1988 B2 Conversion using 2000 Explorer 302

[dSINtia]

Guys,

I've been lurking for literally years. I own, and have since it was new, an 88 2wd Bronco II. It is fully restored to stock... B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L... but it has the lousy Cologne V6 and horrendous A4LD (I'm on my third one in 145K M). Anyhow, I've been intrigued with the 302 conversion for 15 years and last week I ran across what I think was a screaming deal. A 2000 Ford Explorer with the GT-40p Windsor 302 and AOD transmission with only 60K original miles. Un-wrecked and perfectly drivable... I picked it for $300. Not $3,000 - $300. I couldn't pass... I figured this is the PERFECT donor vehicle.

Anyhow, I have been reading and scouring the forums like crazy for articles or threads similar to what I'm about to undertake and have found nothing that really strikes me.

I have lots of questions about everything from PATS to the wiring harness to the need for driveshaft modification... not sure where to turn.

Will I need to pull the steering column out of the donor due to PATS... can I use the stock 5.0's FEAD, will I need a driveshaft modification or transmission adapter (tail shaft or bell housing), can I use the already married engine and tranny assuming I pull the ECM and wiring loom from the donor??? The list goes on and on and on but I'm starting this weekend and would love a little guidance for the pros.

Thanks in advance.

Dave

 

[Fant]

The stock fead is the best u can get. Its shorter than f150. Frm what i gather. Since ur b11 was 2wd. It used a dummy tcase. So u wnt need an adapter for the tranny. Use explorer drive line yoke and either shop around for right legnth driveshaft or have one made.

 

[dSINtia]

The stock fead is the best u can get. Its shorter than f150. Frm what i gather. Since ur b11 was 2wd. It used a dummy tcase. So u wnt need an adapter for the tranny. Use explorer drive line yoke and either shop around for right legnth driveshaft or have one made.

Yes. The 2WD used BW dummy xfer case and I figured using the stock FEAD was the best way to go. I'll use the radiator out of the donor and I already the truck set up on an electric cooling fan so mech clutch and fan aren't a concern.

Thanks... now I just need someone to chime in on the PATS... I think that stands for passive anti-theft system. The 2000 came with a "B" type system and I am concerned now that I'll need to yank the steering column and ignition from the donor. I just don't know enough about that damn system to work around but there's got to be a way...

 

[RangerSVT]

You failed to mention if the donor trans is 2wd or 4wd. Your best bet is to hit the junkyard for a 96-97 5.0 explorer and get the ECU, engine & trans harness. To run the the ECU & harness you have, you will literally need to wire in half the dash harness, including the steering column harness. Using the 96-97 setup eliminates pats. Pick up a first gen explorer (91-94) rad, it should bolt right in and will be enough to cool the 5.0. You will need a mustang dual sump oil pan & pickup tube, oil filter relocation kit with a 90* block adapter, throttle cable from the donor, motor mount plates highly recommended over the mustang convertible mounts, and massaging of your heater box on the firewall...

SVT

 

[RangerSVT]

You failed to mention if the donor trans is 2wd or 4wd. Your best bet is to hit the junkyard for a 96-97 5.0 explorer and get the ECU, engine & trans harness. To run the the ECU & harness you have, you will literally need to wire in half the dash harness, including the steering column harness. Using the 96-97 setup eliminates pats. Pick up a first gen explorer (91-94) rad, it should bolt right in and will be enough to cool the 5.0. You will need a mustang dual sump oil pan & pickup tube, oil filter relocation kit with a 90* block adapter, throttle cable from the donor, motor mount plates highly recommended over the mustang convertible mounts, and massaging of your heater box on the firewall...

SVT

 

[bobbywalter]

i would run a non pats system as well.

 

[bobbywalter]

or invest in a moates 1/4 horse or something.

 

[dSINtia]

or invest in a moates 1/4 horse or something.

The donor vehicle is a 2wd 2000 Ford Explorer with the 302.

I've bought the donor and it sits in my garage... I will be using this drive train. I'll consider it the price I pay for not doing my homework and not to mention my pride is too strong to admit to my wife I jumped the gun.

Anyhow, the Moates 1/4horse seems like a great idea if it allows me the ability to get past the requirement for the PATS module. I'm rifling through their website now trying to find information specific to this particluar issue.

In your experience, does the 1/4horse offer that level of functionality and will it mitigate the need for me to have to extensively work dash wiring and ignition?

Thanks again for the assistance guys...

