I've got some info from the newer F150 and Explorer forums, and now I am looking for a general yea or neigh on this project.

I am planning to swap an OBDII equipped 302/5.0L out of a 96-01 Explorer into my 2004 Nissan Xterra. The X is manual with a 2.4L 4 cylinder. I want to use a ZF 5 speed transmission with attached transfer case. I will be using the Explorer engine harness and ECM for the engine.

Good idea or bad?

 

One question. WHY????????????????

 

I could think of a bunch of better engine donor options than a 5.0 v8 that barely wheezes out 220hp This is the 21'st century. Put an LS in that sucker like any well adjusted human being


By swapping in a 5.0 you're basically recreating a $1500 ford exploder from the 90's. Hardly worth the trouble of a swap

 

I am actually having difficulty finding a manual transmission and manual transfer case. I want something that is stronger than the VG33 that Nissan offered in it. The LS series does not have a readily available manual 4x4 trans and t-case. I admit the LS is impressive, but I know Ford's pushrod V8's better than any other manufacturer. I am also fully prepared to rebuild the old 5.0 to give me the numbers I want.

Any other ideas, besides the LS or the 5.0 that has a readily available manual 4x4 trans and is OBDII compliant?

 

Folks swap LS motors into jeeps of all makes and models ALL with manual transfer cases and they do it by the thousands.

A manual t-case is not a stumbling block