Project Merc....

[Stang5lgt]

Since I see there is new build area I figured I would share my latest project.
Being the Ford guy(God help me). I wanted a 5.0, I wanted more room then a XJ, I wanted more comfort and luxury. Lastly I wanted a frame. So I bought a loaded 98 Mercury Mountaineer on 1/18/11. With plans on swapping in HP30 from a XJ. Paid $1500 for the truck with 121k miles. I leather and fully loaded.

Pretty familiar with most of the parts of this vehicle. 302 same as my Mustangs have. 4R70W is a AOD on steroids with 2.84 first gear. Rear axle is 31 spline 8.8 with disc brakes same one used for Jeep swaps.

Ordered some parts for it.

First mod was Cherry bomb Vortex Exhaust can't have 5.0 at my house that doesn't sound like one should.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jU81A7Dfdxk

 

[Stang5lgt]

Truck sat for 2 weeks on my flatbed while I brainstormed. Then I flipped the rear axle since they spring under I made spring over pretty simple upgrage.

Made my own anti wraps...

 

[Stang5lgt]

It sat for almost another week and half cause of Weather and I was busy I did build the 30 and gear in during that time though, and find more parts. Then on Feb 11th I started the cutting bye bye IFS...

 

[Stang5lgt]

Build some long arms for it and made frame mounts and added 1st gen Explorer coil buckets.

 

[Stang5lgt]

Then I got slowed down for week. Cause I hit a speed bump. The oil filter needed to be moved to make room for a Ranger steering box...

Finally the block adapter came from Summit.

 

[Stang5lgt]

Finally Yesterday I got the TB and steering all hooked. Got the Ranger Steering box working. Got the power steering pump hooked up and working. Just have button up the shocks and regear the rear. My Detroit will be here Tues can't wait! I couldn't resist I put 35s on(borrowed from the TJ).

 

[in4aride]

such an old man ride! lol sunroof too huh? you are killin me. gonna be pretty sweet tho :thumbup:

 

[Stang5lgt]

such an old man ride! lol sunroof too huh? you are killin me. gonna be pretty sweet tho :thumbup:

Not only sunroof but premium Ford sound system have 7 speaks. Two tweeters, 4 mid range, and one 8 inch sub in the back. Sounds awesome for stock. LOL And the kids have there own radio in the rear seat with head phone jacks. Rear has it's own climate controls. And I think there is room for XJ in rear hatch just in case I have rescue one off the trail.


I just got the front track bar bolt replaced with one that is long enough and I put Jim's old WJ shocks in the front for now. They work great. Took it down the street and did couple 3 point turns. Steering works awesome. Bad part is no rear shocks so it bounces like one of those low riders with hydraulics. Those rear leafs are 10 inches longer then a XJ leafs so the ride is nice. Going to start the rear shocks after I eat couple more donuts.

 

[Stang5lgt]

Shocks all hooked up. Took it down the road everything is working great! This week I will be regearing the rear to 4.88s and swapping in manual shift BW4406. This AWD crap sucks.

 

[xj-grin]

looks good josh! and I hear ya on the AWD... significant progress on the NP231 swap for the WJ today to get rid of mine.

 

[Stang5lgt]

looks good josh! and I hear ya on the AWD... significant progress on the NP231 swap for the WJ today to get rid of mine.

Thanks! Well at least your AWD has a low range. There is no low range on this thing at all. LOL I hoping for a shake down run next weekend.

 

[xj-grin]

I've been hoping that for several weekends... Jim came by on his way home from Ram today though, and said his WJ did fine!

 

[Stang5lgt]

Good deal.

Test drive vid.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-pmLuTj7Xo

 

[.40CalPatriot]

is it just me or are the coils bowing in?

 

[xj-grin]

meh, mine bow out with the JK axle, in a bit won't hurt anything.

 

[Elguapo]

man, I wish I could wrench on my own crap like that/ sweet.

 

[Stang5lgt]

meh, mine bow out with the JK axle, in a bit won't hurt anything.

Amen brother amen.
It will look better when I finish the retainer on top too.

 

[Stang5lgt]

man, I wish I could wrench on my own crap like that/ sweet.

Thanks man. Turned out better then I hoped.

 

[old_man]

I have an Exploder with the 5.0L. It has been the most reliable engine you could ever ask for. I have 250k+ miles on it and it runs as good as the day it was new. A good percentage of those miles were doing heavy towing (7000lb).

 

[Stang5lgt]

I have an Exploder with the 5.0L. It has been the most reliable engine you could ever ask for. I have 250k+ miles on it and it runs as good as the day it was new. A good percentage of those miles were doing heavy towing (7000lb).

Yeah they are great motors once Ford went to roller cam in the 80s pretty much made them one of the most reliable Ford engines ever. My Mustang 5.0 has taken a real beating over the years had a blower on it for couple years never quit and still going strong.