Hello FTE, classic Ford Truck forum,
Previously, I posted about my project - a restomod of a 1950 F1 body onto a newer vintage Ford suspension/drivetrain. I was looking at a donor Ford Ranger, but your advice sent me to a better choice of a 2001 Explorer XLT. Matched WB and Track.
I'm in a (slow) process of deconstructing the donor looking to retain not only the frame/suspension (now lifted 3") and drive train, with the firewall and portion of the floor pan.

Meanwhile, I'm considering options with the drive train and wanted to glean some friendly advice.
Explorer has the 2001 EFI 302, automatic and AWD transfer. I've heard this vintage Explorer had mixed reliability performance with this drivetrain. What I'd love to do is swap for a (TBD Year) 5L Coyote, automatic and 4WD transfer, all from a F-150. Clearly lots of questions about compatibility, size/fit and mounts with the Explorer chassis. Has anyone tried this before? an F-150 drive train in a older Explorer frame? Is it even close? Any ideas where I can find info on compatibility?

I realize this may be a bridge too far for me, if so wondering about just the Coyote engine swap. Any insights on what year/version (still thinking F-150 version? early 2010's?) would be best for compatibility and fit?
You guys are always great. Thanks so much,
jc

 

You could stop where you are, and swap to the following year Explorer (2002) which was available with the 4,6, making a simpler engine swap.
(as well as IRS)

Check youtube for many Explorer/early Ford swaps from this era.

FWIW, the Ex 5.0 and 4R70W that you have should be quite bulletproof.

 

If you have the ability to do that frame swap, then you could make that motor tranny combo work. Test fit, readjust, check, repeat as necessary.

 

I’m curious what the reliability concerns are with your donor drivetrain? The 302 roller motors are very reliable even at high miles. I just had one apart that had 65,000 miles and it just needed a hone and fresh bearings to be like new.

I can’t wait to see your progress with the frame swap, should be cool.

 

Hello FTE, Classic Ford Truck Forum,
I'm moving slowly through this frame swap, but it's been fun. Thought I'd post another update here as I'm working to match up the 2001 Explorer floor pan with the 1950 F1 cab (old floor pan cut out). Taking some cues from U-tubers who've successfully done this before, but lots of learning the details as I go.

hanging/fitting the 2001 explorer floor pan into the 50 cab

Using the F1 floor pan cutout as a pattern

Back to my prior questions regarding drive train, I'm still leaning away from rebuilding/reusing the stock 302 (the donor was tired). I love the multiport FI (living in CO), but looking for more horsepower. I've an order in for a higher HP replacement but the shop can't estimate delivery - supply chain issues. I've been on the list for 2 months and #7 in cue. and #1 has been waiting since 12/21. So thinking I might cancel, I started looking at 5L Coyote salvaged drivetrains from F150s. There's a nice package from a 2015 F150 available now, modest miles, video of it running, includes a 6R80W tranny and transfer case, seems reputable.
- anybody have experience placing a Coyote/6r80W into an older explorer drivetrain. I'm not expecting it to fit and know this will require custom motor mounts, but curious if I'll be close enough on the position at the transfer case where I'll only need modified drive shaft lengths, or is there more to making this compatible?
- love to get ahold of a drawings or images (plan view) of a 2015 F150 4x4 drivetrain/chassis view and compare to a 2001 Explorer AWD drivetrain/chassis view. Any suggestions on where to find those?

Thank you
jc

 

I would think one of the upsides to doing a complicated frame swap as you are doing would be the use of the powertrain . With the huge mustang aftermarket getting hp out of a ford small block and keeping all the accessories working should not be hard . Plus a coyote is a huge motor . Just my 2c

 

You're gonna be on your own for 90% of this swap but that's the best part. Make it fit. The 2015 F150 drive train is a perfect choice as Gen II swaps are very popular. Keep plugging away at this elephant of a project and don't be overwhelmed as there's only one way to eat an elephant....one bite at a time. Have a gander at my thread for the "Coyote" part of the equation. Different truck but you may find some of it helpful.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...yote-swap.html