been a while since I've updated this
nothing has changed really since my last update as I've been busy working on my Mustang. As soon as its in daily driver mode I can start tearing into my sploder. I've been daydreaming what I want to do with it and I have a loose outline of my desires:
1) paint fender flares and bumpers black
2) Fog lights, which may include a brush guard
3) Replace crappy glasspack with a better muffler (if I stick with the same engine)
4) 31" BFG ATs (or the equivalent Treadwrite re-tread)
5) 4WD conversion. I'm sick of getting stuck in snow!!!
6) possibly a V8 conversion as well, assuming I can find the right donor and have the space to do it in.
and yes I understand that it would be simpler to sell my rig and get one that already has 4WD, but theres no fun in that! plus I've gotten very attached to my truck and I don't want to re-learn a new one. this way its more of a project and I learn more about the truck
so far in my studies, I've learned that a donor rig will be necessary for the swap. if I can find a rolled V8 explorer with AWD that would be my best bet. Now heres the tricky part, I REFUSE to put an automatic in my truck. I want to keep a manual tranny. I've been following Nick26s thread on his M5R2 swap, and that seems doable. I just have to be very careful and methodical as I plan it since theres a LOT of changes happening to the truck at one time. On top of that I need to get new brake components up front, balljoints, CV joints, tierod ends, bearings, and manual hubs. and I'm sure I am missing stuff. I still haven't looked into ALL of the details, but this'll be the place to store the information gathered.
I'm open for advice or things to do or not do. I know the tranny crossmember will need to be cut down or re-fabbed. I'll need to figure out which harnesses I'm keeping, which i'm splicing into, and which I'm replacing with the V8 ones. I'm pretty sure the 4x4 engine crossmember will need to replace my 2WD one. I also need to figure out what I'm doing with driveshafts. and If I used the M5R2 tranny, can I use the AWD transfer case out of the donor ex? cuz then I have the wires and buttons from the donor as well. oh! and is there 4WD V8 explorers with 3:73 gears? that'll be crucial