03 fliptrac $700 daily driver (summer of fun with 4 sport tracs)

[410Fortune]

As far as I can tell only the 03-05 trac have this long arm
I am not sure why? I'm guessing to stop vibrations?

The 07 ranger still uses same diff bracket as all other 96-01 explorers I've worked on
The 01-02 trac has a weight mounted to the "torque arm"
So something about the sport trac had a vibration, maybe this was Fords "fix"
even the 02-04 sport still uses the short version... 95-01 explorer, 98-11 ranger, 01-04 sport all short arm whereas the 03-05 trac has this long ass arm

Loosen the front diff bolt? I have never had one fight me! What is going on up there with that Ranger!! PB blaster that sucker.
I added sticks and debris to bucket trap, lets see if it works. I catch mice in buckets, now mosquitos.......we are gonna need some more buckets

Maybe this 400 engine will find a home after all it sure has you guys excited!!

 

[Josh P]

410's 400 shop. I'd like to order a 400 in a sport trac.

 

[410Fortune]

thatll be 400000 or 9523 gallons of diesel please

 

[Josh P]

thatll be 400000 or 9523 gallons of diesel please

That explains the will work for fuel sign outside the shop.

 

[oklagp1200r]

I always wanted a newer sport trac when the adrenalin came out with the 4.6 V8. Is that engine not worth the effort to put in these older tracs?
I thought a newer coyote V8 in a trac would be awesome but probably a lot of work with wiring and all.

 

[410Fortune]

4.6 and 5.4 OHC engines.......... I stay far away from those things. Some people love them, I prefer to stick with my pushrod engines, seems to be paying off! Lots of horror stories about spark plug threads, cam phasers, timing chain tensioners, etc etc

Now the newer Coyote engine is pretty bomb proof, as is some of the ecoboost setups, people love these things. Ford recently built a 7.3 liter displacement pushrod engine that is as compact as a small block...the godzilla engine (replaced the triton 6.8L V10).
If money is no object I would be looking at either a Cummins repower (2.8L cummins), a Coyote swap or a 7.3 Godzilla.

The 4.6L version of the sport trac (07+) is based on the F150, no longer based on the Explorer, what we call a RBV or Ranger Based Vehicle
the 07+ trac has independent rear suspension, I also try to stay far away from that setup as I already have enough ball joints, tie rod ends and unit bearings to deal with LOL

Next we have the tried and trued 302 1969-2001 Pushrod V8 small block Ford, for the win! Ford shoehorned the cobra/GT40 version of this engine into the 96-01 Explorer making it more compact and reliable as they get. They mated it to a super tough and reliable 4 speed automatic the 4r70w, when they did this they made it much easier on us Ranger dudes to stuff them into our trucks. These days they have been "hacked", 302, 306, 327, 331, 347, auto or manual, naturally aspirated, turbo, supercharged, PCMs can be tuned, deleted, modded, the sky is literally the limit.
I always ask my customers:
What do you plan to use the truck for?
What is your budget and timeline?
Then we choose the appropriate transfer case, then transmission, then engine to go with it.

 

[vroomzoomboom]

i should have said the bolts going from the arm into the diff. all the bolts going from the frame to the diff, and arm are good

 

[oklagp1200r]

4.6 and 5.4 OHC engines.......... I stay far away from those things. Some people love them, I prefer to stick with my pushrod engines, seems to be paying off! Lots of horror stories about spark plug threads, cam phasers, timing chain tensioners, etc etc

Now the newer Coyote engine is pretty bomb proof, as is some of the ecoboost setups, people love these things. Ford recently built a 7.3 liter displacement pushrod engine that is as compact as a small block...the godzilla engine (replaced the triton 6.8L V10).
If money is no object I would be looking at either a Cummins repower (2.8L cummins), a Coyote swap or a 7.3 Godzilla.

The 4.6L version of the sport trac (07+) is based on the F150, no longer based on the Explorer, what we call a RBV or Ranger Based Vehicle
the 07+ trac has independent rear suspension, I also try to stay far away from that setup as I already have enough ball joints, tie rod ends and unit bearings to deal with LOL

Next we have the tried and trued 302 1969-2001 Pushrod V8 small block Ford, for the win! Ford shoehorned the cobra/GT40 version of this engine into the 96-01 Explorer making it more compact and reliable as they get. They mated it to a super tough and reliable 4 speed automatic the 4r70w, when they did this they made it much easier on us Ranger dudes to stuff them into our trucks. These days they have been "hacked", 302, 306, 327, 331, 347, auto or manual, naturally aspirated, turbo, supercharged, PCMs can be tuned, deleted, modded, the sky is literally the limit.
I always ask my customers:
What do you plan to use the truck for?
What is your budget and timeline?
Then we choose the appropriate transfer case, then transmission, then engine to go with it.

Really really good information thank you!
Man if I had money a sleeper 4x4 sport trac with about 500hp

 

[allmyEXes]

About the Ford small block. The summer right after I was born, Ford came out with the 221 ci engine. 40 years later Ford discontinued it. In my opininion, FoMoCo made a mistake. They could have easily kept this engine in their lineup. The only version of the 5.0 that they didn't build and they had the technology to do it, was a coil near plug, 8 individual coils for the ignition system. Also, I feel like the near straight plugs on the '98? and up was a mistake. In the JY, I have walked my many a set of these 4 hash mark heads. they won't work with most "of the shelf" headers. Don't get me wrong, they are still good 5.0s for Explorer swaps and the $900- headers may still be available. Jamie could tell you what is and not currently available.

