Thread: charlie browns motor swap

ok i have started this motor swap from a 2.9 88 ranger to a 4.0 sohc from a 01 sport trac.
i have posted several question on here in different places but i thought i just start a project thread and try (try) to keep it all in one spot. i may have to post some things else where to get more views on what i need, so don’t dog me, you been warned.

the old motor and trans are out and sold, i bought a 01 sport trac that rolled and was able to strip everything i thought i would need off of it.
just got the pump and steering box back from tommy Lee.

right now i am working on the computer. after talking to steve at powertrains, he suggested for me to get a year older computer because he can do more tuning with it and he can turn off the pats system.
he gave me some codes to go look for but i cant find them anywhere.
he gave me EBXO or a EBX1. he said they should be for a 2000 ranger/explorer with a auto.
my current computer is a TTY2.
i have been searching online and at a few parts store with no luck.
any help?

oh since i am making this some what a build thread, here are some pictures and some back ground of the truck.

i bought this truck new in 88. had it special order it the way i wanted it from dick landfield, Fairview ford (owner of the dave ashly TT team in the day).
picked it up the day micky thomas died. i remember talking to dick and dave that day.

had the truck for 2 weeks before it went on jack stands for the first of many builds.
it has been built and rebuilt several times since.
the truck spends most of its offroading time in baja. i do take it to the local races at times but, i just cruise around and watch in the states. its to dangerous. i hit 2 kids on a 3 wheeler (shows how long ago) in barstow, thats why.
as i have looked back on all the builds i have always kept one thing in mind. keep it street legal and comfortable. ok that’s 2. this truck has out lasted many girl friends, a marriage/divorce, birth of my daughter (who is driving this truck now at times) and many other things that life throws at you. A lot of friends have helped me work on my truck from the projects in the garage to some field repairs/advice.
that’s why it is time for a new motor. so if you can help with some question from time to time, great.

the truck currently has a threat equal length beams (the shortest he made) and steering. its about 5 1/2 inches wider.
friends and myself made the radius arms and mounts. i am a big fan of having them be like a center mount under the trans.
strapped at about 19 or 20?

the rear is a plank/SI/new line 4 link. funny story with that. i was getting ready to make my own and went to the san felipe race. in the kings shock booth, they had this laying there. i asked about it and they told me that Larry just wanted them to show it. on monday morning i was at planks shop putting my deposit on one. he was still working on the first truck that he was mocking it up on (dry wall ranger guy?) i took mine to donahoes shop (i had a friend that was renting space there) and we were putting it together over there. someone walking through the shop saw it and called plank and told him that kreg was copying it. started a big feud. anyways, plank rear is still there, never had a problem with it. close to the first one on the road or dirt. strapped at 28"
i tried to powder coat everything i could or cad/zinc plate.

Anybody can help me with the computer codes? I will try to call steve at powertrains but he is hard to get ahold of.

sorry for the long post. bottom line right now ineed some help with the computer codes and with the gate shifter for the 5r55e 5 speed auto. been told i may need to make a new top shifter plate. anybody done this yet?

Can you post pics of how your roof rack is mounted


Also, someone told me that you're running a gates shifter and that stock trans, is that the case?
I've heard its possible, but can't find a single person that has done it.

[QUOTE=aiiraciing;2339876]Can you post pics of how your roof rack is mounted


truck is over at a shop now and i don’t think i have any close ups of the roof rack.
what i did when i was rebuilding the cab cage is i cut some holes in the roof next to the cage. i made some tabs to slide down through the roof and welded them to the cage. patch the roof with some sheet metal.
i also drilled some holes in the tabs just before they weld to the cage so i could hang stuff on them umm like a coat hanger ( for the chicks).
you could probably lift the truck up off those tabs and they are very universal to mount a rack to or a light rack or what ever.

the roof rack it's self is a very thin wall light weight rack with a very low profile so i can make it under my garage door. it was mainly made to carry camp gear/cloths bags. i like to go out and do exploring at old ghost towns, death valley and baja surf trips. Oh, and I made a little spot in the center of the rack to allow the antenna throw.

ah the trans question. well my truck is a 88 and had the A4LD trans. this was one of fords first electronic trans. with this trans, you can select what gear you want and as long you are not way out of range, it goes. i have the art carr or winters (cant remember) 4 speed shifter plate and DOM (dominic Picone) made the linkage. the trans does have some work in it but it was 20 years ago and my brain cant remember what or who. LOL
i sold the trans to some one on here.
there a great trans. one thing i was always told by the "old timers" about it was to run them as cold as possible and only ONLY run type F or FA. f"" that mercon crap.
Until a few weeks ago, the motor and trans have never been out of the truck or apart. Never had a oil leak. For what it was, I gatta say it kick ass. Trent was with me the last 2 baja trips and it kept up with much more power plants.

just looking at the pict. above and on #14 you can see the roof rack tab coming through the roof from the inside.

