Best 5.0 Setup for Reliability and Towing?

[RiverRat]

This is for a 96 Ranger 4x4 using a 5.0 and 4R70W out of a 1996 Explorer. I'm keeping the EEC V system (CA). The V8 engine has 95K miles on it. The truck weighs 4000 lbs with gas and no driver. I have 33s and 4.56 gears.

I want a very reliable rig that I can take on long trips to the desert and mountains. I also need good towing and the ability to accelerate as good or better than f150s, Tundras, and 5.3L chevys.

After serching the boards I found supercharging, E303 cam, k&m filter, chip, and exhaust are common upgrades.

I think I'll go with a 3" exhaust but are there any other mods I should look into? Thanks and this is a great board

 

[rvitek]

You hit them all RR, and welcome to the board!

I run an open filter, a cat-back and will soon be running a chip. The two by themselves is a nice addition to the power under load when towing, but I really haven't noticed any 'in the pants' feelings when not towing. My chip should take care of the later.

People like LowdPypes, Troll, James_T, and expo5.0 all have hopped up 5.0s. Ask them and I'm sure you'll be put in the right direction.

Good luck!

 

[RiverRat]

rvitek

I did look at Trolls rig... When I first saw the numbers on Trolls i thought he was kidding.... That is just one awsome truck. I'll check out the other rigs.

Since the engine is not in the ranger yet is there anything i should do to the 5.0 now? Should i replace any gaskets or do any other preventative maintainence before i drop the v8 into the ranger? What kind of problems do 5.0s have with 100k miles on them? Everything i have read says a stock 5.0 is good for 150-200+ thousand miles.

 

[RTStork]

Just drop her in! My father-in-law got 380,000 miles out of his 5.0L Bronco. Also my Mustang has 130,000 miles and I have seen many others at the drag strip with 150,000 +. I would put new valve cover gaskets and a new rear seal. The tend to leak after 100,000 miles or so. A new water pump would be a good idea too. Those are the only things that I've seen so far.

 

[Jason_25]

You will LOVE the 5.0 and 4R70W with 4.56 gears

RTstork's suggestions are great, and definitely go with an aftermarket exhaust.

 

[james t]

i second changing the rear main seal while you have the engine out. might as well. other than that, there really arent any things that "go out" on the 5.0... 100k miles that thing is just barely broken in. get some aftermarket ranger swap headers, and run a good exhaust. add a KKM intake (or your preference) and a chip, and you're good to go. if you want a cam, now is the time to do it.

 

[tmsoko]

I put a 1997 Explorer V8 into my 1999 Ranger 4x4 with the stock 4R70W and AWD transfercase. I eventually plan to swap in a 4404 Expedition t-case, but it will require me to loose 3gallons of fuel tank capacity. Check out pictures on my picture site:

http://groups.msn.com/MarlaTodd/ranger.msnw

The engine is bone stock with the GT40 Explorer heads and intake. I did use the ugly FRPP Explorer headers and used all 4 cats. From there, I custom made a 3.5" stainless mandrel bent single exhaust.

As for towing, I towed a 4x4 Nissan truck on a full U-Haul autotransport (total ~6000lbs) from Detroit to Akron with no issues. I was able to pull at 75-80MPH most of the way and power right up hills.

Oh, I also have 4:10 gears, so that helps

 

[Big Poppa]

The only common problem I've seen on the Explorer 5.0's is that the exhaust manifolds almost all leak. So, I would just go ahead and get a set of headers, especially since the engine is out.

My dad's '90 Bronco 5.0 went over 200k w/ no problems, I have 138k on my '96 Explorer V8- runs great.
Good luck