4.0L OHV & 4R55E to 4.0L SOHC & M5OD

[ZNathan130]

Okay, technically this is a swap question, but it revolves around transmissions...

I'm going to do an engine swap, trans swap, dual tank conversion, and suspension revival (plus other misc stuff)...

What I'm looking for is an M5OD-R1 (HD if I'm lucky), a 4.0L SOHC engine, and an operating fuel system.

When I'm looking for these things, would it be easiest to just try to find a late 90's ranger or explorer with all of those so I can just use it as a donor and pull what I need? If so, what will I need? Besides the big three I listed, I assumed I'll probably need the computer. Anything else?

Or will it be easy and cheap enough to buy everything seperately?

 

[410Fortune]

if you end up with a late model SOHC and 5 speed, from a 98+, you can always convert it back to the 97 style SOHC intake and fuel rail, so you can keep your 96 style fuel system'

Best bet though is to buy the entire donor vehicle, you will always run into parts you need if you dont get them all at once, this adds cost and time big time

I still vote V8 same $$$ same effort, better results although getting a 5 speed can be tough

 

[ZNathan130]

I still vote V8 same $$$ same effort, better results although getting a 5 speed can be tough

Yeah, yeah. You want me to have a v8. And I might end up going for one if I don't find a good SOHC. I'd prefer not to have the 302 since this is my daily driver, though.

I've been soaking up as much M5OD info as possible, but I'm growing worried about actually getting one. I think I'll go to our pic-a-part and see if they'll sell whole vehicles. If not, there are a few good ol' fashion jy's around here.

It would be sweet if I could get a ranger donor with an in tact bed and rear axle.
Can you say free trailer?

 

[410Fortune]

the 5.0L gets the same mileage as the SOHC in these trucks just FYI

the only reason I vote V8 is because your truck came with one and I have been around the block... messing with the V6 transmissions just sucks IMO, way too much time and $$$ for poor results

I do a bit of towing and wheeling so that does not help

the SOHC and V8 drivetrains will cost you the same used, sometimes the V8 may even be cheaper.
The V8 transmission can be cheaper to rebuild also, the 5.0L has been around a long time and they just happened to stuff the best 5.0L ford made into the explorer, the gt-40 full roller, short front dress, good fuel injection and good ignition, no timing chain issues (There is one on front of the engine and its a dual chain setup factory).

the reliabiliy of the V8 drivetrain vs the V6 drivetrain are why I will always vote V8

Now thats not to say the SOHC is not alot of fun, it is, especially in front of a 5 speed, that sucker is rev happy, it also has HUGE heads and its difficult to fit and work on IMO... except in your case, it would bolt right in, they both will

in any case do your research, drivetrain conversions are fun and a great way to avoid car payments!

 

[ZNathan130]

What kind of mileage are you getting with the v8 in your DD (the 96 XLT)?

 

[410Fortune]

the super crappy kind

I am not a good MPG example
I have a E303 cam
I have 33" tires
I have 3.73 gears
I live at 5200' and run 85 octane, my work is at 7000', so my drive is in the MOUNTAINS
I have a lead foot

Look around on here, the SOHC and 5.0L V8 get similar MPG this is something I learned on here not something I debated

My BII gets about 12-14 MPG (5.0L, 4r70w, 4.10 gears, 35" tires)
my Explorer gets about 12-18 mpg depending on how I drive on the higway the explorer rules, at 75 while towing toys I sit at 2200 RPM doing this I get 18-22 mpg estimated.

I can tell you I tow a 19' boat from Colorado to Nebraska in a V8 96 Ex on 33's
at the same time my son in law used his 97 OHV V6 on 29's to tow two jet skis on the same trip

we filled up at the same time on the way there, 4 hour drive, we were both under 1/8 tank and needed gas. Average was 70 MPH there and back... his Ex was almost out of gas when we got there, I had 1/3 tank left....... same was true on the return trip

His V6 was towing a lighter load yet he used more gas, his truck had to use more RPM to keep up, pull the hills, pass other cars, etc....... the MPG difference V6 vs V8 is silly, these are 4500# AWD/4x4 SUV's not a 1.3L Yaris

 

[ZNathan130]

410 Fortune, your this [___] close to having me sold. More research to be done, though.

 

[410Fortune]

i WANT YOU TO BE THIS CLOSE [] lol

Dang my buddy brett just sold his 1996 explorer drivetrain complete with 60K miles on it

I see V8 explorers parting out on craigslist EVERY DAY

 

[ZNathan130]

I could definitely get one on craigslist for cheap, but it would most likely be an auto trans, and I REALLY want the 5-speed manual. It'll just take some looking around.

 

[dkchrist]

I would say the 5.0l too. A 5.0 with a 5 sp. if you can find an f150 with the 5 sp. (~86-96) can't remember when they started using the M5R2.

Here is a thread about the 5 sp. swap

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=248285

 

[Glen4X4]

So what was decided on? I been researching awhile on the SOHC swap so I keep my tranny but after 410's debation I think I might just swap the 5.0 like I've always wanted. Just have to swap the pass. axle shaft for the oil pan.

 

[ZNathan130]

I would say the 5.0l too. A 5.0 with a 5 sp. if you can find an f150 with the 5 sp. (~86-96) can't remember when they started using the M5R2.

Here is a thread about the 5 sp. swap

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=248285

Well, doing some research on the F-series, I'm pretty positive I'm looking for a late 80's/early 90's truck. Aiming for 4x4 with the 5-speed so that the need for parts is limited. Will update if I find anything.