Ford small block engine - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

In 2020 with FoMoCo's introduction of the 7.3 "Godzilla" 444.9 cubic inches, Is their way of saying, "Hey, maybe pushrod engines still do have a place in this world"

Ford Godzilla engine - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[410Fortune]

Yes it is
For the power needed to move the big trucks and rv’s ford found the pushrod out performed the overhead cam setups and went back to the pushrod for the new 7.3!!

I have installed gt40 tmh headers on p heads before, it is not a big deal, you just need to run angled boots on the wires.

The obx headers are now up to $1000 sheesh looks like people having to wait 6-12 months for a set of tmh is allowing the competition to raise their prices almost to match

I’ve said this 100000 times, if I ever get the chance I’m going to build a simple set of “log” type manifolds, simple design and still easily outflow the stock manifolds

Lucky for me I have one more set of headers I can use on this project before I am out and would have to order some

Ford has made a few mistakes that is for sure, like going all ev…. How is that working out for them? I still own ford stock I have faith long term

 

[Josh P]

Yes it is
For the power needed to move the big trucks and rv’s ford found the pushrod out performed the overhead cam setups and went back to the pushrod for the new 7.3!!

I have installed gt40 tmh headers on p heads before, it is not a big deal, you just need to run angled boots on the wires.

The obx headers are now up to $1000 sheesh looks like people having to wait 6-12 months for a set of tmh is allowing the competition to raise their prices almost to match

I’ve said this 100000 times, if I ever get the chance I’m going to build a simple set of “log” type manifolds, simple design and still easily outflow the stock manifolds



View attachment 442821
Lucky for me I have one more set of headers I can use on this project before I am out and would have to order some

Flip that log over and put a T3 flange in the center.

 

[410Fortune]

One in each side!! does that make it a t6? Lol

 

[Josh P]

One in each side!! does that make it a t6? Lol

No, it makes it hard to keep a set of tires that are not bald on the back

 

[410Fortune]

Oh the heat under the hood!!! would melt my crocs!!!!

 

[allmyEXes]

@410Fortune In reference to post #170, If you could make a log manifold with that design that would work on GT40 and GT40P heads, either or, and fit 1965 to 1970 Mustangs, then they would the Fox body years, Ford trucks and would they fit Explorers or is there a steering shaft interference problem? Is that header meant for a turbo? That would work on the drivers side then make a passenger side one.

 

[410Fortune]

Well I think it was Holley who started making the Blackwood log manifolds, maybe hooker I’m not sure. Once I saw them I was like “that’s the ticket”
I would make them fit a gen ii explorer and then a ttb ranger/explorer
They are already plentiful in the aftermarket for turbo and non turbo applications of sbf
It’s the explorer ifs that has the limited market due to steering shaft, frame rail, heater box clearance issues

Lots of cheaper headers made for rwd 302 swaps into beamed trucks (rwd 84-97 ranger, 91-94 ex and 84-90 bii) But like none for the 4wd trucks although there are some mustang headers that can work with little to no mods

 

[CDW6212R]

...
the 07+ trac has independent rear suspension, I also try to stay far away from that setup as I already have enough ball joints, tie rod ends and unit bearings to deal with LOL
...

Which IRS is that in those, is it a 4th gen Explorer IRS, or something else unique?

 

[CDW6212R]

Well I think it was Holley who started making the Blackwood log manifolds, maybe hooker I’m not sure. Once I saw them I was like “that’s the ticket”
I would make them fit a gen ii explorer and then a ttb ranger/explorer
They are already plentiful in the aftermarket for turbo and non turbo applications of sbf
It’s the explorer ifs that has the limited market due to steering shaft, frame rail, heater box clearance issues

Lots of cheaper headers made for rwd 302 swaps into beamed trucks (rwd 84-97 ranger, 91-94 ex and 84-90 bii) But like none for the 4wd trucks although there are some mustang headers that can work with little to no mods

The 2nd gen Explorer has big issues for the headers at both the steering shaft, and the UCA mounts(frame). A proper header has to route the middle pipes on the drivers side, outward to go around the steering shaft. That's why all other headers cannot work, they run those pipes close in to the heads, which is right where that shaft runs. If you make a log manifold that brings the primaries out away from the heads 2-3", then it can claer the steering shaft, but has to still miss the UCA mounts. So there is room to make headers that will fit in the Explorer, but how well they can fit the P heads and normal heads, plus other vehicles, that's a big unknown.

I love those log manifolds, the SS pipes and the V-band flange.

 

[410Fortune]

Its F150 IRS, 07+ sport trac is based on the F150 platform, no longer Explorer
I believe it still uses a 8.8 31 spline center section, the front is a 8.8 ring gear as well
We have often discussed using the front F150 center section in our Explorers and rangers because you can get selectable lockers for them

 

[Josh P]

Its F150 IRS, 07+ sport trac is based on the F150 platform, no longer Explorer
I believe it still uses a 8.8 31 spline center section, the front is a 8.8 ring gear as well
We have often discussed using the front F150 center section in our Explorers and rangers because you can get selectable lockers for them

Eventually I'll get around to swapping an F150 front 8.8 into that AWD Aerostar I got from a forum member. I got everything but time to complete the project. The 8.8 looks similar to the D35 in the van.