PowerStroked 98' Explorer 2wd

[gto78]

Ok guys, this is a rough idea of what I'd like to do to my explorer. Remove the SOHC engine and tranny, and 4:10 gears. Install a powerstroke 6.0 and tranny, and 3:23 gears. Sound impossible? I know the guys were mostly getting about 18-20 mpg stock out of the powerstrokes when they first came out with the 6.0 liter version- until ford screwed with the software and removed the pilot injection system along with messing up the fuel curve. Those same exact guys went from 20 mpg to 12 mpg and if you don't believe me then do some reading on ford truck enthusiast.com. My point though is that it's possible to reprogram that engine to it's peak fuel efficiency, install it on the much lighter explorer, match it up with some nice low rpm gearing, and still have gobs of torque left over to tow with. I'd estimate roughly 25 mpg and easily be able to tow 9,000 to 11,000 lbs provided you have the right tires and brakes. The best part is the ability to swap software and add 300 or more pounds of torque. The stock torque on those engines is 560 lbs and 370 hp.

My main concern is the added weight, and how to stiffen the front suspension to bring the height back to normal. If I remember correctly, the powerstroke drivetrain weighs around 1300 pounds!

Has this been done before? If so I'd like to get some info from whoever did it.

 

[IAmTodd]

Your main concern is where are you going to put it? That is a massive engine and even the 302 is a tight fit. A 3" body lift will be the least that is going to need to be done. I just can't see it being feasible.

 

[Willard]

yea space is going to be tight....you may be looking at an extended engine bay. but if you could make it work, that would be AWESOME!

 

[gsx220]

i would love a deisel explorer i guess ford didnt learn from aussie toyota's and mitsu's even jeep liberty you can get with a deisel

 

[aeaglenfitch]

lol a torsion twist will tighten up the front end, you can get extended bolts to lift it even more then just get new shocks and realign it. i'd like to see that done on a 4x4 though

 

[aeaglenfitch]

BTW i'd love to have that axle + gears haha

 

[JTX]

Honestly man, theres no way the explorer frame or engine bay can handle a powerstroke. Look up the weight difference between the two. Dont get me wrong that would be bad ass! But it would be a........

 

[justin146]

There is absolutely no way you'll fit a PSD in an Explorer ( unless it is the 4.0 version). Heck, they have to pull the cab on the Super Duty to pull the engine.

 

[cgriffin_5139]

No way no how this could be done, you would have to run the exhaust out the sides because the manifolds would sit on the frame rails. The Trans hump would have to be replaced for it to fit. You will also need to fit a bigger rad and need room for an inner cooler. Oh yeah are you want to run A/C your going to have to move the evaporator and condenser.

Oh and i have a powerstroke in my 07 F550 trust me it wont eave come close to fitting.

There was a BII somewhere that had a diesel in it.

 

[justin146]

If you want a diesel, I'd look into a 4bt Cummins swap.

 

[briwayjones]

Even if you could make it fit in there it is way to heavy for an explorer front end.

 

[Hokie]

A couple of days ago it was people wanting to invest in making their truck a full gas/electric hybrid.... now stuffing a 6.0L I-6 engine from a 3/4-2 ton truck into a 1/4 ton 2 door Explorer?

If you want a diesel, I'd look into a 4bt Cummins swap.

Stuffing a Cummins 4BT (3.9L I-4) into an Explorer would be one hell of a tight fit! People have put them into a Jeep (which originaly housed a 4.0L inline six) and it was still one heck of a squeeze.

A 4BT is still a big, heavy engine.

Keep in mind that with industrial diesels, there's ALOT more to their size than just internal displaced volume or number cylinders. By the time you package the block, turbo, intercooler, air handling... you don't have much room left.

 

[EMG7895]

I have seen a 4bt in a ranger, but then again I have also seen a 460 in a ranger. Anything is possible with enough money.

 

[IZwack]

Try looking at other diesel engines beside the powerStroke.

There's a rare breed of Rangers out there that come with a 4-cyl diesel. There was one for sale on here maybe half a year ago.

More info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Ranger

 

[Turdle]

I thought a powerstroke diesel engine weighs about 1150 lbs--
5.0 v-8 weighs about 450--.

You will need some real wacked torsion bars for sure--

 

[justin146]

Stuffing a Cummins 4BT (3.9L I-4) into an Explorer would be one hell of a tight fit! People have put them into a Jeep (which originaly housed a 4.0L inline six) and it was still one heck of a squeeze.

A 4BT is still a big, heavy engine.

Keep in mind that with industrial diesels, there's ALOT more to their size than just internal displaced volume or number cylinders. By the time you package the block, turbo, intercooler, air handling... you don't have much room left.

 

[gijoecam]

Indeed, the PSD would be a squeeze in and of itself. Then add to that the ZF6 trans that would go behind it, and the shifter would be somewhere around the back of the center console under your elbow. Even with an automatic, the t-case would be mounted somewhere around the front edge of the back seat, and the rear driveshaft would be stunningly short.

Then there's the issue of the chassis, brakes, and suspension. The additional weight of the engine and trans combo alone would put the Explorer right near its GVWR. You'd be chewing up front wheel bearings faster than you can imagine, not to mention the torsion bars would be loaded WAAAY beyond thair designed capacity. The rear 8.8 would never in a million years hold up to the monster torque that engine puts out, and cramming a sterling under there would be a challenge at best...

As for towing capacity, there's a snowball's chance in hell that the combination would be able to comfortably pull 8-9k. No way, Jose!! That would requore at least another 1000 lbs of tongue weight, and there's no way the Ex's suspension could handle it.

Now, there's another way to skin the cat: Find an SD wreck, chop the frame, yank the body, and wrap the Explorer body around it. It'll require extensive modification of the firewall and engine bay to get it to fit, and making the Explorer electronics and GEM play nice with the SD's engine management system would be a challenge, but I think it's WAY more practical than trying to shoe-horn the engine into the Ex's chassis.

Just my .02...

 

[IZwack]

As for towing capacity, there's a snowball's chance in hell...

Now, there's another way to skin the cat...

..but I think it's WAY more practical than trying to shoe-horn the engine into the Ex's chassis.

hehe .. I nice metaphors

 

[chingadera]

If you want a diesel, I'd look into a 4bt Cummins swap.

+1 much easyer swap.....not to mention its a straight 6 so it will actually fit with some fab work. Any ford diesel will weigh more you really want and make for a terrible handling vehicle. I wont knock the ford though my 7.3 has over 400,000 miles on it. Also the dodge trannys on the cummins have proven to be kinda shadey.

 

[UKExploder]

power-stroked Ex 2wd

Hi mates,

Here in the UK they{FordUK} make a 'semi-twin' to the Ex Sport they call a Maverick, it's 4wd & has a 2.7L diesel engine & manual shift tranny. Maybe u Yanks just need to source one of these from the UK, a diesel in a Ford SUV has already been done here.................: The UK Ford Maverick is just so near to the Ex Sport in size it's incredible.............I haven't driven 1 of these but the diesel technology has been 'ironed out'...........nowhere near the engine size you are talking but 30-40 mpg+ it's the same as the Mitsubishi Pajero diesel in size..........but made by Ford
You would have to find some more info somewhere on towing capacity as I haven't researched that ...