well at first i wanted to go with a 351w, but lack of time and money has changed my mind. So explorer 5.0 it is! the plan is to keep it mild as this will be a budget build. the block and heads will be going to the machine shop for a complete overhaul.

so far this is what im thinking:
-up compression to 10.13
-b303 cam
-stiffer valve springs
-hardened pushrods
-port lower intake
-long tube headers
-custom tune

the idea is to make more power in the upper rpm's for mud bogs. im aiming to get the whole swap done within the next few months.


picked up a 2000 explorer on sunday for $500.. stay tuned

 

Sounds like a nice swap! Should be fairly easy since you have the whole vehicle. Concerned about wiring in that 05?

 

Thank you, it seems to fit pretty good with my set-up i think. Nothing too crazy to break axles everytime out but enough to fling the mud. Should put me in the 330-350 hp range from what iv gathered. As for wiring I'm not too concered. If I can get the motor/trans to operate and not throw any codes ill be happy. My trucks not much of a dd so if the gauges and stuff don't work, its fine for now.

 

I think he may be ok. 07+ has more issues on the wiring side I think

 

Post lots of pictures and details for those of us that are planning something similar down the road

 

started removing the explorer motor today, should have it out by tomorrow

 

It got dark on me last night so i finished it up today after work. Over all, pretty easy removal, even doing it on the dirt driveway. I removed the upper intake and the transfer case, it gave me plenty of room. There's an access panel underneath the center console to get to the upper transfer case bolts and the connectors to the o2 sensors. And on the intake, you have to remove the 5.0L V8 badge plate (2 T20 bolts) to reveal 2 more intake bolts.

 

this truck is going to be even more badass! Keeping an eye on this thread as I want to also swap mine at some point.
I'll still take those bumpers so don't forget whenever/if you make steel ones lol.

 

Can't wait to see the finished product. What all actually needs to come over with a swap? Like the bare essential parts?

 

Haha thank you. It sucks right now, I have this big ol ranger that looks like it means business, then you hear it start and its like oh, stock v6 lol. If you ever do the swap let me know ill give you a hand if you want. As for the bumbers, next year hopefully.


Mcleary316, this is what I know so far from research and looking at it. You need motor/trans, wiring harness, computer, throttle cable. You need the motor mounts from the explorer and tranny crossmember. You also need the explorers pats system if it has it. Everything else should be interchangeable, but some things on the explorer are worth swapping. Like the radiator, its twice as thick.

What you really need is the right year explorer for certain year rangers as things very like fuel pressure and having a return line or not. My 05 and 00 explorer both run at 65psi with no return, where as older explorers run at something like 35-55psi with a return line.

 

What are your plans for power adders? The stock V8 Expo motor isn't too impressive in that regard

 

There is a lot of good information here Swapping An Explorer 5.0L In To A 1998-Up Ranger

 

The stock 5.0 is actually capable of making pretty decent power after you remove the very restrictive exhaust manifolds. They come stock with gt40p heads, which are nothing amazing, but they are great for what they are. Put a new cam in with headers, you would be surprised.

My motor will be completely rebuilt .030 over, with a cam, long tube headers, and a tune. That's basically it and ill be making 350ish hp at the crank. Nitrous will be finding its way in soon as well. The tranny will be getting redone too, with a shift kit and possibly high stall converter.

 

sounds good man, thanks. I have to do a lot of reading up on it because if I have a CEL on without a working instrument cluster I can't pass inspection

 

Same goes for me I can't have a cel on. I do have a way to get around inspection, but I'm keeping it 100% inspectible. Except for the lift. I'm really bending the rules on that one haha

 

Haha yeah definitely on the lift. I have a connection for getting my truck inspected but there is nothing he can do if the CEL is on. Once the computer is plugged into the obd2 it will automatically fail the vehicle. It's a new system massachusetts started a few months ago. BS!

 

You just got that system? We've had that for years! This is what you do. Wait for a ranger the same year and motor to come in, plug it into the computer and run it as yours. Now this is illegal but it works.

 

Haha good think Kansas doesn't seem to care at all when they inspect vehicles.

 

Is there a reason you want to it to "street legal?"

For a truck like that I wouldn't even bother licensing it, just use it for offroading and mudding.

I understand if you would like to on occasion drive it in town or something

 

What's the point of having a truck you can't drive on the road? The rangers too clean to take it off the road. It only has 39k on it. It won't be a dd but ya I'm just going to cruise around town and down the back dirt roads. And c'mon, who has a ranger like this driving around?

 

I totally agree, no matter how crazy I get with my truck down the road I want to be able to cruise into town when I want.

 

I didnt do too much today. Pretty much got it ready to disassemble the block tomorrow. Ill be calling the machine shop on monday to see when i can drop it off.

check out this rusty turd. and look at how restrictive the stock manifolds are, i had to laugh when i saw them.

 

I almost have it down to a bare block, and I'm so surprised how nice it looks with 180k on it. Ill have pictures later on.

 

nice!

 

Didn't Mark have a problems running a b303 cam in his truck?

I haven't looked at his thread in forever to remember but i thought thats what his problem was with it running bad.