5.0 explorer motor swap into an expedition

[malodin]

not at all sure where to post this but here goes.

I have a 1996 explorer with 155k on the clock one owner rig excellent runner that was involved in a front end collision

i wanted to fix it up but dont want to spend 1000+ on it when i can go get a nice awd around here for 2000-2500

however i do want an expedition and there are a few on c/l around here with blown motors for under 1500 but in really good body shape.

I know the expedition is a mod based motor and all that, but i gotta imagine that the differential and all is on the same side. I can build my own frame mounts and transfercase mount etc. so why wouldnt it be feasible to install the 5.0 into the expedition?

i was looking at hp ratings and the explorer 5.0 is like 210 and the expedition mod motors pre PI motors are 4.6 at 215 and 5.4 is 230, granted those are both more hp than the 5.0 but the 5.0 could be moddified fairly cheaply to hit 250hp just fine.

the expeditions curb weight is 5800 or so and the explorer i think weighed in at 4800 so almost 1k more in weight that may play a deciding factor as well.

I am just in the beginning stages of contemplating it and would appreciate anyone's input, but please try not to dog the idea, i mean after all tons of people swap the 5.0 into rangers.

 

[Dan Whitaker]

For starters you will have to use the ECM from the Explorer. It's possible the injector plugs are different. The exhaust will have to be custom made. It's very possible the Explorer exhaust manifolds won't even fit the Expedition frame. Custom made headers cost big bucks.

Honestly it's going to be a lot of work and the time/money far outweighs the cost of having a 4.6 or 5.4 rebuilt.

Why not use the engine & trans for the Falcon sitting next to the Explorer. It will be much simpler & way more cool factor than a 5.0 powered Expedition.

 

[Spdrcer34]

It won't be a hard swap.

The 302's were installed in MILLIONS of F-150's.....literally.

And the Expedition is based on the F-series truck. Mounts won't be hard.

Wiring, and smog inspection would be a MAJOR hurdle.

But most of all, I think the 302 is severely underpowered for the Expedition.

Ryan

 

[malodin]

Why not use the engine & trans for the Falcon sitting next to the Explorer. It will be much simpler & way more cool factor than a 5.0 powered Expedition.

good eye!!! i have a built 88 mustang gt roller motor with a 93 mass air swap kit for it.

and your right about the ecu and all that(wiring doesnt scare me at all) the headers might be an issue but the fact the mod motor is a wider block than the 5.0 i would think the headers or normal 302 headers would fit without to much work, i have built my own exhaust systems save for headers.

 

[malodin]

ryan, that is kind of my thinking but when looking at the hp rating of the mod motors and all the little bits and bobs you can do to the 5.0 i am thinking for the money i get from parting the explorer out i could do some simple mods and uprate the 302. the only issue then becomes the weight of the expedition, though the 4.6/5.4 are not that much bigger motors in terms of power output

i suppose then a 351 truck motor might be a better choice

i dont know i just hate to get rid of this explorer but dont want to spend the money on it to fix it up correctly, but the motor is such a sweet runner

 

[williams.cory]

Would a 5.0 even bolt up to the Expedition trans? I would think it would if the expediton had a 4.6L because it had the 4R70W, but the 5.4's had the E4OD...

 

[410Fortune]

You are going thwe wrong way!!!

5.0L is a small block, expedition is begging for a BIG BLOCK or diesel

If you want to put that 5.0L into something, get a Gen I explorer or a Ranger IMO, make something cool



Would you be using the explorer transmission and transfer case?

Putting a 96 engine into an Expedition would not be emissions legal in many places, so you may want to look into that also depending on your laws

 

[williams.cory]

You are going thwe wrong way!!!

5.0L is a small block, expedition is begging for a BIG BLOCK or diesel

If you want to put that 5.0L into something, get a Gen I explorer or a Ranger IMO, make something cool



Would you be using the explorer transmission and transfer case?

Putting a 96 engine into an Expedition would not be emissions legal in many places, so you may want to look into that also depending on your laws

agree.

somthing like this, but this is a Ranger. I Talk about COOL!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BBqWFTxFQ0

 

[malodin]

you guys are correct a big block swap would be much better in an expedition rather than the 5.0, its just such a shame to waste the 5.0. V8 rangers around here are dime a dozen and have been done to death, and since i hate the looks of the gen 1 explorers that's out.

i would be swapping the entire drive train save for axles.

as for emissions legal, i have a few places here that dont require emissions to get my title at, and also around here if they can scan the door and scan the computer and pass they dont look at anything else(i suppose then it comes down to if it tells there computer hey i am an explorer not an expedition lol)

personally i would rather sell the explorer to someone who wants to fix it or use it for a complete donor swap into something they want, but no one would give me the 1600 i want for it.

 

[mrkstyle]

5.0

so im kinda in the same boat. i have a 97 explorer 5.0 that my bosses daughter just wrecked. i own a 94 f150 4x4 and was thinking of tring to put the motor in mine instead of the 3.0 straight 6. also my boss has a 99 expedition with a 4.6, that needs rebuilding. one of us gets the motor if itll go in either. so my question is which way should we go.

 

[malodin]

so im kinda in the same boat. i have a 97 explorer 5.0 that my bosses daughter just wrecked. i own a 94 f150 4x4 and was thinking of tring to put the motor in mine instead of the 3.0 straight 6. also my boss has a 99 expedition with a 4.6, that needs rebuilding. one of us gets the motor if itll go in either. so my question is which way should we go.

Talk about bring up an old thread lol....i ended up fixing the explorer and ita still on the road.

In answer to your question the easiest would be to swap the explorer motor into the f150, they came with the 5.0v8's also so probably hardest part you would have to find is v8 motor mounts off a junkyard truck of thr similar year...

You dont mention that the f150 is manual or automatic, if automatic even easier as iirc you should be able to swap all explorer v8/trans/tcase. Might have to shorten or lengthen driveline but relatively easy swap