-Deathrow Update Log-

[DemonMudder]

one thing however, is that i believe bkennedy has the ohv version of the sohc, which makes less power, and also has a different powrrband as well... and i believe he may have the chevy 700r4, which further complicates the comparison, as the ohv+700r4 may translate into a different best speed for that vs the sohc/5r55e... but I do agree that at some point, the 5.0 may be a good bet, as its more stout than the sohc, along with more power adder options... one thing to consider also though is that you can buy an awd 5.0 already, and swap a 4406 into it,, although I do know youve put tons of work into deathrow... just food for thought... but best of luck with the build!!!

Yeah, that could throw the comparison of a decent chunk. Yeah, I debated on the just swapping a 5.0 to the 4406 rather than mine, that route, but yeah, no, I'm too biased to this truck. Besides, most of the rest of my family has V8s, got to show them what MY truck is made of since they all think it's a hunk of junk that for some reason has had less issues than ALL of theirs; mom has a '02 5.4 V8 F150, her bf has a '03 chevy 2500, brother has a '94 suburban, dad has an itty bitty '02 2wd blazer (freaking vortec might as well be a dang V8), and his wife has a '10(I think? Around that year) highlander with a slightly better V6 engine. Never thought it would be this hard to find a donor V8, but hopefully I'll have the cash and I can just work on it all this summer. I could nab a wrecked one if I can find one for sale, only see ones for like $4k because they're in decent shape. Thanks, probably going to need all the dang luck I can get, swear this truck is the best thing but also going to be the cause of my death.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

yeah! show em that the v6 can still play with v8s (for now ), then how much better the 5.0 can be! and how much better built is, rather than bought!!

 

[DemonMudder]

yeah! show em that the v6 can still play with v8s (for now ), then how much better the 5.0 can be! and how much better built is, rather than bought!!

Agreed! They bought theirs all already setup with lifts and such, mine was all oem. So I can't deny even though they've built further onto theirs, I've still done more! Mine also seems to have less issues than any of theirs, mom has a gem module thats dying in her f150, her bf has a dying transmission in the silverado, brother has to rebuild the top of his engine to fix his burbans constant ticking (already had to replace the transmission and needs to do the same for his GMC Jimmy), and my dads blazer has a transmission that's going; I'm the only one that has a seemingly okay truck, yet they still claim mine's the hunk of junk, even with that V6 that ain't gotten me stuck yet! Yeah, sorry, I still can't let that go, they really need to get off their high horse and really look at what they're driving, or I'll end up picking them up from the side of the road with that V6 they don't like!

 

[donalds]

I like the underdog

 

[Fix4Dirt]

Agreed! They bought theirs all already setup with lifts and such, mine was all oem. So I can't deny even though they've built further onto theirs, I've still done more! Mine also seems to have less issues than any of theirs, mom has a gem module thats dying in her f150, her bf has a dying transmission in the silverado, brother has to rebuild the top of his engine to fix his burbans constant ticking (already had to replace the transmission and needs to do the same for his GMC Jimmy), and my dads blazer has a transmission that's going; I'm the only one that has a seemingly okay truck, yet they still claim mine's the hunk of junk, even with that V6 that ain't gotten me stuck yet! Yeah, sorry, I still can't let that go, they really need to get off their high horse and really look at what they're driving, or I'll end up picking them up from the side of the road with that V6 they don't like!

i think theyre just jealous that you have a v6 thats doing better than their v8s!!! so while their v8 may look good in the driveway, yours is the best of them all because you love your truck and take good care of it!

 

[DemonMudder]

Oh and and I almost forgot to mention, complete side note just for fun: a few weeks ago, mom copied my skull idea! Technically I threw it on for her since I had a better idea of safely mounting it thanks to doing mine, but still just a fun little thing to see

 

[410Fortune]

The best part about the 5.0 conversion is not the power gains, it is the reliability and the three quarter ton transmission.

The stock 5.0 makes less power then the sohc engine so do not swap to the v8 thinking you will magically have all of this new found power….but you will have a reliable truck that barely asks for anything ever. Swapped my bii in 2005 that’s 17 years ago now…. Daily driven and daily four wheeling… she just keeps on going

 

[DemonMudder]

The best part about the 5.0 conversion is not the power gains, it is the reliability and the three quarter ton transmission.

