5.0 Sport Trac Swap

[hammer4570]

Just wondering, in swapping in a 5.0, would it be better to just swap the vehicles entire wireing harness and modules, ecu's so that the recipient thinks it's just a vehicle that the motor came out of. That way there's no box compatibility issues with the theft and ecu's or any of that junk. for example a 04 sport Trac would just think it's a 2000 model explorer. Thanks in advance for any information. Have a good day and Merry Christmas guys

 

[Mbrooks420]

You’re going to mate the two together, not use all of one, or another.

 

[410Fortune]

What year sport trac?
What year 5.0?


see here I converted a 02 trac to a 2000 Explorer 5.0

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[Mbrooks420]

04 trac
00 5.0

 

[410Fortune]

How did I miss that? Wild
Anyways
Same as the conversion posted above
The 04 trac is identical to the 02 I converted

 

[hammer4570]

Thanks for all the replies. Just seems logical that if everything is off one vehicle that parts and diagnostics would be easier. All the modules and sensors and ecu's and everything off the same year would be either walking in advance or RockAuto or whatever and get what you needed off the shelf without worrying about compatibility with the factory alarms and stuff. I've been reading about some compatibility issues with some of the modules and and alarm modules and stuff and just curious if I made it all one vehicle if it wouldn't be easier. Things again for your replies I really appreciate it.

 

[410Fortune]

It does not work like that
04 sport trac is a little different then a 96-01 explorer 5.0
The sport trac has a different PATs system, it has a different speed sensor system, fuel system has also changed, and the body computers are not compatible.
So you have to do a conversion
You cannot just bolt in the wiring from bumper to bumper from the 5.0 truck for these reasons.
The easiest way to do the conversion from 2004 4.0 SOHC drivetrain to a SBF based 5.0 drivetain is to perform a 5.0 conversion just like in the link above
There is not much wiring really, just the same old stuff, you have to add the 5.0 pats to the sport trac, you have to modify the alternator charging harness, the starter harness and the air conditioning, as well as move a few other wires around.
You have to do some simple plumbing to the fuel system and sort out the speed sensor signal to the computer and dash.

You are creating MUCH more work for yourself by trying to shove a 5.0 explorer inside of the sport trac shell, there are lots of things that will jump up and bite you.
If you build a 5.0 sport trac buying parts for it is not hard, basically its a 04 trac with a 01 5.0 engine and trans, not terribly difficult to sort out.

The link above I documented every single step required to convert a 02-05 trac to a 98-01 5.0 awd drivetrain, every single step.

Now with that said there are several ways to skin a cat, and I am SURE you could basically convert the trac to a complete 5.0 wiring truck, you will have much to sort out like all the light sockets are different, the explorer is expecting to see a 5th door (rear hatch) with wiper, defrost, locks, the 5.0 only had pats A, and the 5.0 trucks used a different ABS system, keyless entry, and more, these things can all be overcome, but why?
More work, similar results.

 

[hammer4570]

How did I miss that? Wild
Anyways
Same as the conversion posted above
The 04 trac is identical to the 02 I converted

Anyway thanks for the info and glad James is doing well. Looking at everything you did is absolutely awesome, but I still for some reason believe switching the wiring and modules and everything key switch yada yada yada from the explorer to the sport track then lengthening the harnesses and the rear door too short and maybe shorten the third brake light harness would be more conducive for factory replacement parts the trac would think it was a explorer at that point. Just thinking out loud again. not to put down anything anyone's done just my thought process. thanks again for your time guys really appreciate everything and everyone

 

[hammer4570]

Sorry my page heading updated so I didn't see your current post. Thanks again for the info but when I say swapping everything over that's what I was talking about swapping everything over literally the entire harness PATS system everything out of the explorer into the trac. I've already done a couple diesels this way so I was just thinking the same process would be simpler than all the converter modules and wiring. I'm not as good as you want but I'm not shabby just for some reason seems more difficult. Like we say in the maintenance field your four guys a project and you'll get four parts list and the job will be done four ways and all four will work. Thanks again for all your help and if you don't mind letting me pick your brain that'll help. Thanks again and everyone have a great holidays.

 

[Mbrooks420]

Anyway thanks for the info and glad James is doing well. Looking at everything you did is absolutely awesome, but I still for some reason believe switching the wiring and modules and everything key switch yada yada yada from the explorer to the sport track then lengthening the harnesses and the rear door too short and maybe shorten the third brake light harness would be more conducive for factory replacement parts the trac would think it was a explorer at that point. Just thinking out loud again. not to put down anything anyone's done just my thought process. thanks again for your time guys really appreciate everything and everyone

If you repin the harnesses you just buy the factory replacement parts for the Trac. (Not like the modules often fail)

You are also introducing many future points of failure when you extend a harness.

