Jefe's 700R4 swap | Page 11 | Ford Explorer Forums - Serious Explorations

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Jefe's 700R4 swap

I got tired of the computer deciding when my 5R55E transmission should shift, since it hadn't a clue with all the mods I've done so I decided It was time for a change. The two choices were a manual, or a 700R4 for a lower crawl ratio. I love having an auto in LA traffic (and Its grown on me wheeling) so I figured I'd be the first to put a 700R4 in a 2nd gen. :)

All my pics are here, and I'll link the important ones to the thread.

I grabbed the two Advance Adapters parts (4.0 to 700R4, 700R4 to t-case) back in Feb for a great deal, and waited for some more cash to come around to buy the 700R4. I got the 700R4 (Level II) from Bowtie Overdrives, along with their TV system, 1800 rpm stall torque converter, dip stick, and install kit.

The trans arrives:
DCP_4478.jpg


A few weeks before I put the trans in i decided to install the TV linkage. Somewhere between '91-'94 and 2000 the throttle body linkage changed size, so I got to modify it to fit Bowtie's TV setup. I figured since was modifying anyway I mine as well upgrade and so I threw in a BBK TB.

You can see where i ground the linkage down:
DSC00115.jpg


On another weekend I hacked up my center console and installed the B&M Hammer shifter. It sat a little low sitting on the floor, so I welded up a sub-frame for it out of 1" sq. tube. I plan to glass the cover in with the center console so it looks factory. (anyone want to show me how to glass?)

Part way installed:
SANY0017.jpg


The next step was to throw in the transmission in a weekend and hope everything else went smoothly since this is still my daily driver.

Friday night (5 hrs):
The first job was to get the control arms from the SFA out of the way, along with its bracketry:
SANY0001.jpg

SANY0004.jpg


Next, getting ready to take the t-case and transmission out:
SANY0005.jpg

SANY0006.jpg


Saturday (15 hrs):
With help, and a very tall floor jack (or a bunch of bricks :rolleyes: ) remove t-case and transmission. Compare transmisions (AA tailshaft housing was installed previously, and the 700R4 was built with the AA output shaft):
SANY0012.jpg


Bolt AA adapter to engine:
SANY0014.jpg


Bolt adapter to torque converter and install:
I had to grind down the three bolts in order to get them flush w/ the adapter. Not sure if AA dropped the ball or what.
SANY0013.jpg


Bolt up trans:
SANY0015.jpg


Bolt up t-case:
SANY0016.jpg


Connect TV linkage:
SANY0022.jpg


Reroute cooler lines. I used rubber for now. I plan to replace with either braided stainless or hard lines. I had ordered the Bowtie overdrives lines, but they aren't long enough to reach the drivers side tank of the stock radiator, nor are they the right fittings for the radiator.

Sunday (10 hrs):
Wire up shifter. I brought the wires that went to the shift position switch on the 5R through the same hole as the shift cable. By rewraping the wire harness correctly, i didn't have to extend any wires, which was nice.
Wire up torque converter harness. I got bowties harness w/ manual lockup switch, and replaced my shifter handle with one that has a switch. so now I can lock the converter up when i'm climbing in 3rd gear. It works great.

Connect shifter, fill trans and start engine w/o exhaust Y-pipe to get neighbors attention :D

Modify exhaust. I had to crush the pre-cat on the passenger side in order to get the Y-pipe to fit. The O2 sensor on that side is fine. The O2 sensor on the other side clears the adapter plate by a 1/32", so others may need to grind the adapter to get it to fit. I figured I'd then drive it to an exhaust shop and have them remake my Y-pipe to fit better. However I found out that for such a new vehicle the O2 sensors and pre-cats have to be exact stock distances down the pipe to follow guidlines so no one wanted to help me there. I even talked with the local guy for a good 30 mins coming up with crazy ideas to get it to work, like remoting the oil filter and taking the exhaust around the outside of the frame rail. I ended up just using the tube that AA suplies to extend the Y-pipe so that the cats would bolt up sqaure and clear the trans. I may get to have fun when I need to smog this thing :rolleyes:

exhaust pics:
SANY0024.jpg

SANY0033.jpg

SANY0025.jpg


I know I've left out many details, so if anyone has any questions, ask away.
 



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did you use a regular truck 700r4? I think i read some where that it has to be a the small 700r4 (behind GM’s 2.8L, 3.4L, and 3.8L) is that really the case? i have a full size regular 700r4 and need a tranny in my 4.0 explorer, just wondering if i would be able to use it or not. thanks

Go get a junkyard 5.3 GM motor ($400-500), the Advanced Adapters kit ($180) and put it in your Ex. 295 HP/330 TQ for under a grand.
 






Go get a junkyard 5.3 GM motor ($400-500), the Advanced Adapters kit ($180) and put it in your Ex. 295 HP/330 TQ for under a grand.

I'm assuming you mean 4.3 and what would you do about all the electronics. Most states say you need to keep what was on the motor to being with.. Soo, that means all sensors etc and you'll need to get the GM ecu to work on the ford.

I doubt very much that taking a GM motor (efi) and getting it into a Ford (efi) is going to be that easy.

~Mark
 






I mean a 90 degree 5.3 GM generation III/IV V8. Advance adapter kit will mount the newer V8's to the older 700R4/4L60 tranny's. Summit sells Carbed intake manifolds to mount to the newer GM engines that have controlers that are plug and play for Carbed applications. Other than buying it all, it should be an easy swap. Engine mounts should be the only guess work to be done.

There have been a few LS to Mustang swaps done...what would make an Explorer any different?
 






If I understood that correctly.. You are going to get an EFI engine, and put on a carb and install it into a vehicle that came with EFI originally?

For areas without emissions I could see that working, but even with Arizona's somewhat liberal conversion/emission rules that would never pass.

From what I've read though, in some areas (I'm "thinking" Kenutcky) there are no emission tests so you could get away with that conversion.

But it is possibly another option, I just doubt it was be as easy as the 700r4 swap on the 4.0 since with the 4.0 there is almost no wiring "changes".

~Mark
 






No emission here besides in one city, ;)
 






No emissions in Nebraska and Florida. In Alaska, when you change anything without a C.A.R.B. sticker it's illegal. My KKM intake on my Ex had to be removed every time I went to register it again. Obviously, I would do this conversion with no regard for emmissions. However, the 5.3 probably runs much better than the 4.0. You can get the EFI stuff to work but the cheap way is the carbed setup. (The only reason I'd do this is to get a better tranny and more HP for the dollar. Not to mention the after market suport for these GM engines.) They have controllers that will "plug-and-play" with the GM EFI and will net awesome fuel mileage and power. You just have to pay the extra. I was speaking of the most budget build possible for his 90 degree 700R4.
 






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