The stock 5.0 makes less power then the sohc engine so do not swap to the v8 thinking you will magically have all of this new found power….but you will have a reliable truck that barely asks for anything ever. Swapped my bii in 2005 that’s 17 years ago now…. Daily driven and daily four wheeling… she just keeps on going

Wait, I thought the 5.0 had like 5 more hp and about 30lbs of more torque, I mean it wouldn't have been crazy noticeable at stock but its really less than the SOHC? I've certainly seen from a lot of people that it's more reliable, especially if I can swap it from awd to 4wd, shouldn't eat up tires as much, making it even nicer. Be keeping my eye on facebook marketplace and craigslist for a 5.0 up for sale for cheap. Thank you for throwing your opinion in, glad to see everyone's views match up here. Anyone have a suggestion for somewhere else to look as well, let me know

 

[410Fortune]

I like the underdog

Me too! 1988 ford bronco ii, the crappiest 4x4 ford ever built!

(But it has potential!) lol lol

The sohc v6 with the 5 speed will outrun a stock 5.0 truck, get better mpg, and basically just drives better all over town.
But that’s where it ends
Ditch the awd, get some headers and now the 5.0 shines

The v6 and the v6 trans will require far more maintenance and repairs costs over the life of the vehicle. Also I will never own a sohc and 5r55e…. Never! I will rebuild and. fix them all day long But never ever own one
I don’t have to! I’m spoiled. Ford shoehorned the 302 into the sploder in 96… and so should you!

 

[DemonMudder]

Me too! 1988 ford bronco ii, the crappiest 4x4 ford ever built!

(But it has potential!) lol lol

The sohc v6 with the 5 speed will outrun a stock 5.0 truck, get better mpg, and basically just drives better all over town.
But that’s where it ends
Ditch the awd, get some headers and now the 5.0 shines

The bronco ii can be a nice truck if ya use it right, seen a few people (410 included) make those into some pretty nice builds. Did not know that about to sohc, good to know actually, and I do agree that's probably my best option for a starter route with the 5.0.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

also doesnt the 5.0 make more low/mid range? or is it just my imagination... also i hesr that the 5.0 with tmh and a shift kit should be able to then compete with the sohc...

 

[DemonMudder]

also doesnt the 5.0 make more low/mid range? or is it just my imagination... also i hesr that the 5.0 with tmh and a shift kit should be able to then compete with the sohc...

The tmh? Sorry, could be just still waking up, but can't say I've heard of a tmh

 

[Fix4Dirt]

The tmh? Sorry, could be just still waking up, but can't say I've heard of a tmh

afaik tmh is torque monster headers

TorqueMonsterHeaders.com

torquemonsterheaders.com

edit: i see 410 already mentioned headers...

 

[DemonMudder]

afaik tmh is torque monster headers

TorqueMonsterHeaders.com

torquemonsterheaders.com

Ahhh, yeah now I see it, that should've clicked that thats what tmh stood for. Man I need to wake up

 

[Fix4Dirt]

no worries! ive done that many times (just a side note: i dont own a 5.0... but ive read alot about them, so trust 410 alot more... he actually drives them!)

 

[DemonMudder]

no worries! ive done that many times (just a side note: i dont own a 5.0... but ive read alot about them, so trust 410 alot more... he actually drives them!)

That works! Been asking here and a few on facebook about the 5.0s. I've been reading more on them now that I'm planning, but didn't used to as much so I'm not as knowledgeable on its addons versus the sohc. Sorry if I bug anyone, when I get closer towards this project, I'll start probably directly messaging a few of y'all with questions if that's okay, ain't never done anything close to this, still ain't sure I want to try (still tempted to ask a shop to do the dang swap and I'll do the whole 4406 swap myself). So I appreciate all of the advice, tips, suggestions and just flat out facts that y'all have and are giving here, mean time I'll continue my 5.0 thread reading for now

 

[410Fortune]

Yeah buddy!!

