.0 while it was out? Mine has 200k miles on it. I was going to do a basic tuneup on it, but didn't know if "for example" head gaskets would be a good idea while it was out.

Thanks,
-Matt

 

It all depends on how it was driven and the maintenance during its life. I've seen a 5.0 that at 100,000 miles was burning noticeable oil out the exhaust and was ticking. I have seen several in the 200,000 range that ran and acted just fine. It's really a "crap shoot" unless you know the person well or they were in your family. I bought mine off a responsible business dude as old as I am, and know he only parked it because of frame rust.

If the water pump is seeping out the weep hole even in the least replace it. If the oil pan gasket leaks like crazy replace it. Those things will be much harder shoehorned in a ranger to remove.

If I really like mine I'm going to do a 4WD next year and get rid of my dodge. I plan on doing oil pump and timing chain/gears in the next one this one is just dropping in.