Can't wait, it going to be BA with the new motor. And Chris I will say you nailed it on keeping it comfortable and the truck has a shit ton of storage.

thanks, i wish i could make it more quite inside. i found 2 cracks in the fire wall after pulling the motor that i am welding up. i wonder if that was making us a little fatigue and or headaches. there not very big.

Nice to see that you've had the truck from day one! Sorry I can't help out with your swap, but good luck & nice truck!

Originally Posted by V8ranger

Nice to see that you've had the truck from day one! Sorry I can't help out with your swap, but good luck & nice truck!

thanks V8ranger. with going to a OBII from a OBI as i am getting more into it, there are thoughts that i should of gotten a V8 from a OBI year mustang. i think it would have been easier.

My little 12 car or chase truck (cant remember) was next to your truck at the D2G event. I spent at least 20 minutes crawling around it. Cant wait to see the finished product with the new motor.

good grief! i'll be keeping my eye on this thread

i remember you had you 12 car. i think it was all preped and ready to race.

Originally Posted by TMorf

My little 12 car or chase truck (cant remember) was next to your truck at the D2G event. I spent at least 20 minutes crawling around it. Cant wait to see the finished product with the new motor.

here is some cell phone updates today. got the new tommy Lee steering box and pump in and the motor mounts in. changing the timing chains today and getting it ready to put in tomorrow.

this electrical is going to kill me. what a mess.

i am still looking for some headers, anybody??

i dont know if you have posted or not... find out what the deal/law is on the cats, do they need to be motor year/stock or can they be aftermarket. i heard from somewhere it has to be stock, no more aftermarket cats that still have a CARB EO# im putting plans together for a swap and this is one issue i see being a problem

I'm of no help, but your truck looks sweet! I like how the bed is set up too. Do you have any more pictures of when you built the bed cage?

Hands down one of my favorite trucks on here. I love this thing! Have fun with that electrical nightmare though!

I don't know if he ever sold them, but a month or two ago, the ODR ranger guy (tommy-something, I think?).. he has a re-build thread somewhere here in the rides section. Anyway, he had a set of SOHC headers in the classifieds. Might still be laying around, maybe try shooting him a pm?
Good luck w/ the swap, and tracking down some headers!

-eddie

Originally Posted by yellowranger1

I don't know if he ever sold them, but a month or two ago, the ODR ranger guy (tommy-something, I think?).. he has a re-build thread somewhere here in the rides section. Anyway, he had a set of SOHC headers in the classifieds. Might still be laying around, maybe try shooting him a pm?
Good luck w/ the swap, and tracking down some headers!

-eddie

If it was in fact Tommy then that motor was a OHV.

Mike

It's tomyknee

Originally Posted by only1mikey

If it was in fact Tommy then that motor was a OHV.

Mike

Damn, I was wrong.. I guess there really is a 1st time for everything! lol, thanks for clearing that up, Mike.

Originally Posted by yellowranger1

Damn, I was wrong.. I guess there really is a 1st time for everything! lol, thanks for clearing that up, Mike.

No worries. Everyone get's Tommy motor mixed us, cause he was the only one silly enought to dump a bunch of cash into a push rod 4.0L, instead of a SOHC.

You know if your going to the Night Race or the Night Race Prerun yet Eddie?

Mike

Found the ad, and says they're for SOHC... never says sold or anything, so maybe they're still around? Doug Thorley Ranger Headers

I'm hoping to make the pre-run, I'm working nights the next 2 weekends but I think I'll be able to get the time off.

- Eddie

Originally Posted by yellowranger1

Found the ad, and says they're for SOHC... never says sold or anything, so maybe they're still around? Doug Thorley Ranger Headers

I'm hoping to make the pre-run, I'm working nights the next 2 weekends but I think I'll be able to get the time off.

- Eddie

Ah coolness!!!

Ah I guess I was wrong, i know he had a pushrod V6 in his truck though for sure! Carry on then.

Mike

yep, that’s the new stupid law. it does not what you put out in your exhaust but what stamps are on your parts. thank fucking arnold. king of the jack ass traders. sorry, people who know me know i don’t talk like that but i get real pissed at this dumb stuff.

you can not buy a cat in California really any more. and i tried the internet and places are so scared of CARB that they will not mail one to any ca. address.

cats are going for as much as $1200.00 each at the dealer. don’t even think about a wrecking yard unless you have a inside connection.

with that said, i have in great condition a full set (all 2 of them) for sale for a 2.9 ranger. pm me

Originally Posted by itwassweet

i dont know if you have posted or not... find out what the deal/law is on the cats, do they need to be motor year/stock or can they be aftermarket. i heard from somewhere it has to be stock, no more aftermarket cats that still have a CARB EO# im putting plans together for a swap and this is one issue i see being a problem

ahh, thanks for the tip. that’s why i dig this site. i PM him so i will wait and see.

don’t have to tell me about working nights. it just plain sucks. i only work a swing shift (3-11) but it has really thrown me off.
thanks goodness it is only a temp sub job working for the HB high school district doing maint. work for the summer. then it back on unemployment..

