Explorer Compatibility Years? 97-00??

[Peterbuiltprincess93]

Just bought an well used 97 Explorer. 4.0 (not the sohc) and was thinking I got a pretty good deal on it until the first day I drove it to work. Noticed it shifting harder than normal. I was griping to a coworker about it who proceeded to try to sell me his parts explorer. same motor, same on the fly 4wd selector...but his is a 2000. I guess the question I have here is...Is there anyone who knows what year compatibilities are? Would a 2000 engine/tranny combo mix line up with a 97 drivetrain? Or any combination of bolt up combos onto my 97? Dr. Google has been extremely not helpful with this. Figured the experts here could help us out. Thank you!

 

[allmyEXes]

If they are both OHVs I think that stripped down to the long block they would be the same.
ADDED @ 1 P.M.-But I know very little about OHVs and my '92 has an "X" in the VIN

 

[974X4BLACKSPORT]

Lest have a look at your door sticker, we need to see what your vehicle is equipped with. Here is mine.........

 

[Peterbuiltprincess93]

I will get one up of mine in the garage soon here. Will have to go out tomorrow and get a pic of the inside of the 2000

 

[Peterbuiltprincess93]

Heres what i got
--Mine has the "X" in the vin also

 

[974X4BLACKSPORT]

Very interesting, Both are from Louisville KY, mine is one month newer, you have 3;73 LSD with same engine and transmission,, Mine has 4;10 LSD!

 

[Peterbuiltprincess93]

I am not trying to sound unappreciative. I spent a few minutes comparing the badges there...and concluded I have no idea what you are talking about lol. All out my ignorance of course.

If I were to compare the badges of the parts truck to mine...would I be able to glean the info (for compatibility for engine/trans) off of that at a glance? You think? Its all greek to me looking at these things, aside looking for a paint code. Chose body work for a reason at vo-tech lol

 

[974X4BLACKSPORT]

If you want to learn more about the door stickers, do a simple GOOGLE ssearch, lots of info on how to decode all the "codes".

 

[EB4X]

Ford Explorer << CLICK LINK

 

[toypaseo]

Check your transmission fluid level. Mine was shifting harder than usual, and adding fluid made it shift "normal"...

 

[Mbrooks420]

Very interesting, Both are from Louisville KY, mine is one month newer, you have 3;73 LSD with same engine and transmission,, Mine has 4;10 LSD!

All second gens should be from Louisville. That plant is HUGE.

The motor should be able to be made to work. Not positive it’s a direct bolt in, but the shortblock at the least will work.

I think both transmissions should be 5r55e’s. There may be wiring changes between the years. Since you have both vehicles I’m pretty sure it can all be sorted out.

 

[EB4X]

Try a bottle of
"Lucas Oil Products Transmission Fix"
For $10 you can't go wrong.... I put a bottle into occasionally slipping Aerostar and it gave it another 6 months of trouble-free shifting before going kaput
Not into snake oil products but this stuff really works/helps.... Lucas is very reputable in all their products...

 

[Peterbuiltprincess93]

Thank you all for the wisdom. Ive heard and thought that Lucas is not a bad way to go. I have checked the trans fluid and it was OVER-full...which leads me to think theres been some mickey mousing to get it sold. Draining, replacing with OEM recommended fluid and changed the filter didn't fix it. If the Lucas doesn't work, I'm comfortable spending the nickels on the backup truck with what I've read here. Thank you all so much..really mean that

 

[Godzilla2y]

EB4X posted a link above that shows some of the differences between the 97s and the 2000s.

Here's some of the more or less important parts to pull out of it:

If you have a 97 OHV (or SOHC), it will have the 5r55e transmission, assuming you've got an auto.

If your friend has the 2000 with the OHV (or SOHC), it will also have the 5r55e, also assuming it's an automatic.

It should* bolt up just fine from one to the other, as long as you've got the same engine and transmission.