 

[Hammer223]

I guess what I'm looking at the most is the Dakota digital modules interfaces. If your back off somewhere in the middle of nowhere four wheeling for a week long trip and one of those goes bad what do you do. If you have all factory modules all you need to do is find one for the vehicle you swap the harness and everything from Ie 2000 explorer. I guess I have a lot more research and thinking to do before I start. Thanks again for all you guys comments and thoughts. Happy holidays.

 

[410Fortune]

I totally get where you are coming from!!!

the dakota digital speedometer interface is not required to drive the vehicle, she will limp home without it operational
You also do not HAVE to use the dakota box, many people will use the 5.0 explorer ABS module and add the G force transducer to the frame rail thus giving you a 100% Ford factory like conversion. These two items will take care of the vss signal, just like they do in the 5.0 trucks.
The reason I use the dakota box is it allows fine tuning of the speed signal for tire size changes and most of the trucks we build here are lifted and use large tires. Once your tires get large enough the factory computer cannot compensate, so the dakota box kills two birds with one stone.

When you convert a sport trac as I did (or many others have done, I simply documented my build) it turns out basically exactly as Ford would have built it, WITHOUT having to swap in the 4 door explorer body harness
The explorer is expecting to see rear hatch glass, rear hatch lock, rear hatch wiper and washer, keyless entry, and a few other things a Spot trac does not have, sure these can be wired around but you are trying to avoid any custom wiring, well that kills it right there, you will HAVE to merge the explorer and sport trac "body computers" one way or the other

 

[CDW6212R]

Ditto, you want to use the vehicle models' GEM module, those are picky and full of electronics. You should want that to remain a part to hunt in the future, to match the vehicle.

I hope to use an Explorer GEM module in my 92 Lincoln, and that will be a hell of a PITA to figure out. Don't do it(change GEM's) if there is a way around it.

 

[410Fortune]

yes and in 04 there is no GEM it is now a keyless entry/locks computer, a 4x4 control computer, and more they have been separated into individual modules like they used to do before the GEM this is all part of the big change that happened in 05-06 now the modules all talk to each other on a BUS network and the instrument cluster becomes the end user interface....so after 05 these trucks get ALOT harder to convert
But an 04 sport trac is only slightly different then a 01 5.0 truck and accepts the 98-01 drivetrain quite easily

 

[CDW6212R]

I might need to pick your brain later about the GEM's. I want one mainly for the power saver functions, the other features aren't a big deal for my Lincoln(which has no combining modules). A different Ford GEM may be simpler or easier to install, to do the same things I need.

 

[imp]

I might need to pick your brain later about the GEM's. I want one mainly for the power saver functions, the other features aren't a big deal for my Lincoln(which has no combining modules). A different Ford GEM may be simpler or easier to install, to do the same things I need.

Personally, given a vehicle with NO power-saver provisions, I would wire up my own to shut down only a few selected loads, using possibly one solid-state adjustable off-delay relay; Years back I used Artisan brand, not sure if they still exist. Leave a door ajar, lights turn off until reset (door open/closed).

 

[CDW6212R]

Personally, given a vehicle with NO power-saver provisions, I would wire up my own to shut down only a few selected loads, using possibly one solid-state adjustable off-delay relay; Years back I used Artisan brand, not sure if they still exist. Leave a door ajar, lights turn off until reset (door open/closed).

Very good thought, I'll consider what a GEM may be useful for in my car, before doing something.

 

[hammer4570]

Thanks again for all the help. I have one for 410Fortune. How about an aftermarket fuel injection system and a regular distributor. Looked at building the 302 in my donor but turns out it has a 50oz balance weight instead of 28oz like most other ford v8s and aftermarket parts suppliers. Just checking if anybody had tried it.

 

[Mbrooks420]

I’m sure it’s been done. There are Explorer 5.0 running on carbs, even.

 

[410Fortune]

oh sure you can
But of course you need to check with your local emissions rules, putting a carbed engine into a sport trac is not going to pass emissions if NC has them, in fact after 2001 most places (CA, WA, CO, NY) wont even allow a pushrod small block Ford since 2001 was the last year of the pushrod 5.0
Most of the vehicles I convert to 5.0 are older then the 5.0 engine (last year was 2001) so the conversion is legal as long as I retain all of the emissions equipment
To put a carb on there is like working backwards.
The best part about the 96-01 5.0 is the distributor less ignition, the fuel injection, the OBD2 computer and all the goodies that go along with it, like short serpentine front dress with high volume oil and water pumps, 135 amp alternator and the metal power steering pump (not the ford plastic whiner)
Yes the gt40 based 5.0 engines (96-01) use the 50oz external balancer and the HO firing order

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