EXPLORER QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT KNOW>

[dirtalliance]

Hey

Im going to be getting an explorer & would like a armed 2wd version
Looking at a 96-98
A few questions...

Can you get a 2wd 5.0?

Can you get a 5.0 with a manula tranny?

How is the engine/tranny in these. I will be offroading

Is this the same front end as a Ranger edge? IE can I get a suspenion system designed for an edge & will it work on this too..?

Thanks so much

 

[96limitedX]

yes 5.0s came in 2WD

5.0s ONLY came with AUTOs and the autos in the 5.0s are bullit proof!

the tranny and 5.0 are some of the most reliable there is..very die hard stuff!!

yes the sup on EXs is the same as a 98-current 4X4 ranger.


EDIT your going to be 4x4in..but you want 2wd???????

 

[section525]

Pre-runner probably.

Like 96limitedX said the trannies are great. But, you can visit baumannengineering.com if you want to really hop it up. Or, Glacier will be doing a 'rebuild, build-up' on the 4R70W here shortly.

 

[prozachappy]

Welcome to the site . Seen ya around over on the DR forum. You sellin yr truck or jus starting a new project? As far as the 5.0 X goes...it'll take a beatin and keep movin...especially if you plan on caging it for prerun. Auto is your only throwback, but if the auto goes you can always put a T5 manny in it. As far as the front T-bar/A arm set up on the X...they are similar to the Edge. Talk to Jerry over @ Cburg, I think they've sold a few of their Edge systems to Xporers. You planning on running a LT system up front and linking the rear ? Talk with Exploda over on DR...he's got a fully caged X with coilovers up front and bypasses in the rear, he can probably help ya out.
Try searching the site here, you'll find all your answers.

 

[Jester1994]

Do it...

I have a 97 5.0 AWD Eddie Bauer, I've had it for 2 years now, bought it with 62k on it an dI just hit 100k on Saturday of this past weekend. It still feels great. The only work done had been replacing my shocks, brake pads, an ABS sensor, and modifying it to my liking, as you can see in my signature. I would definately recommend a 5.0, the engine and tranny seem bullet-proof. You can take that from me, since I tend to have a lead foot and have ventured off the paved road now and again.

 

[dirtalliance]

yes this will be a "prerunner"

Im going to be selling my truck to build this as my company vehicle haha

I'll shoot jerry a call for sure....def. DONT want 4wd & you guys are saying that this has the same front end as the 98 & up 4wd rangers....

thanks for the help...good to know the tranny/engine are good

im coming from a 4.0 v6 with the 5 speed & love it except thew tranny haha

 

[410Fortune]

2wd front end will be the same as the rangers

 

[dirtalliance]

perfect 410...you help me on here & DR haha gotta love it!

now i need to et my loan today and its on haha

 

[dirtalliance]

so the 5.0 explorers come with a "4R70W" auto tranny?

& 410 the 2wd front end will be the same as a ranger 2wd correct? not the 4wd...?

sorry im just making 100% sure this will work as I dont want to have a "custom kit" build for this jumping up the costs

any idea hp & torque specs on the 5.0?

 

[410Fortune]

yes the 4r70W, also known as the AOD-E with a wide ratio gear set and computer controlled. It is an excellent transmission.

I assume that Ford used the same 2wd front end on the Gen II explorer as the Gen II ranger (after 97) , but I have not seen it with my own eyes so I would confirm with a good dealer parts dept, the guys at the parts dept in Dana Point Ford (Whatever that dealers name is) always seemed to know their stuff when I was living there.
Of course in CA they look at you klike your nuts when you order stuff for a 4x4 front end, out here they stock all the parts hahaha

 

[96limitedX]

yeah sorry about that..4x4 EXs have the same front end as 98-up ranger 4x4s

2wd EXs have the same as 2wd rangers just without the front diff,cvjoints..ect the 2wds still use the t-bar set-up.

 

[MONMIX]

I am just a street shmuck.
What is a pre-runner ?

 

[Doug]

Prerunning = high speed desert racing.

Any thing for the edge should work. Make sure whatever kit you get is designed for a SLA torsion bar type front suspension. Most 2wd rangers are coil sprung but aparently for some reason Ford got crazy and decided to build the edge with torsion bars regardless of 2wd/4wd.

 

[Doug]

Monmix

Here's a prerunner..

 

[MONMIX]

oh what fun !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

too bad the nearest desert is well over 1,000 mles away

 

[prozachappy]

prerunner = air time Tons of work and money go into building the suspensions on these trucks. Here's a few shots...enjoy !

The last few pics are the inside of a fully caged prerunner explorer, this guy (Exploda on the DR site) has one bad a$$ explorer. if you wanna learn more check out www.dezertrangers.com or www.desertrides.com

 

[dirtalliance]

ok so now that i know the edge stuff will work on a a arm 2wd expo...what year did they expos have leaf spring rears & the same front end as the edge? arent the new ones all diffrent?

 

[dirtalliance]

I was thinking I shouldnt have to be worried cause i'd be ripping out the t bar & replacing with a coilover

 

[96limitedX]

95-01 is what you want..but v8s only came on 96-01s

 

[prozachappy]

Yes all the new X's have IRS. Stick with the 2nd gen's '95-01'...T-bars/a arms up front, and leafs in the rear. FYI: leafs on the X are SUA vs SOA on the rangers. You get a better rear axle with the X (31spline 8.8) vs the ranger, but the SUA will have to be converted to avoid hang ups.