The 96 Explorer has the GT40 heads (same as a Cobra), not the P's. The P's showed up in late 97/98. The short block is the basically the same - someone needs to post on what kind of pistons the Explorers had. The accessory package is completely different, and the throttle linkage/t.b. orientation and tps are different. Also ecu is different. If you want to bolt all your external stuff on that block/heads/intake - it'll go right on.