Junkyard observations

[some guy up north]

Since this is my first post, just a little back story. I bought I think If I remember correctly 2000 Ford Explorer (sorry It's been a while) off of a kid with a 4.0ohc, it's an xls and the body/paint/interior is beautiful and it has under 180k km. I picked it up approximately 5 years ago. CHEAP CHEAP! with a blown head gasket. I've never driven it and have no interest in replacing the 4.0 in it but rather swapping in a 5.0. I've been in the 5.0 Mustang game for a while now and have accumulated LOTS of 5.0 explorer parts (mostly engine related). Currently, we are almost done redoing the 5.0 I have for it, and I'm almost done collecting the rest of the stuff I needed for the conversion I have a reman trans and it will also be getting the bw4406 tcase from an f150. The plan is to take the exploder out of storage soon and start the whole process.

Moving on.... I've been doing some of my own junkyard investigating on some of the differences between the 4.0 and 5.0 trucks (its convenient when they are both right beside each other). The main thing I'm noticing is the differences in the rear end. My dilemma is whether or not I should buy the rear end and leaf springs out of a 5.0 truck. He are a few photos of the obvious differences that I'm noticing between trucks.

This is a 98 5.0 truck, and as you can see, it has some sort of traction device and 4 leaf springs.

This, on the other hand, is a 4.0 truck, and it has no traction device and 5 leaf springs. However, the frame seems to have the provisions for the trac bar but not the differential housing.

I'm assuming 1 is for performance and lower profile and the other for towing and ruggedness. What's you guys take on this? I'm uncertain on if I want the lower ride height or not with the 5.0 springs. Do these trucks wheel hop bad enough that they need the traction bar? I suppose I wouldn't have to change rear ends. Just weld my own trac bar mounts on the axle housing? Opinions?

 

[Mbrooks420]

It’s not about ride height, it’s to help prevent axle wrap. All 5.0s have them.

 

[vroomzoomboom]

winnipeg eh. look towards selkirk. you'll see me wave.
want more info on a 5L swap, i have the link in my signature.
as for the axle, 4L and 5L are the same with the exception a 5L will have a trac lock in it where a 4L might. also a 5L will more then likely have 3.73 gears, 4L is a guess as to what it will have.

 

[some guy up north]

winnipeg eh. look towards selkirk. you'll see me wave.
want more info on a 5L swap, i have the link in my signature.
as for the axle, 4L and 5L are the same with the exception a 5L will have a trac lock in it where a 4L might. also a 5L will more then likely have 3.73 gears, 4L is a guess as to what it will have.

I recognize that explorer! Small world.... I almost bought a set of gt40s off of you on kijiji to put on my full-size bronco. This was like 10 or so years ago I backed out cause I didn't want to deal with the broken bolts in the head.
The junkyard truck has a d4 code for 373 posi when I go to pull my truck out of storage I'll have to look at what my door tag says. I think If my truck has anything worse than that I'll be pulling the front and rear diffs if not I'll just weld tabs on my housing for the traction bars. Still not sure what springs would work best, although I'll likely buy those new if possible I don't have it in me to want to deal with bolts seized to bushings in the junkyard. I'd like this truck to have some off road capability I'm not concerned at all with performance. If that makes a difference.

Between the v8 conversion and the manual shift tcase its a lot of info to sort through so thanks for the link. I'll give it a read through. What drive shafts did you use for your 4406? My harness and pcm is for a 98, and my truck being a 2000 I'm sure I'll be dealing with the pats system but I'll cross that bridge when I get there. right now we are finishing up the long block it's from a 1991 f150 but I have all the explorer stuff for it. Although it will have e7 heads despite the fact that I do have a pair of gt40s and a pair of gt40ps on the shelf they are reserved for other cars that I have. It doesn't concern me reliability is ALL I care about.

Nice to see someone else from the area. At least 1 person will understand why I'd bother swapping this absolutely rust free 4.0 truck. This truck had a valid safety inspection when I bought it so I don't have to deal with all that nonsense.

 

[Turdle]

I'm pretty sure the rear control arms, traction bars, are indicator of V8 with 373 limited slip.

Some V8 did not have them. Most did however.


If reliability is goal, for your swap get an engine matching donor vehicle so you have good wiring and pcm. Go for 99-01, and keep everything stock.

 

[vroomzoomboom]

I recognize that explorer! Small world.... I almost bought a set of gt40s off of you on kijiji to put on my full-size bronco. This was like 10 or so years ago I backed out cause I didn't want to deal with the broken bolts in the head.
The junkyard truck has a d4 code for 373 posi when I go to pull my truck out of storage I'll have to look at what my door tag says. I think If my truck has anything worse than that I'll be pulling the front and rear diffs if not I'll just weld tabs on my housing for the traction bars. Still not sure what springs would work best, although I'll likely buy those new if possible I don't have it in me to want to deal with bolts seized to bushings in the junkyard. I'd like this truck to have some off road capability I'm not concerned at all with performance. If that makes a difference.

Between the v8 conversion and the manual shift tcase its a lot of info to sort through so thanks for the link. I'll give it a read through. What drive shafts did you use for your 4406? My harness and pcm is for a 98, and my truck being a 2000 I'm sure I'll be dealing with the pats system but I'll cross that bridge when I get there. right now we are finishing up the long block it's from a 1991 f150 but I have all the explorer stuff for it. Although it will have e7 heads despite the fact that I do have a pair of gt40s and a pair of gt40ps on the shelf they are reserved for other cars that I have. It doesn't concern me reliability is ALL I care about.

Nice to see someone else from the area. At least 1 person will understand why I'd bother swapping this absolutely rust free 4.0 truck. This truck had a valid safety inspection when I bought it so I don't have to deal with all that nonsense.

the front shaft came from a 98-04 f150. i think at one point i had a double cardon on it as well (i have like 3 front driveshafts sitting around ass well as a 4406) the rear shaft i had to get made. i think you need a rear shaft from a excursion .

How to: - Convert V8 AWD to BW 4406 Manual Shift- A how to thread

Convert 1996-2001 V8 AWD to Manual Shift BW4406 EDIT: There is a write up on how to connect the indicator lights a few posts down, near the bottom of the page. AWD is a great method for putting power to all four wheels, but it does it somewhat inefficiently and doesn’t offer low range. A...

www.explorerforum.com

as for the truck, havent had it out for over a year. bought a holley terminator x plus for it, and have had nothing but problems getting it running again.