V6 to V8 questions

[Bstandsforbama]

I have a 93 Sport 5 speed. I know the 5.0 swap is obviously possible but my question is can you lower it and still do the swap without having to do an insane amount of fab work. I was reading where people were saying its best to lift it a couple inches. Is that to make it an easier conversion or is it because it literally won't fit unless you do so. I was wanting to lower it quite a bit. I was gonna get it as low as I could on 17s without it scrubbing or giving me driving issues.

 

[Gadget X]

I think the lift referred to is a body lift, to give the engine and exhaust manifolds a little more room. May be possible to lower it, but I'm not sure how much. You're probably looking at some moderate fab work. Good luck with it, though!

 

[Bstandsforbama]

lol thanks for the help.

 

[FR-425]

I have a 93 Sport 5 speed. I know the 5.0 swap is obviously possible but my question is can you lower it and still do the swap without having to do an insane amount of fab work. I was reading where people were saying its best to lift it a couple inches. Is that to make it an easier conversion or is it because it literally won't fit unless you do so. I was wanting to lower it quite a bit. I was gonna get it as low as I could on 17s without it scrubbing or giving me driving issues.

The main reason to do a body lift is to get more clearance for the A/C box.

You will mainly run into cutting the a/c box so much that your a/c just can't work worth a hoot.

The best solution I've seen is an under dash "classic" a/c conversion. This way you can get rid of the factory air box completely. (except the heater core and fan for heat and defrost functions)

Vintage Air sells a complete kit; but you can just get the hoses and the under dash air box and use your existing compressor and condenser.

And they work better than the factory air. iccccy

A complete kit only runs $560.00. Also a cheap way to do a full a/c replacement when the factory junk goes, well junk end up....

 

[Bstandsforbama]

Ahhhh okay. I actually have an AC unit to use. It's just that I don't wanna lift it or leave it stock. I wanna lower it a lot. I'm trying to build a fun street strip weekend warrior kinda ride. Nothing insane I'm not gonna be tubbing it or anything haha but yeah my concerns were about being able to actually fit a 5.0 in it if I slammed it. I don't mind hacking and cutting stuff just didn't wanna start modifying the frame or tearing the body apart. I knew it was perfectly capable to do just never seen any threads about building a hot rod. I know the headers have to be changed and if I'm not mistaken 85-93 convertible GT motor mounts work right? And I heard the trans swap was easy just a little modifying in the floor as I'm gonna be running a 5 speed. But I haven't really found any info on that so I ain't 100% sure. But either way that's not my biggest concern.

 

[Gadget X]

If you want a 302 v8 with a 5-speed, the easiest way to go is to use an M5OD-R2 from (I think) a v6 f150. Should bolt right up! Good luck with it!

 

[Rhett]

If the truck is 4WD why not ditch the 4WD and D35 and that would allow you to get a LOT of room underneath. If the truck is 2WD, you can still gain room, with custom front end work. I'm not sure I'd even mess with an Explorer front end, 2WD or 4WD either one.

Then you could mount the engine pretty low in the compartment. Good for less topweight but a custom front-end might be needed.

I have never heard of anyone doing it, but using a Fox body stang front end (and possibly widening its track) under the Explorer might be neat. Also, some of those Thunderbird SuperCoupes and Lincoln Mk7's had that drivetrain...

 

[Bstandsforbama]

Very interesting! And it is a 2wd. I'm not doing just a plain stock 5.0 swap I intend on building a sick engine. Not sure what trans I'm running yet for all I know I may slap an auto in it. Though the goal is a 5 speed. I'll do some research and see what I can find out. It's a nice explorer and I REALLY wanna build one but don't wanna have to start tearing it apart and hacking the frame. thanks for the replies that's very interesting. I'll look into that and see what I can do or people have done. Just so hard finding pics, threads, or videos ANYWHERE of a first gen that's been built into a hot rod. Fast yes. Or lifted. But nothing slammed on fat tires lol which makes me wanna build it even more!! Rangers all day but NO EXPLORERS. Even built s10 Blazers are a dime a dozen.

 

[trashtruck]

a little bit off topic but I was curious, after dropping in a beefed up v-8 if you were considering upping the brakes to 4 wheel disc. probably be nice to bring all that hp to a stop at some point.

 

[Rhett]

Though the goal is a 5 speed. I'll do some research and see what I can find out.

Tremec T5? I don't know, I am not too familiar with 5.0 manuals, although i can tell you, my bud has a 1989 5.0 Mustang GT, with manual, and that tranny still shifts fine after all these years (and a few launches).

As far as automatics, the AOD/AOD(E) is the only one that I can remember off the top of my head. The OBD-II 5.0 Explorers and Mountaineers had the 5R55E I believe, but you sound like you'll be sticking with OBD-I. I'd probably go with a manual 5.0 Mustang transmission if it were me. Those things are stout in my (limited) experience. I'm sure the Mustang guys would know more.

 

[mr cribb]

The exact reason for using the 97-03 V6 F150 M5R2 is to locate the shifter in the factory location.

If you wish to use other 5 speed transmissions, you need to modify the shifter hole location/ console and area it occupies.

 

[Bstandsforbama]

I've also considered building the snot out of a 2.3T... that would be wicked fun. Different. And from my knowledge it should fit like a glove. Don't think I'd have any issues with it being lowered. And hacking stuff doesn't scare me. It's tearing the body apart or cutting into the frame that I don't wanna do lol relocating, little fab work, etc is fine. But when I put more work and money into just making it capable of fitting a 5.0 than actually buying and building a 5.0 itself I'm gonna have to pass. Because I don't have the tools nor knowledge to whip out a cutting torch or start welding.

 

[decipha]

don't be scared to break new grounds, everyone has to start somewhere

i'd recommend getting a little 130 amp mig welder, anyone can use a mig with a little practice you'll be a pro in no time

 

[Bstandsforbama]

it's not so much that I can't do it it's mainly that I don't have any equipment and I would want it done professionally which would not be the end result of me getting a hold of it. If I'm gonna put that much time into something I'll finish my mustang. Corvette. Alfa. And whatever else is torn apart lol I do wanna get good at welding though. Mainly body work. But I have countless buddies who do it and I usually have cars for customers or something we're restoring that needs to be done right. And I'm way too busy to sit down and practice :/