How to: V8 transmission mount shootout

[410Fortune]

So I am always looking to upgrade the weak sauce factory transmission mount that came on the 1996-01 explorer and mountaineer v8 5.0 models.

Many of us like to remove the small factory blah awd transfer case and replace it with a much heavier half ton / three quarter ton part time transfer case the bw4406 (have also done np205, bw1356 and various 1356 based doublers) even the factory awd case would benefit from this upgrade.

This puts additional extra strain on the already weak sauce factory transmission mount imo

Weak sauce factory two piece rubber mount

In the past I have looked to the aftermarket mustang/ f150 for a stronger 4r70w/ aode / aod bolt pattern mount.
The taller mount had me modifying the factory crossmember in order to run the upgraded urethane piece.

Modded crossmember with f150 aod mount

No big deal but it maybe not necessary

Thanks to @allmyEXes bringing this 60’s comet / stang mount to my attention I believe far less modifications to the crossmember will be needed to run this mount.
This is a much easier viable alternative for all v8 explorers stock, or modified.

Energy Suspension 4.1136 Transmission Mount | Energy Suspension Parts

Transmission Mount made by Energy Suspension | 4.1136 Transmission Mount.

www.energysuspensionparts.com

Energy 4.1136
Prothane 60615


Follow along as I mock one up to fit our trucks and determine exactly what it needed to fit this energy urethane mount on a 4r70w automatic in your favorite small block explorer or ranger based vehicle

As you can see this mercury mount is similar height to factory explorer v8 mount and already had the correct aod / 4r70w bolt spacing

Compared to factory Mount, very similar!

Same height yes

However for it to fit the stock crossmember will require some figuring. The offset from mount to trans tailhousing spacing is approx 7/8” .
The factory Mounting Holes will Not work

I’m currently finishing this project in a v8 ranger. Final results of how to get this to work in your rig coming soon

Will end up looking something like this

Its science!

 

[CDW6212R]

Very good find, thanks to @allmyEXes.

So is the height correct then? It looks like you have to drill the cross member holes a little closer, can the front to back be corrected also by drilling both of those holes offset too? That will be a sweet upgrade for the V8 trucks.

 

[Josh P]

@allmyEXes is a genius. I wish I had a 60s comet or ranchero.

 

[Stic-o]

I have one @RockRanger fabbed up. Super heavy duty. Have yet to use it. Will probably use it on the Navajo.

 

[vroomzoomboom]

did a poly mount years back when i did my v8/4406 swap. wish i had known about that mount, however swapping to that case was a win. i dont think the awd case would have lived, and i also wanted to be 2wd or 4wd when i wanted.

 

[allmyEXes]

@410Fortune So the 6th and 7th picture is the Explorer mount compared to the ES 4.1136?
If the Energy Suspension company charges shipping, this might be cheaper. Here is an Ebay link including shipping from an Atlanta GA parts store.
Energy Suspension 4.1136 transmission mount. Look below in the add. It fits dozens of old Ford products.

 

[410Fortune]

Yes that is what is shown in those pictures

 

[allmyEXes]

As I look at the Ebay add link, at the bottom of the page is some shown for less money.
Energy Suspension 4.1136 transmission mount $57.99 inc shipping

 

[410Fortune]

I got it on a Black Friday deal it was $40 and change Amazon hooray!

 

[Brian1]

I've had a stock mount and cross member sitting on my shelf for years that I was trying to figure out a way to make a mount for that was similar to my 1st gen HD trans mount that I make. Using the round bushing style was impossible given the short overall height of the mount so I put that project on the backburner. That poly mount is a good find and the comparisons and how to make it work is some great tech 410!

I have one @RockRanger fabbed up. Super heavy duty. Have yet to use it. Will probably use it on the Navajo.

I thought Matt's mount was for 1st Gens, does he have a 2nd Gen version?

 

[410Fortune]

When installing the 4406 transfer case I also move the trans to the passenger side 1/4”
So when placing the holes in the crossmember this is taken into account
The rear driveline needs this change in order to avoid vibrations. After many years of research I have come to this conclusion. It has to do with rear driveline angle. It also gives a little more space between the drivers frame rail and transfer case

I’m finishing up the engine install in the 07 ranger right now, she is the test mule for this new mount

Details to follow

 

[Stic-o]

I've had a stock mount and cross member sitting on my shelf for years that I was trying to figure out a way to make a mount for that was similar to my 1st gen HD trans mount that I make. Using the round bushing style was impossible given the short overall height of the mount so I put that project on the backburner. That poly mount is a good find and the comparisons and how to make it work is some great tech 410!



I thought Matt's mount was for 1st Gens, does he have a 2nd Gen version?

I thought the mounts were the same I know the brace is different.

 

[410Fortune]

Verdict is in

The 1136 mount only requires minor modifications to the factory crossmember to be used
This will work in 1996-2001 explorer v8
Also work for us 4406 conversion guys
Or anyone with a 4wd 4r70w in a gen ii torsion sprung rbv

I only had to add some new holes to the crossmember.
Once was all said and done I welded some washers to the bottom of the crossmember and then paint.

I kept this mod simple and just used a small drill bit. Then a stepped bit, then a file to make the new holes.
Parts mocked up in truck, t case pushed to pass side 1/4” and washers located final

Much better than the factory pos mount!!

 

[410Fortune]

So here is the final

I used a rubbing of the actual poly mount to ensure I put the holes exactly where they need to be

After test fit it was off to paint

So I’ve had a bad flu for a couple of weeks now really slowed me down.
Tomorrow will be final install on the 07 ranger along with brand new front and rear drivelines…. Stay tuned!

And yes you can run all 3 bolts

 

[allmyEXes]

I liked how the guide/reinforcement plate worked out. That's better than individual washers welded up in there. As those urethane Mustang transmission mounts gain in popularity, you should see the price of them come down a bit.

 

[410Fortune]

Yeah screw the washer idea I moved past that one day one
Thank you

Pics if final install next then we can put this to bed
I can build these all day long

 

[410Fortune]

Finally all done and installed
Plenty of clearance for front d shaft and t case

 

[I6CJ7]

Something I didn't see mentioned..

Did you change your engine mounts to poly as well? Trans and engine mounts are always supposed to be the same type. Otherwise when the engine torques the driveline doesn't flex together and can break the trans or T-case. Probably not a concern for the average driver.. But someone racing or on big tires and 1 ton axles.. It's alot more likely

 

[410Fortune]

Thanks for the advice!
No I did not
The issue is the 5.0 explorers the stock transmission mount is adequate with the stock awd t case
But with the much heavier 4406 the factory mount goes flat quickly
The solution is an upgrade
You can do this same mod using the non energy / prothane mount and just use a factory rubber bit for the same application 60s ford comet or mustang

I am not aware of any gen ii explorer / ranger 98-11 5.0 mounts that are urethane or solid mount
Maybe I should fabricate some

For the record i have not had an issue with these urethane upgrade on several v8 from rangers explorers to sport trac running the 4406 case typically on 33-35”
Tires

 

[CDW6212R]

FYI, there is an eBay seller who has new Ford trans cross members for sale. I just don't know if they were for V6's or V8's, no mention in the description; they looked like V8 units though.

edit, here's the link; NEW - OEM Ford F6TZ-6A023-AA Rear Transmission Support Bracket 1995-97 Explorer | eBay
I searched the part number fast and results suggested both for the 4.0 and the 5.0, some of those have to be wrong information. The box in my link showed it as F6TZ-6A023-AA , for $40.49 it's not bad for a new part.