 

[RangerSVT]

Your gonna have a lot of tuning and work to do. I'll break it down for you on the 5.0 explorer system...
96-97 no pats return style fuel system
98 pats return style fuel system
99-01 pats returnless style fuel system

Since you have a 2000, you have both a pats system and returnless style furl system working against you. The returnless style uses the intank pump with a regulator mounted in the tank to supply a regulated 65psi of fuel pressure. The return style has the regulator on the fuel rail and operates at about 40 psi. Moates can reprogram the ECU to run return style fuel system (which is what your B2 uses), but you will have to swap the fuel rails. I've done about a dozen of these swaps with this particular electrical system. Your best bet is to grab a 96-97 5.0 ECU and engine/trans harness from the junkyard...
SVT

 

[dSINtia]

Your gonna have a lot of tuning and work to do. I'll break it down for you on the 5.0 explorer system...
96-97 no pats return style fuel system
98 pats return style fuel system
99-01 pats returnless style fuel system

Since you have a 2000, you have both a pats system and returnless style furl system working against you. The returnless style uses the intank pump with a regulator mounted in the tank to supply a regulated 65psi of fuel pressure. The return style has the regulator on the fuel rail and operates at about 40 psi. Moates can reprogram the ECU to run return style fuel system (which is what your B2 uses), but you will have to swap the fuel rails. I've done about a dozen of these swaps with this particular electrical system. Your best bet is to grab a 96-97 5.0 ECU and engine/trans harness from the junkyard...
SVT

Thanks SVT. I understand both the PATS and fuel system issues - I appreciate you laying it out for me.

But for the fans in the back row, I understand that I basically need to get a 96/97 5.0 ECU with matching engine and trans harness, the fuel rail off of a 96-98 Windsor 302 (any model vehicle... wouldn't the fuel rail off any W302 running a return fuel system work???), and the Moates chip. All of this will be used on the drivetrain out of the 2000 donor and I'll need to tune the ECU to run on a fuel return fuel system...

On a side note, will the stock headers off the donor work in the B2 or will I need to get aftermarket?

I appreciate your help... thanks again.

 

[RangerSVT]

By getting the 96-97 ECU, you no longer need the moates system, unless you want to tune for extra power, or delete some uneeded functions. Any 5.0 fuel rail will work, however, I find the explorer fuel rails to work best as the connections are in the same location as the stock ranger/broncoII fuel lines are...

SVT

 

[dSINtia]

That makes perfect sense. I guess I'm on the prowl for a 96-98 fuel rail (easy), a 96/97 ECU (easy) and an engine/trans wiring harness (not so easy)... That should be a breeze. Haha. Thanks again... I drilling through all the data on the V8 conversion link in your signature but any quick must-do, nice to know tips you can offer without killing your entire day???

 

[RangerSVT]

The oil pan you know, you'll need oil pan bolts too as they are different. Power steering line, get you a 4.0 line, and straighten it out, and it'll fit. Everything else will be just as described except for wiring. If you need help with that, let me know...

SVT

 

[Mac]

The oil pan bolts "might" work, depending on if your donor has the steel pan vs the aluminum one. I know I have a couple of '97' XDT2 computers I've had for 4-5 years as well as a '96' take-off engine harness from a crate motor if you have trouble finding them. I just went thru many pages on PAT's info, did a search using PATs and Rwenzing's name, found a bunch and SVT has it pretty well nailed down with the requirements.
Dave

 

[RangerSVT]

One other thing I did forget, the cps you will have to get the 3 wire 96-98, the 99-01 uses a 2 wire ( the cps is the cam position sensor, which sits where the dizzy goes. You only need the sensor, not the syncronizer, which is the part that goes into the block)...

SVT

 

[dSINtia]

Thanks... I have planned for the motor mounts, oil sump, power steering, etc but this whole PATS thing has got me rattled. I have a line on a NOS 96 ECU for the 5.0 with 4R70W (AOD) and I've already scored a fuel rail off a 97 5.0 explorer. The engine and trans harness is proving to be a bear. I'm in Illinois and the temp is like 10 degrees right now so our outdoor junkyards are covered in snow. Is there a site where replacements can be purchased?

Also, will shifting over to a non-PATS ECU and harness also solve the VSS issue I've been expecting to deal with or is the benefit solely eliminating the anti-theft system?

I'm sure I'm going to run into a hundred more questions but I just don't have anyone local that has been down this road.

 

[dSINtia]

The oil pan bolts "might" work, depending on if your donor has the steel pan vs the aluminum one. I know I have a couple of '97' XDT2 computers I've had for 4-5 years as well as a '96' take-off engine harness from a crate motor if you have trouble finding them. I just went thru many pages on PAT's info, did a search using PATs and Rwenzing's name, found a bunch and SVT has it pretty well nailed down with the requirements.
Dave

I am interested in both actually... I have a line on an ECU but the wiring harness I know is going to be a bear for me. I'm from Dallas but in the military and now in Chicago... which happens to colder than a witches titty right now and the outdoor junk yards are a no-go! If I were home I would be good... I think!

 

[dSINtia]

Thanks SVT... I did read about the CPS. Part should be readily available...

Thank you guys for the info... I was starting to regret the decision to make the leap. Now I feel good about going home tonight - my ole lady would have eaten me alive!

 

[RangerSVT]

You will reuse your Speedo sensor that's in your dummy case, since your still running a cable operated Speedo...

SVT

 

[Mac]

Another word of caution, make sure the trans and ECU are of the same year or very similar. A '97' ECU is a no-go with a 99-2000 trans from what I remember. Someone else here ran into that problem. Best check.
Dave