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View Full Version : New B here stuff'n an X into an original pony car


Ponycar
03-21-2007, 01:39 AM
Hey guys, just like the title says, I'm new here and putting my 96X into my 68 stang.
The stang is the first car I ever took the wheel of when I was 9 or 10, it belonged to my mom. I'm not a stang fan, but my wife is and I couldn't see it go. I just got the car and after trying to maintain the ld drive-train and having it not stay together, I'm upgrading. A friend of mine runs a wrecking yard and just sold me a 150K and wrecked but running strong 96 X. I plan to strip it out and put as much as I can into the ol' stang, well the sunroof is going in my buddies S-10. If all goes well engine and trans will get rebuilt, rear end will be transplanted as well as the brakes. I plan on building some custom A arms and front end parts to swap the steering too. I want this to be reliable for my wife to drive. I guess that's about it. It's a great forum, Im learning lots reading it. Thanks to all those who contribute their knowledge!

j602
03-21-2007, 02:27 AM
Why the #### would you do that????

Ponycar
03-23-2007, 10:23 PM
Why the #### not????

j602
03-25-2007, 05:18 PM
Because a 68 Mustang is a classic American muscle car. Putting a weak Explorer V6 drivetrain would defile the very purpose of owning that car.

FireZapper
03-25-2007, 05:27 PM
I agree, part out the junk exploder and use the money to rebuild that car the right way!

Ponycar
03-25-2007, 10:07 PM
Are you guys kidding??? The explorer has a better 302, actually pretty much the best one Ford made. It has a modern auto trans, the same one the new stangs have, it's stronger and far more efficient than the original one. The 8.8 trac loc with 31 spline axles and disc brakes is far better any rear from 68 and one of the best ever made. I never said V6, and even if I did a v6 from a 96 explorer is a hell of a lot better engine than the I6 that came in this car from the factory. Just to bring you guys up to speed, the 5.0 in the explorers are pretty sought after due to them being pretty close to the 5.0 cobra engines, just need a cam to wake it up.

Turdle
03-25-2007, 10:16 PM
I want to see this when it is done. It sounds like a good plan to me!!:thumbsup:

Be sure to save everything electronic--and the harness--good luck!!

1996xlt
03-25-2007, 11:23 PM
The engine, rear differential and trans I could see using, but the steering? There is plenty of aftermarket stuff out there for mustangs that won't break the bank, unless you like engineering stuff.

IZwack
03-25-2007, 11:36 PM
Why the #### would you do that????
Cauz he can :D


I want to see this when it is done. It sounds like a good plan to me!!:thumbsup:x2 -- Sounds like an interesting unique project :D Good luck!

FROADER
03-25-2007, 11:38 PM
A little like my plan for my 63 Galaxie had I kept it. I was planning to use a Crown Vic drivetrain for it.

Good luck. :thumbsup:

Dan Whitaker
03-26-2007, 11:00 AM
The 1988-1993 T-Bird/Cougar owners use love the Explorer/Mountaneer 5.0 for dropping into their 3.8 V6 cars.

I have a '92 Cougar & would like to find a 98-2001 P head for mine as well :D

j602
03-26-2007, 01:18 PM
An 88-93 T-Bird/Cougar is not a 68 stang.

little x
03-26-2007, 01:26 PM
I think it will turn out sweet. I would one day love to rip appart a beat up classic and replace the insides with some newer stuff. You are guarenteed to end up with a very sweet looking unique car, that is much more reliable, comfortable, safe, and performs much better then stock.

Post some pics of progress now and again.

410Fortune
03-26-2007, 01:40 PM
the 5.0L explorer drivetrain will be right at home under the hood of your 68, we have done a couple of these already (Ranchero and Mustang)

In order for the 5.0L brackets to clear the shock towers you may have to move the engine forward a bit, which is a great idea anyways because the short front dress on the explorer 5.0L will leave a ton of room between the radiator support and the engine, it looks silly.

These make GREAT daily drivers. If you are really crafty you can keep the AC and cruise control :)

95offroadx
03-26-2007, 02:12 PM
An 88-93 T-Bird/Cougar is not a 68 stang.

really? i thought they where the same:confused:

thanks for pointin that out

Dan Whitaker
03-26-2007, 03:03 PM
An 88-93 T-Bird/Cougar is not a 68 stang.

Yes I know. I was just pointing out the Explorer/Mountaineer 5.0 are very popular for swaping into other cars.

axiom
03-26-2007, 03:37 PM
Sounds like an interesting project. Would like to see some photos of the end result and everything :)

1996xlt
03-26-2007, 06:07 PM
The 8.8s in classic Mustangs is becoming a more popular mod in the recent years due to 9 inch rears getting expensive/hard to come by. I'm thinking of doing it to my 67, but remember you will have to narrow the long side of the axle by a inch or two for it to fit.

j602
03-26-2007, 07:32 PM
Yes, I know Explorer 302's are good, strong, and sought after. My point was that I think classic Mustangs should be rebuilt/built in an original manner.

MustangP51
03-26-2007, 08:10 PM
Putting in a 302 in that mustang is a great idea. It is not only the most cost friendly rebuild but it is one of the easiest. I did the same thing to my 1965 Mustang. It originally had the sprint 200 inline six. I rebuilt a 71 302 and mated it to a Tremec T-5. The rear is the original 8 inch. The best thing about the swap is the amount of after market parts for 302s, you can find anything you want. The one thing that a lot of people overlook when going from a I6 to a V8 is the front suspension. It is different for an I6 (4 lugs) and V8 (5 lug). I used the front end from a 68 Cougar. The only thing that that may give you a problem is getting all of the components for the EFI under the hood. You may want to just put a Carburetor on it. I don't think that you will be able to use any other components out of the Explorer other then the drive line.

Ryan

95offroadx
03-26-2007, 08:23 PM
Yes, I know Explorer 302's are good, strong, and sought after. My point was that I think classic Mustangs should be rebuilt/built in an original manner.

a 67 rustang with a inline six sure sounds like a fun car to cruise with its 120hp and all:thumbdwn:


now a 67 mustang with a 5.0 fuel inj. v8 ....that sounds like a sweet ride

1996xlt
03-26-2007, 10:03 PM
Plenty of guys have transplanted fox body 5.0L efi stuff into the first gen mustangs with excellent results. Biggest thing is the wiring but I think Painless wiring has a kit for that swap. I'm waiting to see the new three valve in one, not saying it wouldn't be pricey but definetly cool.

Ponycar
03-27-2007, 02:03 PM
Yes, I know Explorer 302's are good, strong, and sought after. My point was that I think classic Mustangs should be rebuilt/built in an original manner.

Well buy one and do what you want. I don't really care for nasayers. I've had people tell me I couldn't do many thinks I've done. If I could've got a great deal on it, I'd be putting in an LS2 with a six speed auto. They're still too new do be affordable.
I'm rebuilding this car for my wife to have as a daily driver. If I want to cruise a classic I jump into my 64 falcon or my 60 falcon and crise. I have plans to drop a Diesel in my 64 gallaxie. Just cuz that's what I want.