13-15 3.5 EB vs 16-19

[2014 Explorer Sport]

I'm currently looking at the 13-15 Sport as I prefer that body style compared to the updated 16+ sport but wondered in the event that I possibly buy a higher mileage one as that's becoming the current availability would I be able to down the road replace the 13-15 motor with a 16-19 motor? I know there have been slight updates along the way so I wasn't sure if this has been done a lot or not.

Thanks in advance

 

[peterk9]

I'm not aware of anyone on the forum doing that swap. I'm not sure if it's possible to do but would think it might be possible. If you do make the change I would strongly recommend changing the internal water pump and timing chain while you're at it. Not sure if you've seen this thread.

Water pump failure leads to dead engine

I hate being the guy that joins only to have his first post be about needing help, but I’ve been lurking here for the better part of a year and now have a depressing reason to reach out for assistance. This is long, so the summary is 1k miles over warranty, water pump failed without any check...

www.explorerforum.com

Peter

 

[ecoboost_xsport]

Motor/drivetrain is 100% identical. The 16-19 change was strictly cosmetic (interior and exterior)

 

[03WIExplorerLtd]

I'm currently looking at the 13-15 Sport as I prefer that body style compared to the updated 16+ sport but wondered in the event that I possibly buy a higher mileage one as that's becoming the current availability would I be able to down the road replace the 13-15 motor with a 16-19 motor? I know there have been slight updates along the way so I wasn't sure if this has been done a lot or not.

Thanks in advance

Why? Motors aren't cheap. Cheaper to buy lower and or newer.

 

[2014 Explorer Sport]

Well the intent if I went that route would also be to build the motor after getting it as I believe ecoboostxsport has done. The common sense would indeed be buy lower and or newer I definitely don’t disagree but at least in the Indiana area finding a lower miles 13-15 is less common so pondering all options.

 

[03WIExplorerLtd]

Well the intent if I went that route would also be to build the motor after getting it as I believe ecoboostxsport has done. The common sense would indeed be buy lower and or newer I definitely don’t disagree but at least in the Indiana area finding a lower miles 13-15 is less common so pondering all options.

Used prices are nuts now. Good luck

 

[2014 Explorer Sport]

Indeed. Wish I could just afford a pesky ST

 

[03WIExplorerLtd]

Indeed. Wish I could just afford a pesky ST

New ones are outrageously expensive. 60k for a top of the line Explorer?!

 

[2014 Explorer Sport]

It’s ridiculous, really.

 

[peterk9]

New ones are outrageously expensive. 60k for a top of the line Explorer?!

That's one reason I got into leasing back in1999.

Peter

 

[PlatinumOwner]

There are more changes than you would think. For 16-19, in addition to the interior/exterior styling there was a new 2.3L 4-cyl EcoBoost engine introduced, a change in electrical architecture(CGEA 1.3), front and rear camera washers added, LED headlights, enhanced park assist, hands-free liftgate, faster USB charging, active grill shutters and air curtains, a new Sony sound system and much quieter interior thanks to acoustic glass(on XLT+), new door seals, and tuned engine subframe mounts. 2017+ models also include SYNC 3.