Tell me how to swap a 5.0L in my 99 Sport

[dogodell]

hmmm I am trying to figure out/ remember where I got that from... I know it was from while I was doing research for my own swap

anyways... if I can find the funds (gotta sell the other toy first) and the time Ill be doing a 5.0 M5OD and F150 manual transfer case swap this summer... so I can find out first hand... if successful than Ill do a write up... warning though I am usually not very good at taking pics along the way

 

[boss 331]

No one on this forum has done a manual swap on a 5.0 explorer, at least none that have talked about it.

I know. I have been searching for literally weeks trying to find info on doing a 5.0 5 speed, 2WD conversion on a 2 door sport and I am not having any luck. This thread is the closest that I have found. Why would the t-5 from a mustang not "live very long" in these trucks? Is it the weight issue? My X will not be taken off road. It is my daily driver, and that is not to say there want be any jackrabbit takeoffs or powershifting, but it want be driven hard all the time.

 

[boss 331]

Anybody got any ideas why a mustang t-5 wouldn't work in an X behind a 5.0?

 

[dogodell]

It will work (issues with fab work and fitting it in the existing space aside) and has been argued (sp?) by others (at least I think that's what I remember) that it is the best option.... all depends on how you plan on driving it...

I am by no means an expert... but I would assume that it has something to do with weight and what the stock components are designed to do....

Mustang clutch and trans = designed to accelerate a lighter weight to a high speed quickly (lighter components = greater speed... something to do with less rotating mass... or at least that has been my experience with bikes).... truck/ explorer = heavy weight = doesn't fair well with lightweight components especially when off road...

more or less... meaning t5 is not built to deal with the greater amount of weight and the stress that said weight puts on the drive train...

I am new to this when it comes to cars SO anybody with greater knowledge or a differing opinion please feel free to contradict me!!!!

 

[boss 331]

What you say makes sense. I am definately no expert either and I am more comfortable talking about mustangs for sure. My truck will be used for street only and is my daily driver. The reason I am thinking about this is I have a 98 5.0 donor vehicle, but obviously an auto. My truck is a 5-speed and I would like to keep it that way. So would a 5-speed from an f-150 or bronco work better than a t-5? What is the gearing in these? I don't want a "granny" gear in this truck. I drive interstate mostly and need to keep the gas mileage as high as possible. Thanks for any help or ideas given....

 

[dogodell]

assuming you want to go the t5 route the biggest issue that I have come across in my research is a possible difference in bell housing between the explorer 5.0 and the mustang (although i was brought up to assume that any 302 was more or less interchangeable???) and the "manual/ cable" vs hydraulic clutch (don't know much about mustangs)...

there is some good info on therangerstation.com on V8 and possible manual transmission swaps... I am new to the explorer scene (veteran owners please chime in as to the differences between the explorer and the ranger... especially trans tunnel dimensions for those that have a 5spd sport like me)...

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/V8Conversions.html

for example gives a decent list of the possible swaps and the advance adapter kits available... also suggests checking out James Duff....

Sorry to be a newb and submitting this much of my own opinions but based upon past experiences this should be feasible in an X for a "reasonable" price once someone has paved the way...

oh and to answer the other ?... i think!!! the difference between the M50D the ZF5 and the T5 is the "heavier" components and the lower gearing in the "truck" transmissions... and possibly the all important size factor (though I would assume T5 would be an easier fit)...

I am personally considering the M50D because I have a complete donor truck available and the fact that it is "more suited for truck use" also I have noticed that the truck I have has a hydraulic clutch and slave I am hoping similar to the X sport that I currently drive (think I've got the right vehicle at least the X is hydraulic right?? don't wanna go back outside and have 3 projects going...)

 

[boss 331]

Yes our X 5-speeds are hydraulic clutches. That is one of the problems I had thought about as well. The mustang t-5 is manual/cable type. I don't know how hard it would be to convert over to the cable type- Installing a clutch quadrant and possible pedal assemblies.. Maybe I should go the easy way out and just put in the auto tranny.

 

[dogodell]

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2263

YAY im not crazy... well... I figured out where I had found others that had done a M5OD R2 swap at least....

Now just need the guys that have already done 5.0 and other transmission swaps to tell me how much room there is under there... or if anyone has both an explorer and ranger and wants to take a look that would be great too!!

(I mean the ranger and the 5spd explorer both use the same engine and trans package right?? so its gotta be possible as long as you can get the shifter to clear the dash....)