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Ford Explorer Community - Maintenance - Modifications - Performance Upgrades - Problem Solving - Off-Road - Street
Explorer Forum Covers the Explorer ST, Explorer Sport, Explorer Sport Trac, Lincoln Aviator, Mercury Mountaineer, Mazda Navajo, Ford Ranger, Mazda Pickups, and the Ford Aerostar
Yes, Buckwheat95 it's not worth all the the trouble and the labor to swap the v6 for the v8 for only 10 more hp. The price of gas nowadays. Just keep the 6 banger. I have a 2000 with a 4.0 v6 and I git 20 mpg. Enough said.
Where are you getting that the V8 has only 10hp more than the V6? Maybe the SOHC V6? Some of us own the OHV V6 which is rated at 160hp at the crank, which is a lot less than a stock V8. I have also heard about the SOHC V6 engines giving trouble. Plus you need to factor in the aftermarket parts that are available for the V8. I have been pricing some of the bolt on parts for my V6 and cannot justify the price when the parts for the V8 are cheaper most of the time. For the money it would cost me to build my V6 to get the power I want, I can buy a wrecked Explorer with everything intact. Then when I am done taking what I want, I can part it out and make some of my money back. (which is my plan for my X when I save enough money up)
the V6 transmission is the weak part of the drivetrain, the v8 transmission is not so when your V6 tranny is history why not drop in a V8 drivetrain for about the same $$$ as a rebuild
99SportX...Please update us with your progress. My Sport still runs pretty well, however, I'm considering an engine swap also. I refuse to get rid of it, so I will just replace the engine...but with a v8. Do you have an automatic or stick?
I have an automatic in my sport now, and I will be replacing that with the V8 automatic transmission. The V6 auto transmission wouldn't be able to handle the power of the V8. It can barely handle the V6. I am not sure about the manual transmission on the V6 though. I doubt it would bolt up the the V8, so it may take some serious work unless they sell an adapter.
If you did the swap a V8 in your 95, it may take a lot of work if you want to use the factory wiring and diagnostics setup. The 95 explorers still used OBDI, while the 96+ used OBDII. Because of this difference, I am unaware if the engine bay wiring from a 96 would be compatible with the dash wiring of your 95. Worst case would be that you need to swap out your dash wiring I would think. Best thing to do would be to find a wrecked 96-97 V8 (2wd or AWD depending on what you have now) explorer and start swapping everything over. I used a 2000 mountaineer for my donor vehicle. You will have every part you need to make it run this way.
I will surely update on my progress. Once I actually start swapping, there will be a thread with many details on this site.
I'm so glad there are other people out there like me.
if you're interested in a manual, it will depend on how you plan on getting your goods; donor explorer vs. crate engine. A T5 5-speed transmission (even T56 6-speed) will obviously bolt onto a 5.0 or 5.8, but if you're using a donor explorer's 5.0L engine, then you're going to have to deal with your problem of having an engine computer designed for the automatic. You could consider using a 5.0/5.8 mustang with a manual for a donor instead, so you will have the computer, however, the fuel injected mustangs are going to be tuned for higher HP and lower torque, than a V8 designed more for a truck.
Now I swapped in the Mazda M5ODR1-HD manual transmission into my 4.0L SOHC V6, but I'm forever plagued with the stock computer that is designed for the automatic I had in there. I was able to do crude wiring jumping in the harnesses, basically instructing the computer that the automatic trans is still there but always in neutral. the truck runs smooth like a charm, but I'm guessing it could be even better if it was tuned for the manual, plus I have to live with the fact that my "check engine" bulb is sitting in my garage so I don't have to look at it all the time.
