4.0 to 5.0??

[tonymwc]

on a 98 sport how hard would the swap be??

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! I've moved your thread into the modified 95-01 section. Be prepared to replace a lot of parts such as the computer, wiring harness, exhaust, fuel lines, transmission, mounts, etc. I saw that you started another thread after creating this one. Please keep everything in the same thread. Your other thread was deleted.

 

[tonymwc]

Thanks for the welcome, i heard the 4.0 sohc has issues and i can get a 5.0 from a buddy for 150. have a feeling this motor is about to crap on me, so would it be better to stay with 4.0 or go to 5?

 

[BrooklynBay]

It depends upon how much time, labor, and money you are willing to invest in this project.

 

[tonymwc]

thats also a good point, are the 4.0's really that bad??

 

[BrooklynBay]

Some members have over 400K miles on them so they can't be too terrible. How many miles does your engine have?

 

[techboj]

For the price of doing the entire swap including the cost of all additional parts (not to mention how much you will be paying for the 5.0) - the economics of the swap isn't worth it.

Unless --- you really want to do it. Cost is not an issue or you have the time and capability to do most of the swaps yourself.

Arguably some may say it's the fun of doing it. Honestly, I personally would do it if I had the resources. Cost and knowhow isn't much of an issue for me but I just don't have the time.

A well cared-for 4.0 be it SOHC or OHV will last for a long time compared to an unmaintained or abused 5.0 If your 4.0 craps out on you and you still want the Ex then rebuild/overhaul or swap in another 4.0. Otherwise get an Ex with a 5.0 and start all over

 

[410Fortune]

in 98 the explorer came with a 5.0L v8

this is not really a swap or "conversion" you are simply removing the 98 V6 drivetrain and installing the 98 V8 drivetrain (well 98-2001)

the truck side of things is the same 98-2001, so if you find a wrecked or rolled 98-01 5.0L explorer all you need next is to start wrenching

being a sport, your rear d shaft will need adjsutment and the V8 exhaust will have to be worked out

 

[ZBlackBeast]

IMHO its not worth it... Youd be better off getting a junk yard SOHC, rebuilding it and installing that.. It will be cheaper, easer and less time consuming. I liked my SOHC explorer more than the 5.0... I liked the low end grunt and exhaust tone of the 5.0 but the 4.0 had WAY more top end, had a nicer intake note, was easier to work on in the car and a more unique motor.. Oh, and it was WAYY better on gas.. If i could do it at all, i would get a SOHC explorer and build on that powertrain.. There isn't an AMAZING after market for it, but it is a stout motor, and you can buy a s/c kit for it if its not enough balls! ALSO 5R55E > 4R70W.. I HATED that transmission SOo god damn much...

 

[Turdle]

Well, my 4r70w transmission has been awesome!
I have a swap kit for sale that will hook you right up, and is definitely worth the investment IMO

 

[ZBlackBeast]

IIm not saying it was HORRIBLE.. But after getting use to the 5R, the 4R's gear ratios made me cry to sleep at night... i know its a 4 speed vs 5 speed.. But still.. i still like the 5R better... Plus, i did a lot of highway miles and 70 in the 5R was something stupid like 1700 RPM vs. 2400ish with the 4R.. The stock 5.0 really didnt have a power band in my opinion.. It had nice off the line grunt, but after about 3k it lost all momentum.. it felt like it picked a little back up about 4500 or so, but when it shifted.. oh god.. it was like almost having sex for the first time when your in HS, then BAM, your parents walk in.. Your not going to have any fun anymore..

