Picked up some Friction additive tmw and rear end is great! You can defintely feel the difference in the 8.8. it feels way more solid. plus its hella heavier so its better for the suspension. Engine is done. minus the alternator, fan/clutch, belt.

I need bolt size help again.

Length of Trans to block bolts. 7/16" x ??
Starter bolts ??
Alternator bolts ??

 

ok so i know hasnt been much progress. I did get the transmission all cleaned up and painted. looks great. Ill snap some pics when i get home. other than that I have everything I need to do the swap.. well except a engine hoist big enough. Im just gonna rent one of those.

Still need to figure out the small wiring that has to be spliced for the starter harness!

 

pics of trans. sorry to anyone who is anxious (if any) def done this month!




Really gotta set aside a weekend to get the hoist rented and also line up an exhaust shop.. I really dont want to drive it with open headers but then ill have to tow it, which i dont have a trailer... do know alot of people tho lol well see

 

very nice! all your stuff looks brand new!

 

thanks man. thats a compliment coming from you lol it was kinda the point actually not only to look brand new but to make install alot easier and God forbid there is an issue it will be easier to find ya know lol

 

I thought you were going manual shift ?

 

Bling!

Nice progress.

 

Intially i was. but then its just much more parts and possible issued with trans mounting etc.. plus i have been shifting for 9 years and im over it.

 

Ya, wish you were closer maybe I could have bought the parts.
I still like to shift and like the sound of the 5.0L with manual so that is the way I hope to go.

Things seem to be coming together, only time now.

ltr

 

I hear ya. ive been living in palm beach county for 7 of the 9 years ive had my truck so with traffic etc im def over. the manual does sound sick but just wasnt enough pro's for me to stay with it lol.

SO as it sits im Planning on the weekend of the 22nd and 23rd. that gives me next weekend off to relax and get everything situated for the swap.

ANYONE LOCAL OR FROM WHEREVER, is more than welcome to come over that sat to help out or just hang out i really dont care. ill prolly have cooler full of cold drinks and plenty of food on the grill.

 

damn it man i was really hoping you were going to go though with the 5 speed. i really wanted to see that.


sry but now your truck is just another 5.0 swap to me

 

So be it and too bad I am ssooo far away in Mass.

A good feed and some truck talk would be great.

luck with the project.

 

You still need an engine hoist? I have one, just need to check the ram and make sure its still good.. I can drop it off either this monday or tuesday after 3 sometime, or after the 19th if you need it.

 

i have ahoist. problem is th eone i have isnt big enough lol. i need one for big 4x4s. theres a rental place around here im gonn apick up one that is big enought that it has a hitch to tow lol Thanks anyway man!

 

yeah I had a hell of a time getting my 3.0 out with the largest standard one you can get. Then to put my 5.0 in we pulled the body haha

 

^ thats what im talkin about. My truck is wayyy to tall. Im going to be takin off the front tires and putting it on stands to give a little more room too.

 

Lookin good so far!

Few comments from experience:
Definitely install and torque the headers before dropping the engine in. I installed them in-truck the first time, and it was a huge PITA.
The only problems with installing them first is that, at least in my non-body lifted truck, i had to pull the heater/ac box to drop it in. Also, the damn motor mounts are annoying. I set the motor in and go the plates to sit down on the studs. Then lifted the motor back up a half inch or so and started the nuts on the studs, and lowered the motor back down.
TIP: use a tap and die to clean up the motor mount studs and nuts till they finger on easily. Will make your life much better.

Also, the ranger style alternator can be used with a little modification. I have a 200a powermaster alt, and really didnt want to have to buy another. I still have stock valve covers, so i just got out the BFH and massaged the front corner just enough for clearance of the alt. Then I used a piece of 3/16 flat stock to modify the mount: Drilled out the rear hole of the ex mount, welded a stud through the flat stock, and put a nut on the bottom of the mount. Used the stock alt bolts, the two front ones in their stock holes, and the rear one tapped into the flat stock.

 

thanks man for the input. luckily headers are already installed and i'm body lifted. also got the explorer alternator just so i make everything match up!

 

Do you think that the steering shaft will clear the Torque Monsters on a Ranger with a 3" body lift. I've been wondering if that wouldn't be a problem at tube #7.

 

I'm actually away from my truck currently, but from what i remember, thats gonna be really tight. The headers were specifically designed for the steering shaft to be in the stock location, and there's not a whole lot of clearance. I seem to remember someone installing a set on a sploader with a BL and having issues, I'll try to find that.

EDIT:
Yah, you're gonna have some issues with the steering. Here is a pic of the steering on a sploader with the 3" BL. Borrowed from 410Fortune on ExplorerForum.com


And his solution: "You can also see the 3" body lift causes the steering shafts to hit right at the TM Header. I plan to physically move the trucks steering wheel down 1" under the dash, I also plan to modify both shafts (from wheel and from box) to help clear the header."

"and finally I made myself a new steering shaft boot and plate assembly for the firewall, to keep the hot air, water, and noise out of the passenger cabin.
this sucker was tricky, took me a couple of tries but the end result is great. Steering shaft BARELY clears the headers, but it clears:" Pic and quote from 410Fortune again

 

Chris (mudslanger) had no issues at all with his steering so im confused why this just coming up.. we have identical trucks too. all he had to do was swap a smaller bolt on th extension and he was good to go.

 

not to mention your pics that you post or whoevers it is. is obvioulsy not running an extension either.

 

Hey, if you know it works, thats great. We were just trying to warn you of potential problems.

Interestingly, it looks like the TMH design has changed between the pics i posted to the ones you did, to accommodate a body lift.

BTW, if thats your pic, you might wanna reroute the spark plug wires away from the back of the header tube there. Ive burned through quite a few of em at this point, mostly through those heat shields.

 

Naw man i appriciate the input. Not my pic. thats Mudslanger (chris's) whos truck is just like mine.

 

Heres the next project. Starter/ Charging harness and how its integrated.




hope to have them labeled soon.