I insist on having a manual trans. I'm planning a 351W/5.8L crate engine swap. Ford Racing makes 2 nice turnkey 351W's for $3,000. the great thing about them is that they are tuned for a truck (lower HP, tuned in the torque area). They are also carb'ed, so I can rip out all that mysterious ford factory computer b.s. and not have to worry about computer issues. from there the 5-speed world-class T5 will be bolted up. I'll worry about fuel-injecting the engine later on in the future with a stand-alone system, this way I'm in control of the computerization.
there isn't a 5-speed PCM for the 5.0 Explorer. that's why I mentioned using a 5.0 mustang as a donor, since Stangs were manufactured with a manual trans. however, you will be getting a sport-car tuned 5.0 rather than the torquier- tuned Explorer 5.0.
if you are refering to my 4.0 SOHC swap, New York Ford dealerships are too stupid to find me the PCM's for the rare new SOHC manual Explorers. They also would charge me an inane amount and warned me that it is extremely risky swapping non-identical computers because I could fry other expensive components.
My Ex drives fine enough now, and instead of going crazy with this rare PCM, I got plans of dropping in a carb'ed crate engine instead. I'm looking forward to ripping out all this wiring b.s. and stop playing this game that all car manufacturers play with their computers that they refuse to share their programming secrets with the public. You'd figure if you paid for a car, then they should provide you with the programming code ... but then how are their dealerships going to rip you off when your check engine light comes on?
BonesDT...I have thought about some of the issues that you outlines. I am still weighing my options about getting a doaner truck and simply swapping everything out. But I was talking to a guy who used to own his own shop and wiring is his specialty. He told me that he would love to help me with this project(I think curiosity is killing him). Anyway, I was considering going the mustand route because of the fact that I do have the 5 speed. Plus, based on the firing sequences, I'm thinking that as long as I don't get too crazy, it should get as good or better gas mileage than I get now...since it will no long look to "act" like a truck. Because of the weight of our trucks, do you see any draw backs from going the sports car tune route.
I'll want to check out those online junk yards. Got any good links? I'd be suprised if they would have one for me anyway though. Don't forget this is the SOHC engine not the OHV, so Ford didn't start mating manual trans' to the SOHC engine in the Ex/Ranger til about 2002, and even those are few and far between. Especially someone junking one.
It depends what you're looking for. Do you have a street Ex or do you have an offroad Ex and/or tow? If you're a street Ex guy, then a Mustang engine is your dream. If you hit the trails or tow, then you might want to exchange your horsepower boasting power for some low-end torque.
I haven't done the research on the differences between a Mustang 5.0 and an Explorer 5.0, but I'm sure they are tuned accordingly to some degree. How different they are, I have no idea. Try looking up some power curves and share them. My crude definition of a "truck"-tuned engine would be when the torque number is greater than the hp number. My friend asked why I would undertake a huge 351W/5.8L engine swap when I would only be benefiting by 50 more hp. I pointed out that although it was only 50 hp more, it's going to be over 100 more ft-lbs of torque, which is what really makes a difference in my off-road modded Ex.
The problem isn't so much a "wiring" issue. Basically, I see that the problem lies in the fact that Ford secretly programs that computer and we have no idea what's going on in there. That starts becoming an issue when you start mix-and-matching.
I had some serious engine problems when I first did my trans swap. The engine ran very rough to the point that it was almost impossible to drive. The engine would also die everytime I started it, and I had to get in the habit of giving it a good rev right after startup. I tore out all the solenoids from the old auto trans and left them connected to the wiring harness and then jumped all the appropriate wires instructing the computer that I constantly have the auto trans shifted in Neutral (also allows me to start the Ex in the first place). Point is, I dove into the project not having a plan for when I had computer issues. After lots of tinkering and simple wiring mods, the engine runs smooth as ever, but I wouldn't of been suprised if I had worst-case-scenario, which would have been the Ex would have never been driveable.
Don't forget, Explorers and Mustangs weren't the only vehicles Ford put a 5.0 in. Check out all the other Fords/Mercurys/Lincolns, etc. I don't know anything about it, but maybe Ford made a Ranger, F-150, or some other truck with a 5.0 manual.
I'm doing the same thing right now. I'm trying to find if Ford ever made a truck with a fuel-injected 5.8L available with a manual trans. Not very common, but it looks like there was a Lightning F-150 in the '80s.
