2004 5.0 swap. That wasn't a question.

ericthehurt · #1 07-12-2010, 04:51 PM

So here is where I will get into full detail of just how graphically nasty this swap is going to be. Blew up the 3.0, and happened across a 1995 Mustang GT Convertible 5.0 with lots of power mods for $1000 so i had to buy it. It was T-boned. My fortune I thought. Well after reading a few posts on this and different forums, it seems like everyone just gives up when "PATS" is mentioned. I decided that I'm not going to. So with more reading and speaking with a few custom rod shops, it boils down to this............... You are basically looking at a full frame up build! Why do you ask? Well if you're going to go through the trouble of completely rewiring your truck while the engine is out then why not. That's right after I was told I should just remove everything having to do with the PATS, I discover the the BCM is littered with PATS components. PATS is like a disease if you want this swap. I am also going with a full build so that I can register and drive this truck once it's done. The DMV here in NC can be tricky, but re-titling and re-registering the vehicle as "Custom Built" gets you around being OBD-2 compliant here. It will be in the same class as kit cars and tested as such. The next reason is that this engine is BUILT and I don't want to twist my truck apart, so I will be installing a full suspension with traction bars. The rear end from the mustang is coming on over to the ranger too; it's for the disc break upgrade as both vehicles have the 8.8 rear. Oh, and to top it off, I'm going to be cutting in for the shifter and all the other fun that comes with auto to manual trans. I am planning to start the build in about a month and breaking it up into smaller projects so it doesn't overwhelm me. Right now my goal is to have it finished before the end of the year. I will try to add as many pictures as I can. I will also be posting about the smaller projects in individual forums for those parts as well as adding to this one. For now though I am just gathering info and saving money because this is also going to cost another few grand on top of the thousand on the car. Questions? Comments?

mikesturbo94 · #2 07-12-2010, 07:14 PM

Sounds like an awesome build idk if there's anyway i'll be able to help but I'll sure try lol

Airtruksrus · #3 07-12-2010, 07:49 PM

Looks like a genuine project on your hands, check out my cardomain page since i've got alot of what you talk about documented already. Good luck on the build and awesome you came across a complete mustang...

Airtruksrus · #4 07-13-2010, 03:50 AM

Just a thought about compatibility and the difference in years between the two vehicles, by registering the truck as a "custom built", didn't know if you would still have the problems with some states laws not allowing the use of a donor with almost 10 years difference between both vehicles, but closer to the year of your truck. It was a problem for another person a while back when considering the swap and not being allowed to register the truck.

ericthehurt · #5 07-13-2010, 02:13 PM

I haven't seen an official copy of NC's rules for custom built vehicles, but everything I've found so far only requires affidavits from the manufacturer for the engine and frame origin. I also may have an inspecrtor/referee who will give me the hook up to get it passed the first time. Even if it's passed by "mistake" it is instantly grandfathered. DMV doesn't seem like it's going to be what keeps it off the street. Thanks for that heads up though, if the age of the 5.0 is an issue, I'll just go get a new block so then it would be a "new" engine. Also his prob may have been the whole OBD-2 compliance, which I wont have to deal with.
Here is how it's supposed to work. You build what it is you want. Get your paperwork in order for the engine and frame. Have a state ref. do a safety inspection on the vehicle, and then you are all set. OBD-2 only plays if the vehicle is equipped with it, which it wont be.

Airtruksrus · #6 07-13-2010, 08:41 PM

Guess you got the background info. I didn't have to deal with that problem when mine got put together. Hope everything goes smooth for ya, i'm finding out what the issues of upgrading the rear differentials can lead you to. Hope to get the spring supports welded in place on new rear soon.

More_Cowbell · #7 07-13-2010, 09:26 PM

as far as saving money try and find an explorer 5.0 pulley system if you dont want to dishout the cash for a e-fan also there should be a hole covered up in the cab for the manual transmission at least i know that the second gen autos have a hole with a plate bolted on for the stick to go through

ericthehurt · #8 07-13-2010, 10:22 PM

Hopefully I will be using the fan and radiator from the mustang. The trans is something that's been on my mind a lot, I don't know if I'll be able to use the clutch assembly from the stang or not yet. If not, I'm going to try to find that in the junk yard, as well as the steering column, from a manual ranger, console and other interior stuffs too. I haven't pulled anything apart yet, so I don't know if the shifter hole is there, but if modern engineering has given us anything it's gunna be one part you can use for many things, so I'm all but counting on the hole being there. And I do understand the irony in my previous sentence all you Capitan Obvious' out there. Sheet metal mods will be no problem for me as I have lots of experience with it from work,a little grinding and welding never hurt a ranger. Oh, and not saving money as in finding other less expensive parts, saving money as in the locker and gears alone will cost through the nose, plus the suspension, and interior. The whole big big plan is to be taking home trophies and prize money showing this thing. I can't let on about what else I hope to be able to do with it, cause it's very unique and I don't want some shmuck trolling forums to steal my ideas. Paranoid I admit. That's after the swap is done, trucks on the road. But cash is the key, like we all know.

More_Cowbell · #9 07-14-2010, 09:43 AM

heres how to make the transmission work

http://www.v8-ranger.com/red/t5/t5.php

ericthehurt · #10 07-14-2010, 02:50 PM

Awesome. I was reading somewhere about a spacer also, 4", 5" and 9" were mentioned, do you know about that at all. What I'm really looking for is the pedal and linkage to bolt up. That would be nice.

ericthehurt · #11 07-14-2010, 03:03 PM

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ericthehurt · #12 07-14-2010, 03:04 PM

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blue1967 · #13 07-15-2010, 08:42 PM

got a 97 mountaineer 5.0 going to put in my 99 ranger. have u started on yours yet? Trying to make mine look as factory as possible.

DHEM · #14 08-15-2010, 02:22 AM

yo just a heads up i heard you can just have a programmer disable PATS or just install an explorer ecu

ericthehurt · #15 08-16-2010, 01:44 PM

Do you know what brand programmer, or do you mean send the computer away to be
re-programed? It would be great to not have to do the Body Control Module as well as the ECM. I was just planning on snatching the BCM out of the mustang and wiring it off the combined diagrams for the two vehicles.