Which first: Explorer 5.0 or NV3550?

[Ed74]

I was just given an awesome gift from my fiance. What a terrific woman! She will either pay for all the additional parts to get my Explorer 5.0 up and running (ie. RJM harness, BCB fuel tank etc.) or a NV3550. Currently, my Bronco is my only driver (personal choice). Therefore, time is of essence. Which project should I tackle first? My 302 is still running strong, although I cannot stop the oil pan leak for the life of me.

Thanks,
Ed

 

[73stallion]

NV3550, git-r-done!!!!!!!!

 

[t.lay]

NV3550, git-r-done!!!!!!!!

x2 - the oil leak - your EB's just marking territory ;D

 

[Ed74]

LOL! Thanks Ben......

It seems, from the great write up Tito is doing, the explorer swap will be quite and undertaking. I really want good driveability while I am working on the explorer. Any more thoughts?

Thanks,
Ed

 

[Ed74]

I was thinking about purchasing the NV3550 from "mantrans" on ebay and the kit from Adventerous. What do you guys think?

 

[73stallion]

whatever you can afford ed. do they offer a warranty? looks like man-trans wants a core charge, but they do offer the conversion kit for us. they don't say how much on either though.

i'm partial to ordering that from tom's if you have the cash. they really helped me out when mine went out, i got a brand new one for free. their customer service is awesome!

 

[broncnaz]

X3 the tranny is harder to come by plus being a DD a tranny swap is easier than a whole different engine swap.

 

[Ed74]

Good question Ben. Since this is a gift, I do not want to max the cost out. However, you have a really good point regarding warranty. Mantrans, on ebay, only offers a 30 day warranty. Warranty and customer service are extremely important. Especially, since I read your thread

 

[sprdv1]

Another vote for the NV3550....

 

[Tito]

Do the tranny first...no not that kind of tranny :-X (My name is Galaxia what's yours? - name that movie ;D )

I'd do the 3550 first, you will get more bang for your buck with it and it can be done in a weekend unless you find other issues. Depending on if you are still at 3.50 gears you arent going to get all you want out of the trans for now but it is a nice step forward. Give me a couple more weeks and hopefully the explorer swap will be a little easier on everyone, it is a bit of an undertaking using the explorer. ;D Now if you got your hands on a full mustang setup to go with the explorer then you are in biz and wont have any of the issues I am dealing with and can do the swap in a weekend (barring unforseens as well). I know bronko69er did his without ever having it down, its his only transportation besides his leggins. My prob is I am trying to recycle as much explorer stuff as I can.

 

[Ed74]

Awesome info! Thanks Tito for your great write-up. I am leaning more towards the NV3550 at this moment.

 

[Viperwolf1]

Get the tranny. If you get started on the 5.0 you'll quickly learn that there's no bottom to the barrel and then your fiance will eventually get pissed about all the parts you find you'll need to get it done.

 

[Ed74]

Lol! Very true. I will go with the tranny. Now the question is where to buy it from? do I go with mantrans on ebay with a 30 day warranty or with one of the vendors?

 

[FSRBIKER]

Another vote for the trans, it's on the top of my wish list along with Chuck's soft top.

 

[Skiddy]

go for the trans, but since your not married yet can I be her husband ;D
I would get it from Toms you seen how good they treated Ben

 

[DonsBolt]

Ed what size tires, and what gears do you have???

I did the NV3550 it took a solid day with a friend helping, but we forgot spmething, and had to take it all apart once. So I am sure we could have done it quicker if we were totally sober. hehe

You will want another person helping, as these thigs can sometime get heavy.


I have been putting of Fuel Injection, just for the reasons you and others have mentioned. The trans is a lot easier job, at least time wise.

With my 35 tires, 456 gears, the NV 3550 really helped the way it drives, and fuel millage jusmped quite a bit in the right direction

 

[Ed74]

Thanks for the info Donsbolt. Currently, I am running stock suspension, 30x9.50 tires, 4.10s. I love the acceleration from stop, however I am running high rpms on the freeway. I don't have a tach but it sounds pretty loud.

Later, I will have 31x10.50, 2.5" lift, 1" body, uncut, w/ 4.10s. What do you think?

 

[DonsBolt]

Thanks for the info Donsbolt. Currently, I am running stock suspension, 30x9.50 tires, 4.10s. I love the acceleration from stop, however I am running high rpms on the freeway. I don't have a tach but it sounds pretty loud.

Later, I will have 31x10.50, 2.5" lift, 1" body, uncut, w/ 4.10s. What do you think?

It wil sure help you on the Freeway, or as we say here Highways. Also it is geared a little lower in forst, so when you go with the 31's you won't loose anything off the line.

I used to over 3000 rpms just to do 60 mph, now at 3000 rpms I am doing 76 mph on my gps

 

[Ed74]

Thanks for the compliment Skiddy. She is a wonderful woman....but for some funny reason in love with me

I will get the NV3550, but the question is where from. WH says their trans are new as well. I figure shipping will be cheaper than from Toms. However, Oregon has no state tax. I wonder if this applies to out-of-state purchases?

Should I not purchase the NV3550 from mantrans? What is the cheapest vendor alternative?

 

[Tito]

If you buy from Toms you dont pay sales tax, if you buy from WH you (may) not pay shipping, I think the trannies are all drop shipped most likely from AA (I know the kits are) or wherever they come from (I think it is all the same just pick your vendor). I like to buy from the vendors when I can but their prices are kinda high on the kits I think. If you separate it out and buy the tranny from manstranz or whatever and the kit from Randy ~ Adventurous you can save some bucks but might not be worth the trouble, all depends on what you want to deal with.