Spdrcer34 is going V8!....

[Spdrcer34]

CDW..your pics are PERFECT in here. It shows a blank 2nd Gen Firewall, and I posted pics of my 1st Gen...

I wonder how I am going to change the steering column mounts.....it's sandwiched steel, and not NEARLY as easy to duplicate like the HVAC holes..

Ryan

 

[CDW6212R]

I thought about that also. I think I would cut out the smallest section that will get the needed holes. Then I'd weld it in place after measuring carefully. The cutting/welding/bodywork operations are what take so much time. After that is done it's all a bolt in deal. That's why I cut my whole clip. The friend of friend retired pro convinced me that chopping up my old 93 front body to adapt to the 99 clip would be harder. Your project is slightly different though. I considered doing something like that, until I realized that the AC would not work with the SOHC. I wanted to keep the late radiator for sure, which requires the newer support etc. I pondered about it for a week, then started hunting the late model front end and paint products. I have about $2000 more in my truck than if I had made the 93 front end work.

 

[Spdrcer34]

For the steering column/firewall mount, I think I am going to remove the thicker steel on the motor side of the firewall from the `97, and bolt it up to the `92 using the brake booster for reference...drill, cut & weld from there....

Ryan

 

[CDW6212R]

You have it under control and will get it done in little time. I'm off next week so I have to get most of mine done. I'd like to get to a point where I'd be close to having some bodywork and paint work available for a friend. I've got the XP8 front bumper cover to do if I can find a steel 95-98 bumper for it.

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

What's the update Ryan? Done yet? lol.

Thing is going to be a beast!

You going to put a loud exhaust on? Or keep it flowing good while staying quiet? Keep it a sleeper?

 

[Spdrcer34]

Updates? You want updates?

I am working on the Firewall Mods to install the 2nd Gen HVAC box

I have been taking pics, but I won't post them until I know it will all work out.

Ryan

 

[CDW6212R]

Good to hear, keep at it.

BTW, for others who may follow this, and want 4WD. The BW4406 likely will fit in the truck like the later Explorers. For the electric shift version of the 4406 the 4dr. gas tank is in the way. A sport tank is what others have done.

I noticed today that my old 93 4dr. tank is the same length as a 99 Sport tank. I may be able to install my 22 gallon 93 tank in my 98 truck to gain space. For 1st gen. Explorers the OEM tank may be fine to leave in place with the BW4406(TOD). Regards,

 

[boggs1227]

the 93's had 22 gal tanks !? i thought that they all were 19.3 gal for all first gen explorers

 

[CDW6212R]

Don't go by any book rating of a Ford gas tank. You can find two or three books that show different numbers. I have had a bunch of Fords, all big with V8's, they all can take at or close to 22 gallons. That has been a standard large tank size for decades. The Sport tanks are several gallons smaller.

 

[boggs1227]

wow did not relise that ! i guess the guage can be in question too...like when you fill completly up and watch your guage take a while to start to drop but when it does it drops trau quicker than brittney spears can lol. the 22 gal mark .... iguess ford said it has a smaller tank but like you said they are bigger ...guess thats the reserve rate of around 2.? odd gallons .

 

[Spdrcer34]

I can GUARANTEE you that the tank in the 1st gen is NOT 22 gallons.

It is more like 18 gallons. I have run out of gas and had to coast 1/4 mile into a gas station. I filed it up, and was only able to put 18.6 gallons in there, but it started 'clicking' @ 17.89

Ryan

 

[boggs1227]

 

[CDW6212R]

I'll go dig out my mileage book from my 99 truck, it has the records from my 93 Limited. I know that I pumped over 20 and 21 gallons many times in the 35k miles that I drove it. Those plastic tanks are shorter, but much wider. I'll check the 99 Sport tank to my 93 4dr. tank well, before using the 93 tank.

 

[Spdrcer34]

I installed a 98 Sport Tank into my `92. The Sport Tank is something like 16 gallons vs. 18 on the 4 dr.

Ryan

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

My 93 won't take more then 18-19. My Dad said he's put 20-21 in it, but that he's also filled it up right to the cap...

 

[ghosttrain2]

Subscribed!

Ryan, I welded in the firewall and both kick panels from a '97 into my '94. The heater box and dash will bolt right in. The '97 steering column mounts to the dash and brake pedal brace. To link the '97 column to the '94 steering gear,
I had to build an extension to join them ( I also installed a 3" body lift ) .The link that came with the body lift kit was still too short.

 

[boggs1227]

i had this data from a web site i was directed to a while back when i joined ... maybe this will help

 

[CDW6212R]

I installed a 98 Sport Tank into my `92. The Sport Tank is something like 16 gallons vs. 18 on the 4 dr.

Ryan

Ah, so did you use the 92 skid plate and existing riveted frame bracket? I found yesterday that my old 93 skid plate etc. got scrapped.

I am thinking that since the tanks are the same length, I should be able to use a 95-01 Sport skid plate and my 98 bolt on frame bracket. Did the tank strap etc. line up normally?

FYI, I went through my service book for my old 93 truck. I filled that 4dr. tank with at the most 20.5 gallons, and 19.5-19.7 several times. That will be plenty for my 98 truck. I just have to see what I can do to get the 98 pump sender etc. into the 93 tank. The old 93 sender etc. is rusted up a lot, I'll buy a new one if I have to use that style of pump mount.

 

[Spdrcer34]

CDW, The 2nd Gen Sport Tank bolts up slightly different than the 1st Gen, Straps are still used (I used the 1st Gen Straps, it holds it nice and tight), But if I remember correctly, the First Gen's front plate was mostly flat, where as the 2nd Gen has 2 bolt holes to bolt up the tank.

I looked for 2nd Gen Sport Tank Straps, but I couldn't find any...but when I complete my V8 Swap, I am using the 2nd Gen 4Dr Tank too.

Ryan

 

[CDW6212R]

You can do that easily, the front bracket bolts to the frame. You can locate either tank by drilling holes for the bracket to match. I noticed that my 91 has another strap holding the tank down to the skid plate. I think that the later tanks bolting to the bracket eliminated that. The older design is more complicated to do if your not really familiar with it. It's been a few years since I had to do my 91 tank.

Hopefully I can get the Sport skid plate easily and see about mounting the 93 tank. The pump assembly should be the hardest part. Either would function, but the newer style would be easier to work with in the future.