Ranger 97-2000 cabs

[HalfMazda]

Hey, I own a 2000 ranger that I rolled a few months ago. I'm looking for a cab and found a screaming deal on a 97' in great condition. However, I know that ford changed the truck significantly including widening the wheel bases after 97 and was wondering if the 97 cab is something that I would be able to make fit or if I should keep looking.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

They might have lengthened it but I don't think they widened it.

93-12 beds interchange, if they widened the cab that wouldn't work. And they probably would have changed the interior too.

 

[stmitch]

Regular cabs were lengthened starting in 98, so cabs from before 98 won't work. Extended cabs never changed.

 

[chvlfrk]

Well>>>

The 97 back cabs can be made to fit with a little modification to the rear frame section bein moved forward by removin the 16 rivets in the cross member that goes across the fuel tank area. I measured a 98 frame to put a 95 cab on so I would get the independent from suspension, but sold the chassis before I started the project.

BUT, I believe the PCM is in a different location on the 97 back than the 98 ups.

GLWP!!!

 

[don4331]

Reader's digest version: Keep looking.

Glutton for punishment version:

The good news - the '97 cab bolts right up to the '00 frame!

If it is supercab, skip next section:
The not so good news - as the '00 cab was 3.5" longer, this leaves a gap between the cab and box. As chvlfrk said, you can separate the rear frame and shorten truck to remove the gap. Note: rear driveshaft also needs to be shortened by the same 3.5".

Alternatively, you could get cute and just put in a spacer, and no one would be wiser.

Resume for all cabs:
The bad news - the '00 has PATS, so without the dash from your rolled cab and then mixing the '97 wiring for lighting/etc with the '00 wiring for engine, the truck won't start/lights won't work. The silver lining is: The '00 dash will bolt right in in place of the '97 dash, so it is just a wiring exercise. However, without EV&T manuals for both '97 and '00, it would be a challenge.