Last year I bought a damaged 91 Explorer that I was thinking about using as a chassis and drive train for an older ford pick up body. I recently acquired a 1953 Ford F-100 short bed step side pick up and I am thinking about using the Explorer 4WD chassis and drive train with it. I am not really crazy about using the V6 though. I am not really familiar with the set up in regard to the engine and transmission. I would like to use a 302 engine with it but I don't know if it can be mated to the automatic transmission in the 91 Explorer. If it requires the computer to operate then it's a bad idea. If not I would like to give it a try. I am almost sure there must be someone on these forums that knows if this can be done. I want the 302 to be purely a conventional carburated engine with no computer. Any thoughts or sugestions regarding this idea would be appreciated.

Dave

 

The transmission in a '91 Explorer will be an A4LD. 3-4 shift and torque converter lockup clutch (TCC) are computer controlled. Even if you got the A4LD to bolt up to the 302 (I'm not aware of any adaptors to make it work), it wouldn't take long for the 302 to rip up the A4LD (the A4LD barely holds up to the V6; a V8 would rip it up).

After thinking for a few minutes, if you don't want the V6, you might be better off selling the Explorer and finding a different donor truck with a V8 drivetrain. In the end you would probably be able to use the 8.8 rear axle, but that's all that I can think of that the Explorer really shares with the V8 drivetrain.

 

As long as you're getting rid of the body, you could easily use a 302 with a c4/c6 and full size Bronco/F150 transfercase.

 

Thanks Mr. Shorty,
I suspected that would be the case but I though it would be much better to ask than to start taking the thing apart to find out. No great loss here as I originally bought the Explorer for $500.00 and have been using it like a tractor around here to move stuff around. It has minor body damage and rocker panel rust but is servicable for what I have used it for. I have had the rebuildable 302 laying around here for some time and I would rather have a no computer set up in the 53 truck. There are usually a number of Ford 4WDs in various degrees of condition for sale around here on a regular basis so it shouldn't be too hard to find something. One other idea I had was to build up the V6. If I did that do you know of any mods or kits to beef up the weak transmission? As for adapting the engine to the transmission, I have Two lathes and a Bridgeport mill so I'm sure I could come up with an adapter. But, as you say, the tranny is weak and if that can't be fixed it's a moot point. Years ago I had a 73 Bronco with a C4 and a 302 and it was the toughest 4WD I ever owned. I would probably still have it but the body just rusted away. I wish I'd kept it now that I have this truck. I will probably look for another one. Thanks for your expertise on this issue.

Dave

 

Hi Senior User,
Yeah, that was one idea I had but it would mean building a whole chassis which would be an option for me as I have a very good extra frame for the 53. The idea for using the 91 Explorer chassis grew out of the fact that the wheel base, tracking width and frame width were all within workable tolerances. I have plenty of time to mull this over as I have another project in the garage now that I need to finish. That will give me time to find something but it doesn't hurt to do some advance planning so I can be on the lookout for parts and /or a donor vehicle.

Dave

 

I think with your on-hand equipement you could make the explorer frame work well. Why not add an AOD transmission to the 302? It will bolt up easily, and you can get an aftermarket cable and adapter to fit the carb (for the pressure valve i.e shifting).

When I did my 54, I used a 92 5.0 and 70 c4. I still plan to convert to an overdrive someday. I have an AOD in my 88 with 190000 on it and still no problems.