Early Bronco Explorer 5.0 Swap & Serpentine Belt Conversion

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Why the Ford Explorer 5.0 Swap is One of the Best Upgrades for an Early Bronco

Factory EFI and Serpentine Belt Conversion in One Proven Package

Early Broncos were built around simple mechanical systems, but those designs show their limits once you start driving them harder or adding modern upgrades. The factory EFI and serpentine belt system found in Ford Explorer 5.0 engines address two of the biggest shortcomings at once. EFI (Electronic Fuel Injection) delivers consistent fueling, reliable cold starts, and smooth throttle response in conditions where carburetors often struggle, while a serpentine accessory drive tightens up the front of the engine, reduces belt noise, and frees up valuable space between the fan and radiator.

An Explorer 5.0 swap brings both of these advantages together in a single, factory-engineered package. Instead of piecing together aftermarket solutions, you’re upgrading an early Bronco to modern EFI drivability while also converting from V-belts to a compact serpentine system that fits the Bronco’s limited engine bay—especially important when running a larger radiator or air conditioning.

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Proven Reliability and Affordable Power

The Ford Explorer 5.0—found in 1996-2001 Explorers and Mountaineers—is based on the 302 Windsor small block, which makes it a natural direct bolt-in fit for early Broncos. The Explorer 5.0 mounts directly to the same motor mounts used by the stock Ford 289 or 302 small block found in first generation Broncos. Internally, it benefits from a factory roller camshaft and GT40 or GT40P cylinder heads, delivering strong torque and long-term durability without requiring internal engine modifications.

Because these engines were produced in large numbers, they’re still affordable and easy to source. Many donor engines show minimal wear, and replacement parts remain readily available. For builders, it’s a proven way to modernize performance while staying Ford-based from the block outward.

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Why EFI Makes Such a Big Difference in an Early Bronco

The Explorer 5.0’s factory EFI is one of the biggest quality-of-life upgrades you can add to a classic Bronco. EFI improves cold starts, hot restarts, and throttle response—areas where carbureted setups tend to struggle. It also handles elevation changes and load transitions more consistently, which matters whether you’re crawling around off-camber trails or driving from sea level up into the mountains.

For Broncos that see real use, EFI typically means less fiddling, less seasonal tuning, and more confidence every time you turn the key. It’s modern drivability without drifting away from Ford hardware.

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Space-Saving and Reliability Benefits of a Serpentine Belt Conversion

Early Broncos have very limited room between the fan and radiator, and that space gets even tighter when you install a larger radiator, add air conditioning, or rework the cooling system. One of the biggest advantages of the Explorer 5.0 swap is that it brings a factory serpentine accessory drive that tightens up the front of the engine and reduces the accessory clutter found in older V-belt systems.

By consolidating multiple V-belts into a single serpentine belt, the system cleans up belt routing and improves clearance where Early Broncos need it most. It also eliminates many of the common V-belt headaches—belt squeal, frequent re-tensioning, and belts walking out of alignment. A spring-tensioned serpentine system maintains proper tension automatically, runs quieter, and stays aligned under load whether you’re idling on the trail or cruising at highway speed.

In other words, an Explorer 5.0 swap doesn’t just modernize your engine and fuel system—it’s also a practical serpentine belt conversion from the factory V-belt setup, using OEM components designed to work together as a complete system.

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A Natural Fit for the 1966-77 Ford Bronco

The Explorer 5.0 is still a 302 at its core, sharing the same basic architecture as the original Bronco small block Ford. That’s why it fits so well in early Broncos without requiring full custom fabrication. Most swaps reuse the Explorer long block and front dress, then adapt supporting components to match the Bronco’s chassis, cooling, and drivetrain needs.

From real-world installs, the most common considerations are accessory spacing and pulley alignment, radiator hose routing, header clearance, wiring integration, and transmission compatibility. With the right combination of parts, the swap stays clean, serviceable, and reliable.

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What Typically Needs Attention in an Explorer 5.0 Swap

Even though the Explorer 5.0 brings EFI and the serpentine system with it, a proper swap still requires attention to the supporting components:

• Correct distributor gear selection for the factory roller cam
• Wiring harness and ECU integration - Grab all you can from the donor
• Accessory spacing and pulley alignment
• Fuel system upgrades for EFI operation
• Header and exhaust clearance
• Transmission compatibility and flexplate/flywheel selection

Addressing these areas correctly is essential for a proper Explorer 5.0 swap and long-term reliability in an Early Bronco.

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Explorer 5.0 Swap vs. Original Early Bronco Setup

Here’s how the Explorer 5.0 swap (including the factory serpentine belt conversion) compares to the original Early Bronco setup:

Category	Explorer 5.0 Benefit	What Changes
Fuel System	Factory mass-air EFI improves starts and drivability	Replaces carburetor tuning with consistent fueling
Accessory Drive	Single serpentine belt saves space and simplifies routing	Replaces multiple V-belts and front-end clutter
Noise & Maintenance	Spring tensioner maintains belt tension automatically	Reduces squeal, slip, and re-tensioning
Cooling Space	Tighter accessory layout helps fan-to-radiator clearance	More room for larger radiators, A/C, and upgrades
Compatibility	302 Windsor foundation fits early Bronco engine bays well	Accessory spacing, wiring, and drivetrain details matter

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An Explorer 5.0 swap is one of the most complete upgrades you can make to a 1966-77 Ford Bronco because it modernizes the engine and fuel system while also delivering a factory Early Bronco serpentine belt conversion from the original V-belt accessory drive. The result is smoother drivability, better reliability, and a cleaner front accessory layout that fits the tight Bronco engine bay far better—especially when you add a larger radiator or A/C.

If you’re sourcing parts for an Explorer 5.0 swap or converting your Bronco from V-belts to a serpentine system, WILD HORSES 4x4 stocks the mounts, brackets, pulleys, ignition components, fuel system parts, and drivetrain adapters needed to build it right and keep it serviceable for years to come.

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