Originally Posted by yellowranger1

Found the ad, and says they're for SOHC... never says sold or anything, so maybe they're still around? Doug Thorley Ranger Headers

I'm hoping to make the pre-run, I'm working nights the next 2 weekends but I think I'll be able to get the time off.

- Eddie

We saw your truck down in San Felipe at the 250 this year. That thing is rad! Best of luck with the swap, it sounds like you're off to a great start.

Originally Posted by bicycleweed.com

We saw your truck down in San Felipe at the 250 this year. That thing is rad! Best of luck with the swap, it sounds like you're off to a great start.

thanks. san felipe is one of my favorite places (in the winter/spring) then its the pacific side for summer fun.

update: the motor is all the way in. the auto fab mounts are holding it on its own now. forgot to get picture.

a little problem with the power steering pump hose. i had LEE make all the hoses for it a AN type. it looks like i an going to have a problem with the return line back into the pump. clearance, oh shit. what is everybody else using?

still looking for help with the steering pump.

taking apart the old dash today. that was my daughters project. she did a good job, i only had to help with some of the plugs.

still looking for help with the power steering pump return line. one idea is to get a 90, cut the threads off and clock it the way needed and weld it. don’t like that to much. another is to get a stock one and modify it. i have one on order but i don’t even know what it looks like or if it will work. this is what i am working with. what has everyone else done? pict.

Why dont you try Hose Pros or Prytek to make you a custom line that threads right into the pump. HOSE > 90 > correct size male fitting into pump.

Or dont like the other guy said on RDC and modify the pump and adapt/weld the correct size fitting directly to the pump.

Originally Posted by baja619

Why dont you try Hose Pros or Prytek to make you a custom line that threads right into the pump. HOSE > 90 > correct size male fitting into pump.

Or dont like the other guy said on RDC and modify the pump and adapt/weld the correct size fitting directly to the pump.

that’s what i am going to do. i did not pay attention to the stock line before i took it to LEE. had to order a new line with the fitting. should ne here by sat.

getting the drive shaft work done today. had to change the end that goes into the tranny. my old one had a slip yoke, the new one has a u-joint. same length. got tranny coolers hooked up.

need to make a new throttle cable. the end on my intake is different.
i will post pict of the throttle cable and drive shaft latter.
here are some more of the dash. i found the "PATS" box. it was behind the passenger air bag. i think i am going to try the trick of taking out the "chip/pill" out of the key and attach it to the box for now. then i will get the older computer and have steve at powertrains bypass it.

right on Chris I will call you when I get home from Oklahoma (Aug. 4-5) I want to check it out!

Originally Posted by Chase550

right on Chris I will call you when I get home from Oklahoma (Aug. 4-5) I want to check it out!

stop by when you get back. have fun.
i will get more pict this week. update now: working on the fuel line. should be easy, the old system had a return system and the new one does not so i can remove one line. the old one had 2 pumps, the new one only has one (in the tank). i am going to use the complete set up from the new motor that goes in the tank. it has the bypass built in. i may have to get a new blank top plate and remake it for this set up. should not be to hard as long as i can find someone to weld the alumina for me. i got the fuel line from a donor all the way to the filter, from there i will tie into my line that i already have to the cell.
drive shaft should be back from the shop.
new throttle cable put in.
believe it or not, the radiator i have will work.
tranny lines hooked up.

Awesome, I will defiantly come by, Nick @ Canidae would weld it up for you I'm sure.

Ok the truck come home from the auto shop were I was doing most of the fitment and some of the plumbing. Now it is in my shop (backyard).

Make note here for points not to do while doing this type of motor swap, when getting power steering pump work done, have them set it up with stock lines. I had a very hard time getting the AN fittings in there. Ended up cutting the bracket for clearance.

Next is a good wash job, look over the plumbing that is already done, make a list and organize it, call on friends.

Drive shaft is complete, trans lines and cooler is complete, most of the fuel lines are complete.

Things left:
Hook up the defroster and cut holes for vents in dash
Re-run heater lines
Make a new top plate with the filler hose and all the crap on the fuel tank
Exhaust from headers back
Re-mount/make fan shroud
Strip interior and repaint cage to change color from black to grey (por 15 paint)
And oh yea that little small part called RE-WIRE. Oh shit. Pat smith, get home from you 6 month trip.

ok, a little update, question, what is this little "bowl" type thing that is mounted on my frame rail fuel line? it was stock on my ranger. i took it apart once and it is just like a little "reservoir". do i still need it? i am re-pluming my fuel cell and line up to the motor.

^^ never mind, i got a answer from "another" web site.



anyways,power steering is finaly done, fuel lines done, will have pictures of the new top plate of my cell with all the stock "quick turn" smog stuff welded on it.
who says you cant put a gate shifter on a 5r55e trans? check that off.

rear drive shaft had to be shorten a bit (the 1st part) so i had to pull shocks and check plung. man, i did not realize that the plank/newline/SI rear 3 link had so much plung.

how much are you getting? roughly 2" i think that is what i saw on my friends truck.