 

[Mirge]

oh god.. It was like almost having sex for the first time when your in hs, then bam, your parents walk in.. Your not going to have any fun anymore..

lmao

 

[410Fortune]

the cost of this swap is the cost of how much you can pick up a wrecked 5.0L explorer for, around here they are $1500 and under
of course there are other costs like fluids, plugs, filters, belts, and replacing any damaged parts (radiator fan, etc) from your new donor 5.0L explorer

Rebuilding a SOHC and retaining the v6 transmission (sorry its a weak transmission in comparison to the 4r70w, I am talking strength and longevity here) is going to cost alot more then that... rebuild the SOHC V6? = $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

of course there are other costs like fluids, plugs, filters, belts, and replacing any damaged parts (radiator fan, etc) from your new donor 5.0L explorer


the V8 Explorer has plenty of power and torque, the 4 speed transmission could use some tuning, and if power is what you want the 5.0L has aftermarket support like a Jeep... it can leave the SOHC in the dust, especially with a boat in tow

Now dont get me wrong I love all our ranger based vehicle engines, the OHV, the SOHC, they are awesome V6's... but if you are going to choose between rebuilding a SOHC and getting a few more miles from your v6 automatic vs dropping in a used 5.0L drivetrain, I see no comparison

 

[Mirge]

the cost of this swap is the cost of how much you can pick up a wrecked 5.0L explorer for, around here they are $1500 and under

Rebuilding a SOHC and retaining the v6 transmission (sorry its a weak transmission in comparison to the 4r70w, I am talking strength and longevity here) is going to cost alot more then that... rebuild the SOHC V6? = $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

of course there are other costs like fluids, plugs, filters, belts, and replacing any damaged parts (radiator fan, etc) from your new donor 5.0L explorer


the V8 Explorer has plenty of power and torque, the 4 speed transmission could use some tuning, and if power is what you want the 5.0L has aftermarket support like a Jeep... it can leave the SOHC in the dust, especially with a boat in tow

Now dont get me wrong I love all our ranger based vehicle engines, the OHV, the SOHC, they are awesome V6's... but if you are going to choose between rebuilding a SOHC and getting a few more miles from your v6 automatic vs dropping in a used 5.0L drivetrain, I see no comparison

FWIW, it cost me a tad over $5,000 to get my 4.0L SOHC rebuilt, and the tranny rebuilt. If I could do it again, I would have gotten a 5.0 instead and called it good. Saved myself a bunch of cash as well.. would have that is.

Oh well, live & learn.

 

[410Fortune]

live and learn is right you dont have to tell me I had 6 transmissions in my BII behind the 4.0L 5 speeds and autos

screw that

I finally went 5.0L and smile smile smile

My buddy Brett put a 01 SOHC and 5 speed in his 93 sport.... wow what a conversion! the SOHC with a 5 speed is nice, but rebuilding one = $$$$$$ he picked up the entire SOHC Ranger Edge (T BONED read pass door in drivers head area) at auction for less then $3K, only had 13K miles on it or some crap

For the time and money he spent the 5.0L actually fits our gen I trucks better and is easier to work on, but I also spent twice as much hahahaha

When talking second gen trucks there is no question what the BEST drivetrain is for them... and again this is a BOLT IN DEAL not a conversion


Sometimes the V6 is worth it, but for me..I tow, I wheel, and I haul family across states at a time... the 5.0L v8 and 4r70w was the answer

 

[kevinspann]

Aren't the body harnesses seperate from the engine wiring harness. My mom got a 97 mountaineer...and we didnt look under it well enough...and the passenger side rocker is pretty much gone under the rear door dogleg. I'm thinking about finding a 97 ex with a good body and swapping the drivetrain over. Good idea or not?

 

[leon63]

I think the swap makes sense as long as everything else on the recipient vehicle is in good condition. Otherwise you might be better off just buying a V8 Explorer/Mounty in decent condition. There are some great deals out there these days. As to V6 vs V8 -- I've owned a 94 and a 96 with 4.0, 4-doors, 4x4, and a/t. The auto trans failed on both at around 90k-100k miles.

I now have a 98 Mounty with 5.0/awd and can tow with no problem or fear of the trans blowing up. Also my V6's got no better than 16-17 mpg on the fwy, and I can get consistent 18-19 mpg with the V8 -- go figure.

All three of my Explorer/Mounty vehicles have been excellent, and in my opinion the 5.0 / 4R70W combo has been awesome!!