I can get you a 2004 Ranger SOHC 5 speed computer right now, my buddy Brett has one. Of course you will have to deal with the PATS issue on any computer after 98
Advance Auto parts is an excellent place to buy used PCM's, they test them before they will sell them
Auto zone may even list your computer
Other yards will require me to know your calibration code
it may not be a big deal if you have the truck running properly now, but I prefer to make conversions 100% factory like if possible
the SOHC and 5 speed is a pretty popular truck around here in CO, there are lots of Rangers with this setup in Denver and they are starting to hit the yards as they get wrecked, the low mileage ones get snached up real quick at auction however
Please excuse my ignorance. I am from New York City. Unless you want to talk DVD players in headrests or chrome rims, then you are on your own. Anything offroad or stick shift is strictly unheard of around here. I try to explain this site to my friends to prove to them that there are people out there like me that realize there is more to automobiles than the rims.
With that said, I have labored over dealing with this computer problem for a few years. You'd be suprised how many times I'd have to answer the question "manual or automatic transmission?" when ordering CLUTCH components from a Ford dealership. If it were 2 years ago, I'd be spitting out my credit card info at you right now. However, I finally have the truck running smooth, and I'm not really exactly sure why, but I'm going to stick with the maxim, "if its not broke, dont fix it".
I'm still fed-up with the whole situation, but I've decided to come up with a better idea, and that's to scrap the entire drivetrain for a crate version. Even if I had the proper computer, I'd still be pissed that I don't know what's going on in it.
How much is this computer, and what's the PATS issue? I wish I knew about Advance Auto Parts a lot sooner!
pATS is the security feature that works with the key FOB, the computer must work with the PATS in the truck or it wont run, Ford can likely program the new PCM to work with you current PATS system, but honestly I just dont know I have never dealt with it personally.
All 98+ Ford Ranger based vehicles will have PATS as far as I know.
I asked my friend if he wants to sell his PCM, I am sure he will respond shortly
If you get a OHC Man. trans PCM and don't want to get it reprogrammed at a dealer, then you are going to need a PATS module and RAP module to go along with it. All from the same truck. Also the key and lock cylinder, and possibly the sensor that reads the key on the column. I will know exactly all that you need once I finish my V8 swap. I have all the parts I need sitting right here, so I will use whatever I need to get the engine to start.
I loved the V8 Ex's as well but I want the option of selectable 4WD, I hate that AWD crap and no 4Lo turns me away. Thats why I bought the SOHC, but damn that thing is a slouch! I'm used to that torquey 5.0 (had tons of stangs)
I want my selectable 4WD with the V8.... can that be done?!?
I loved the V8 Ex's as well but I want the option of selectable 4WD, I hate that AWD crap and no 4Lo turns me away. Thats why I bought the SOHC, but damn that thing is a slouch! I'm used to that torquey 5.0 (had tons of stangs)
I want my selectable 4WD with the V8.... can that be done?!?
Yes it can be done. I may do this eventually. A few members on this site have swapped in a 4x4 transfer case from a F-150. I am not sure if anyone here has done an electric shift one, but from what I hear, it can be done. I plan for an electric shift one, as I don't want to cut a hole in my floor. It has 2wd, 4wd, and 4 low capability.
both e shift and manual shift full size t cases have been installed in place of the AWD t case.
I recently swapped my 96 5.0L ex from AWD to a 4406 manual t case from a 01 F-150, I am in love! It makes the AWD look stupid, here in CO I use 4x4 ALOT (lately) and reching down to shift from 2wd to 4x4 hi is effortless, its hard to even tell its in 4x4 unless you see the light on the dash or floor it on the ice and see snow flying off the front tires.
I was not impressed with the AWD in my explorer, after driving the BII for years and years and then wrecking my old 96 truck on the ice after the AWD let the rear end break loose too easy, the 4x4 is a HUGE improvement.
A link to the conversion is in my signature, I believe I was the 5th member of this forum to perform the conversion
