Running a 5.0/4R70W from a 98 Explorer in another vehicle?

[Nick_R_23]

Hey guys, I just picked up a 1998 Ford Explorer yesterday. Its a 2wd, 4 door, 5.0L, Eddie Bauer edition. The trans is out so I got it for only 600$. My plan is to remove the body, lengthen the frame a few inches, and use the chassis under my 1950 Chevy truck project.

Please forgive me if I have some really stupid questions here, I work mostly with Chevys, so some of this Ford stuff is new to me.

Originally, I was going to use a SBC/T5 on the Explorer frame, but the 5.0 still runs great, so I figured why not rebuild the 4R70W and use the engine and trans I already have, and save a few bucks over building another SBC?

I have done some research on what I have, and it seems the PATS system is hard to get around. I would have loved to find a base model 95-97 without the PATS or all the extra electronics, but 2wd Explorers are really rare up here. In fact, this one is the first one Ive ever actually seen, so I didnt really have much choice. Since this is going to be a fairly bare bones hotrod, I would like to get rid of all the electronics that arent necessary. Mostly the PATS, electric windows, ABS, A/C, console, etc. I have done projects like this before, so this is nothing new, I just havent dealt with Ford's computer setups much.

So what would it take to delete all the extra electronic junk and just have a stand alone running engine and working trans? I read that the PATS can be disabled in the PCM, but it seems like it would need to retain all the wiring still. It also appears that I would need to use the Explorer column and cluster, neither of which I plan to do. I also dont want to get into expensive stand alone/aftermarket wiring or EEC programming kits, as this is a budget project. Id like to make this work with what I have and what I can find in a junkyard.

From what Ive gathered, my options are:

Use what I have (98, PATS wiring), disable PATS from the EEC, and may or may not be able to eliminate the wiring. Seems like I still need the cluster and column to make this work.

Find a 95-97 (base model, pre-PATS) Explorer and rob the harness/computer from it. The problem seem to be that some stuff still runs through the cluster and column, and Im not sure how Id get around this.

Possibly convert to EEC-IV? Ive heard talk of this, but cant find much info. Seems like the major thing is lack of support for coil packs, so I would need to use a distributor. It also doesnt sound like the 4R70W is compatible here. Upside would be that its a more well understood platform, with much more aftermarket support than EEC-V.

Ditch the 5.0/4R70W idea altogether and just drop a SBC/T5 like originally planned. I tried to find someone that had swapped a SBC into an Explorer but didnt come up with anything. I figure it would be a pretty similar fit to the 5.0, so I dont think there would be any clearance or fitment issues here.

So what do you guys think would be the best way to go with this? I know there will be more bias to use the 5.0 as this is an explorer forum, but I dont want to get into something that will be more headache then its worth. Id rather just slap a carb on a SBC and call it a day, then try and figure out tons of workarounds on an EFI system that still might not work right in the end. Looking forward to your ideas!

 

[TestPoint]

I am putting the same drive train in an old Volvo. My research on PATS is that the '96-'97 PCM will swap and work without modification. It may not be optimized for your set up but should work. There were over 20 revisions to the PCM in the '96-'01 series. I have had two 'tuners' tell me that they can disable the PATS without any problem. See the 'All you ever wanted to know about PATS' sticky above. Without the PATS there is nothing really associated with the specific Explorer steering column that affects the PCM. If I can make a six wire connector to the Volvo work surly you can on your car.

I have identified all the circuits needed and not needed at the C115 wiring harness connector for my swap. From the 42 pin connector I am only using 18 pins, 2 power, 2 ground, 3 for OBDII data port, alternator, oil, water, tach, starter out, ignition run, ignition start and a few more that I can't remember off-hand. I also have the Ford Electrical Schematic book for the specific pages you may need.

Give me your off-forum email in a PM and I will send what I have.

 

[Nick_R_23]

What did you do with the extra wires, just cut them off?

Also, another concern was the speed sensor. I read that it runs through the ABS module and then the cluster, and must be in place for the transmission to work properly?

 

[pickupman6]

i think the speed sensor on a 98 is in the trans and is separate from the abs. i could be wrong. also ive seen hei distributors for fords and then u can swap out intakkes throw a holley on there and now u have a simple sbf. but then u still have the problem with the electric trans. u could get a c6 or aod for around 400.

 

[Nick_R_23]

i think the speed sensor on a 98 is in the trans and is separate from the abs. i could be wrong. also ive seen hei distributors for fords and then u can swap out intakkes throw a holley on there and now u have a simple sbf. but then u still have the problem with the electric trans. u could get a c6 or aod for around 400.

If I had to do all that, Id just sell the 5.0 and stick with a SBC. I'd like to stick with fuel injection since this will be a daily driver will go on long trips once in a while, so I need reliability (And diagnostic ability, hence why Id like to keep the OBDII setup). I can wire in a TBI or Vortec system easily, I just figured Ford's setup would be not so in depth as its turning out to be.

 

[Nick_R_23]

I have a few more questions about running a carb and distributor on the 5.0. With a carb intake, will any older 289 or 302 intake bolt right up?

What distributor should I use? I know there are different kinds with the inline 6, but I don't know much about the V8's. There are plenty of FS Broncos, F150s, 83+ Mustang I can grab one from.

 

[Fairlane Guy]

Hi Nick. I am sure others on here as well as myself would love to know how the project turned out. Thanks, FairlaneGuy

 

[Nick_R_23]

Wow, this was from a while back! I ended up putting the 5.0 engine into a '66 Mustang and sold it, and sold the '50 Chevy as well since I ended up moving around that time. I picked up another '51 that likely won't see the frame swap, but I've held onto the frame just in case!

 

[Skid Roe R&R]

I'm on a similar path putting a 53' F150 on a 5.0 explorer frame. I have not yet purchased the explorer but am hearing that the 96/97 is the way to go because of the security issues in the electronics but unlike your build I plan to use the explorer dash,A/C, and steering column as well as the ABS. Any input would B helpful.