1997 Ford Explorer Drivetrain

[emills]

Scout and Jeep guy here with a quick question.

I have a line on a 97 Explorer with the 5.0 and an auto tranny (2wd). It was totaled about a year ago and it has been sitting since. I am thinking of buying it for use as a drivetrain donor (and maybe steal the power leather seats for my Scout).

But I am having a hard time finding any info on the tranny that is in there. The engine is the 5.0 HO (says cobra on the intake), outside of that, I am lost on what it has and can't seem to find what all is there. What tranny would most likely be behind that, and how about the rear axle?

Thanks,

Eric

 

[410Fortune]

a 97 Explorer does not have a Cobra intake or an HO version of the 5.0L V8, the previous owner added the intake plate and or modified the 5.0L engine

the 5.0L is a GT-40 version of the pushrod V8, a VERY strong engine.
The automatic transmission is a 4R70W computer controlled automatic.
This is a AOD-EW, or AOD (automatic overdrive, electronic controlled, wide ratio gear set) transmission.

It is an excellent drivetrain and you should use it in something the transmissions can handle 500 HP with small tweaks and the engine is very similar to what would come in a Cobra mustang.
IN 97 it should have the P heads (slightly better then 96-mid year 97) The head will clearly say P on the side, this is important to know for header selection.
The explorer 5.0L's have crappy restrictive exhaust manifolds, so when you do your conversion ditch them and run headers.

You need to be careful, in mid 97 the OBD-II computers started using the PATS system which is a stock anti theft module/key/computer system. If your computer is equipped with PATS you should get the module, key and igntiion module from the dondor truck, or look into using a pre PATS computer

I jsut got done putting this drivetrain in my 88 Bronco II, basically my truck thinks it is a 97 mercury Moutnaineer minus the AWD t case.

The transmission you are dealing with has a 2wd output shaft and rear yoke, in order to mount a low range t case to it you will likely need an adapter from AA and the output shaft int he trans must be swapped out, this means disassembly and re-assembly.

I have alot of details on this stuff in my coversion thread, found in my signature.

Driving a Bronco II with 300 ft lbs of torque and a computer controlled automatic made every single dollar and hour spent WELL WORTH IT and shes only been on the road for a couple weeks now....

 

[emills]

Sweet - thanks for the quick reply and all the help. Gonna go check out your site in just a bit.

I am going to buying the whole truck and leave it sitting in the side yard while I do the swap. So hopefully, if I miss pulling something - it will still be right there if I need it!

About the PATS - would using a pre-PATS computer give me issues with CA smog laws? Is there a way to bypass the PATS? Or could I just use the ignition switch and key from the Explorer to make the PATS system work as it did? And what does PATS stand for?

I'll look into the engine a bit more next time I am out where the truck is. Or maybe get a VIN and do some better searching. Any good places to get the details with the VIN.

Finally - what about the axle. Is that an 8.8 or a 9? Either one is an upgrade over the D35C that is in the back of the Jeep. And I am guessing rear discs too, right?

Thanks,

Eric

 

[410Fortune]

PATS = something anti theft system hahaha
You can do all of those above.
CA should not have any emissions issues with your conversion as long as you keep the drivetrain emissions equipment.
Alot of guys who use this engine for the conversion actually ditch the computer and install a distributor and run the pre OBD-II electronics. This requires the use of a different transmission or an stand alone transmission controller. I chose to go the hard way and use all the stock systems it worked! hahaha

You can bypass PATS with a computer re-flash, You can run a non PATS computer, oryou can use the entire PATS system from the donor.

Having the entire donor truck available to me was KEY to finishing my conversion and saving $$$. It would have been many trips to the junk yards if I did not have the truck sitting out back.

my 97 drivetrain did NOT have PATS and my engine DID have the P heads
from what I understand, the PATS system has a serial link cable frmo the computer to the PATS module, making it easier to find out if your drivetrain has it. You can also look at the key to the truck and see if it is the programmable type
Good luck!

I think I have like 15 pages in my conversion thread now...

 

[james t]

Finally - what about the axle. Is that an 8.8 or a 9? Either one is an upgrade over the D35C that is in the back of the Jeep. And I am guessing rear discs too, right?

The rear will be a 31 spline disc brake 8.8. Probably 3:73 gears.

 

[emills]

Right on, thanks for all the help. Ask the question in the right place and get good info quick!!!

One more question, value of all this? It is a complete truck that was rear-ended pretty badly (not even sure the axle is straight). Think it was an Eddie Bauer edition. And I think it was right around 80k miles when it was totaled. Also has brna dnew tires that I could prolly sell. With all that said, I was told about $1500 for it. Sounds like a good deal to me based on what I have seen the engines and trannys go for. But a second opinion on that? Good deal?


Thanks,

Eric

 

[410Fortune]

$1500 is what I paid just for my 97 Drivetrain with 53K miles on it.
On the other hand I picked up a running, loaded, body lifted 96. 5.0L 4 door for $900, needs a front clip.

If your truck was hit in the rear I would be interested in the front clip, grill, headlights, fenders, hood, bumper, will ship or pick up

 

[james t]

Make sure the tranny is good before you buy it. Its possible for the rearend to shove the driveshaft forward causing trama to the output on the tranny. $1500 could be a decent deal or $1500 could be $1400 too much.

 

[emills]

James,
I think that the rear-ending was by a truck, so the drivetrain should be OK, but that is certainly something to look into. Thanks for the heads up.

410,
If we do end up getting this, I will certainly post up some of the parts for sale to try and re-coup some costs. Remind me that you helped out and I will try to hook you up with some deals or priority.

Eric

 

[410Fortune]

How about I have the $$$ if you ahve the front clip, I will pay for shipping or come get it, just let me see the condition of it before I give you the $$$ (pictures) and tell me your timeframe and price
I need a Gen II front clip, I would MUCH rather use factory then aftermarket, and they are hard to come by, it seems they are all front end collisions here in ICY Co.
I am always looking for one local, but if the price is right I will get is from the west coast

Here's a pic of my two Explorer's, the green one I rolled, the blue one is the one I am fixing and needs a front clip, I will buy a new radiator core support and weld that in, but everything forward of that, both fenders and hood I need:

 

[TommyEX]

PATS = something anti theft system

I believe the P stands for Passive. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.