James W Moore
New Member
- Joined
- December 17, 2018
- Messages
- 8
- Reaction score
- 3
- Location
- Maybee, Ohio
- City, State
- Columbus, Ohio
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2003 Ford Explorer Sport
- Callsign
- BFC
2003 Ford Explorer sport (2dr hardtop) 5 speed 4.0 with abt 130,000 miles. It has no issues as of right now. I have looked into the engine swaps (most folks go for power and bigger) I know most of these swaps are either a direct Explorer (or explorer equivalent Mountaineer/Aviator or Ranger) So easy swap would be the 4.0 sohc for same motor or possibly 4.0 OHV older style motor. Or something bigger like a 5.0 v-8 or 4.6 v-8 out of a similar year. Has anyone gone for MPG and taken a smaller Ranger 4 cylinder and dropped it into an Explorer? I have a buddy with 3 totaled ford Rangers (muddy runners now) 2002-2006 all 4 cylinder 5 speeds only rwd. He has a 4th Ranger 4x4 his favorite he modded with a 5.0 and 5 speed (which is his favorite). He told me if I wanted any of the 4 cylinders I could have them with tranny attached. So my question is with computer and wiring harness, could I stick the Ford Ranger 4 cylinder with 5 speed tranny bolt right into the 2003 Explorer SPORT. Considering it is a smaller more many of the parts and frame mounting areas are the same. The weight difference between a Ford Ranger and the Explorer sport is close. I also thought about a major refit of the Ford straight 6 and manual 4 speed cause I have a 1974 F-150 (no computer crap to deal with but same poor MPG) with this and a broken rusted out frame but it ran when parked...I have the parts, I'll do the work. I do not want to have to go buy stuff, If I don't have to. Anyone ever done either?