New B here stuff'n an X into an original pony car

[Ponycar]

Hey guys, just like the title says, I'm new here and putting my 96X into my 68 stang.
The stang is the first car I ever took the wheel of when I was 9 or 10, it belonged to my mom. I'm not a stang fan, but my wife is and I couldn't see it go. I just got the car and after trying to maintain the ld drive-train and having it not stay together, I'm upgrading. A friend of mine runs a wrecking yard and just sold me a 150K and wrecked but running strong 96 X. I plan to strip it out and put as much as I can into the ol' stang, well the sunroof is going in my buddies S-10. If all goes well engine and trans will get rebuilt, rear end will be transplanted as well as the brakes. I plan on building some custom A arms and front end parts to swap the steering too. I want this to be reliable for my wife to drive. I guess that's about it. It's a great forum, Im learning lots reading it. Thanks to all those who contribute their knowledge!

 

[j602]

Why the fawk would you do that????

 

[Ponycar]

Why the fawk not????

 

[j602]

Because a 68 Mustang is a classic American muscle car. Putting a weak Explorer V6 drivetrain would defile the very purpose of owning that car.

 

[FireZapper]

I agree, part out the junk exploder and use the money to rebuild that car the right way!

 

[Ponycar]

Are you guys kidding??? The explorer has a better 302, actually pretty much the best one Ford made. It has a modern auto trans, the same one the new stangs have, it's stronger and far more efficient than the original one. The 8.8 trac loc with 31 spline axles and disc brakes is far better any rear from 68 and one of the best ever made. I never said V6, and even if I did a v6 from a 96 explorer is a hell of a lot better engine than the I6 that came in this car from the factory. Just to bring you guys up to speed, the 5.0 in the explorers are pretty sought after due to them being pretty close to the 5.0 cobra engines, just need a cam to wake it up.

 

[Turdle]

I want to see this when it is done. It sounds like a good plan to me!!

Be sure to save everything electronic--and the harness--good luck!!

 

[1996xlt]

The engine, rear differential and trans I could see using, but the steering? There is plenty of aftermarket stuff out there for mustangs that won't break the bank, unless you like engineering stuff.

 

[IZwack]

Why the fawk would you do that????

Cauz he can

I want to see this when it is done. It sounds like a good plan to me!!

x2 -- Sounds like an interesting unique project Good luck!

 

[FROADER]

A little like my plan for my 63 Galaxie had I kept it. I was planning to use a Crown Vic drivetrain for it.

Good luck.

 

[Dan Whitaker]

The 1988-1993 T-Bird/Cougar owners use love the Explorer/Mountaneer 5.0 for dropping into their 3.8 V6 cars.

I have a '92 Cougar & would like to find a 98-2001 P head for mine as well

 

[j602]

An 88-93 T-Bird/Cougar is not a 68 stang.

 

[little x]

I think it will turn out sweet. I would one day love to rip appart a beat up classic and replace the insides with some newer stuff. You are guarenteed to end up with a very sweet looking unique car, that is much more reliable, comfortable, safe, and performs much better then stock.

Post some pics of progress now and again.

 

[410Fortune]

the 5.0L explorer drivetrain will be right at home under the hood of your 68, we have done a couple of these already (Ranchero and Mustang)

In order for the 5.0L brackets to clear the shock towers you may have to move the engine forward a bit, which is a great idea anyways because the short front dress on the explorer 5.0L will leave a ton of room between the radiator support and the engine, it looks silly.

These make GREAT daily drivers. If you are really crafty you can keep the AC and cruise control

 

[95offroadx]

An 88-93 T-Bird/Cougar is not a 68 stang.

really? i thought they where the same

thanks for pointin that out

 

[Dan Whitaker]

An 88-93 T-Bird/Cougar is not a 68 stang.

Yes I know. I was just pointing out the Explorer/Mountaineer 5.0 are very popular for swaping into other cars.

 

[axiom]

Sounds like an interesting project. Would like to see some photos of the end result and everything

 

[1996xlt]

The 8.8s in classic Mustangs is becoming a more popular mod in the recent years due to 9 inch rears getting expensive/hard to come by. I'm thinking of doing it to my 67, but remember you will have to narrow the long side of the axle by a inch or two for it to fit.

 

[j602]

Yes, I know Explorer 302's are good, strong, and sought after. My point was that I think classic Mustangs should be rebuilt/built in an original manner.

 

[MustangP51]

Putting in a 302 in that mustang is a great idea. It is not only the most cost friendly rebuild but it is one of the easiest. I did the same thing to my 1965 Mustang. It originally had the sprint 200 inline six. I rebuilt a 71 302 and mated it to a Tremec T-5. The rear is the original 8 inch. The best thing about the swap is the amount of after market parts for 302s, you can find anything you want. The one thing that a lot of people overlook when going from a I6 to a V8 is the front suspension. It is different for an I6 (4 lugs) and V8 (5 lug). I used the front end from a 68 Cougar. The only thing that that may give you a problem is getting all of the components for the EFI under the hood. You may want to just put a Carburetor on it. I don't think that you will be able to use any other components out of the Explorer other then the drive line.

Ryan