I had never done anything Like this before back in the 90’s when I read an article In four wheeler about replacing your 2.9 w a pushrod 4.0
I had some mechanic friends and I was tired of the 2.9, met a retired dude that was willing to help me with the wiring so we went for it. Took two years to work out the bugs
I learn by doing apparently
4.0 ohv is the perfect engine for a bronco ii
It’s the auto transmissions that stink and suck the life out of you
Because I love wrenching on trucks I started to gather tools and learn on books, with friends and of course the best tool we have….the internet
Now I have been doing conversions since 1996? Or so and I have done many many
I have several 5.0 builds online
I spent about 10 years away from the forums while I was raising my son and building up a shop
I’ve been back online for about 5 years now
I am here to help
Before I ever turned a wrench on a 5.0 obd2 conversion for my truck I had researched them for years and taken notes
The 302 swap has been done many times and is well documented
I am doing another one right now and I have at least two more of my own planned for 2022
We can help! 5.0 conversions can be done for $2500 to 25,000 in a long week or over years. Many many variables
Very much worth it if you plan to keep your truck forever and use it daily
So much research, read the forums, ask questions and the. Decide if it is for you and something you can pull off
My first conversion was done at friends houses in their driveways, using borrowed and rented tools.
When I let the clutch out for the first time in the now 4.0 powered bii I knew I had made the right choice. The 2.9l was not meant for trucks, the 4.0 was. After 5 or 6 transmissions (learn by doing I went 5 speed to auto) I finally went 5.0. Now everyone in my family drives a 5.0 something or another… cheap to own operate, extremely reliable and very very capable. Now we build all sorts of stuff, I work on everything from generators to bulldozers and I built a family private shop around these trucks, I still have my desk job too.
Where there is a will there is a way

 

[DemonMudder]

Yeah buddy!!

I had never done anything Like this before back in the 90’s when I read an article In four wheeler about replacing your 2.9 w a pushrod 4.0
I had some mechanic friends and I was tired of the 2.9, met a retired dude that was willing to help me with the wiring so we went for it. Took two years to work out the bugs
I learn by doing apparently
4.0 ohv is the perfect engine for a bronco ii
It’s the auto transmissions that stink and suck the life out of you
Because I love wrenching on trucks I started to gather tools and learn on books, with friends and of course the best tool we have….the internet
Now I have been doing conversions since 1996? Or so and I have done many many
I have several 5.0 builds online
I spent about 10 years away from the forums while I was raising my son and building up a shop
I’ve been back online for about 5 years now
I am here to help
Before I ever turned a wrench on a 5.0 obd2 conversion for my truck I had researched them for years and taken notes
The 302 swap has been done many times and is well documented
I am doing another one right now and I have at least two more of my own planned for 2022
We can help! 5.0 conversions can be done for $2500 to 25,000 in a long week or over years. Many many variables
Very much worth it if you plan to keep your truck forever and use it daily
So much research, read the forums, ask questions and the. Decide if it is for you and something you can pull off
My first conversion was done at friends houses in their driveways, using borrowed and rented tools.
When I let the clutch out for the first time in the now 4.0 powered bii I knew I had made the right choice. The 2.9l was not meant for trucks, the 4.0 was. After 5 or 6 transmissions (learn by doing I went 5 speed to auto) I finally went 5.0. Now everyone in my family drives a 5.0 something or another… cheap to own operate, extremely reliable and very very capable. Now we build all sorts of stuff, I work on everything from generators to bulldozers and I built a family private shop around these trucks, I still have my desk job too.
Where there is a will there is a way

That legit was an incredible read, and I do think you made the right choice researching it for a few years first. Probably going to do the same, especially since as I've said, I hate to swap my engine out when it's still working perfectly fine. I'll research until the time comes, bound to have a timing chain issue sooner or later since it's got 226000 miles on it. Hopefully it lasts my a year or so until I have my own place or my family moves to Tennessee, they're trying to find a decent amount of property and said I could join them, at least on the edge of the property, so maybe once that happens I'll confirm the swap. Still going to keep an eye out for a cheap 5.0 if I find one, I'm sure I could pull just about anything on that truck off if I actually decide to get down to it, family of self taught mechanics to help out, if they're willing! Thanks for that @410Fortune, nice job on building up your own little business too!

 

[410Fortune]

Sohc engines are tough as nails!
As long as:
Change your oil
Change tensioners at first sign of cold start rattle or every150k miles

The v6 auto trans are good transmissions from the factory!! Heat is the enemy

Maintenance is key

I have a ford ranger and explorer shop because they have earned our respect around here

 

[DemonMudder]

Sohc engines are tough as nails!
As long as:
Change your oil
Change tensioners at first sign of cold start rattle or every150k miles

The v6 auto trans are good transmissions from the factory!! Heat is the enemy

Maintenance is key

I have a ford ranger and explorer shop because they have earned our respect around here

Thankfully mine ain't ever gotten too hot, they are nice trucks, both the ranger and the explorer! May not be a big ol' f150 or anything, but they earn their place all the same. Too bad I'm not closer to ya, would be neat to see that shop