Hey everyone. I just purchased a 1998 Mercury 5.0 V8 for 500 bucks the car has 198k miles on it. I'm going to be slapping the 5.0 engine and transmission in my truck. I just feel like I'm going into the dark alittle bit as far as what to expect. I ordered new water pump, oil pump, valve cover gasket, and oil pan gasket for the motor..... Is there anything else I should do to the 5.0 before installing it. Along with this, for anyone who has any experience doing one of these projects, I've got some follow up questions.

1. Is there any way to make my 03 ranger 4x4 again after putting the AWD 5.0 in?
2. Is there anything I'm going to want to also buy for this project (I do have the whole donor car, just not sure if I should order anything else like new motor mounts or something like that?...
3. Anyone know if I have to use the Mercury key also after doing the 5.0 swap, or is there a way to still use the ranger key...?
4 Is there also any way to make the 5.0 a manual ( Its currently a automatic).
5. Any information that could help shed some light on what to expect with this project would be awesome! Thanks everyone.

 

Plenty of info out there - check out The Ranger Station as well as threads here, you'll find everything you need to know and more. Quick answers, but feel free to ask for more specifics:
-Check the fuel rail and specifically the injectors. If fuel sat in them for any length of time it will go bad and can gum them up.

1. Yes. In short you'll want a BW4406 (manual or electric shift) from an F150. (You probably have a 4404 AWD now)
2. You can use everything from the Merc assuming it's in good shape. 95% plug and play other than things like AC hookup, 4x4 lights, misc vacuum and evap, etc. Having the whole donor car is the best thing you can do for this swap! You'll need a new rear driveshaft for sure, possibly front (I swapped in M5ODR2 manual from an F150 along with the manual 4406, so I did)
3) You're going to run into PATS/key issues unless you swap over EVERYTHING from the Merc (PATS modules behind pass airbag in dash, 5.0 ECU, PATS stuff in/under steering column, etc). Check out TRS for year-specific PATS stuff. I used all 98 Merc stuff on my 99 Ranger, which is different than your 03. The 03 has different challenges as far as PATS and speedometer.
4) Yes. (Do it!) Look for an M5OD-R2 from a 97-06(ish) F150 4.2L V6 4x4. That trans has the 302/5.0 bolt pattern and shifter will be where you need it for Ranger. Those came with both manual and electric BW4406, so if you're lucky you can get it all in one shot from the same truck (Trans, Transfer case, driveshafts if for no other reason than the input shafts for use or reference). It's a clunky truck transmission, but super easy bolt-in swap.
5) Research: Headers. Stock heads are the best Ford made for the 302, but the exhaust limits breathing and you have limited space on the Ranger 4x4s. Some guys swap to earlier heads before the Explorer/Merc spark plug angle mods, which gives you some more options. Otherwise custom or TorqueMonster headers (and older copies) are your options. Research: Fuel return lines. Your 03 doesn't have one but the 98 5.0 will need one unless you swap to the 99-01 (?) style returnless intake runners. It's not hard to plumb a return line if you need to.

Good luck!

-A

 

If you take everything from the Mercury as-is (PATS, ignition module in steering column, etc) which is all mated to the Mountaineer ECU (you'll definitely need that),you'll use the Mercury key.

The other option is to have the PATS deleted from the Mountaineer ECU. It'll cost you more, but you won't have to worry about the modules and can retain the Ford key.

-A