I just dropped my 5.0 into my ranger only problem im having is that the plug from the power distribution to engine harness is to short??? should I have taken the whole harness from the fire wall of the explorer and used all of that instead of the ranger harness?
No easy answer and really only two options:
#1, Extend either the chassis harness or the engine harness to get the pair of 42 pin connectors close enough to connect up.
#2, Cut a complete 42 pin connector with as much extra wire as possible from a wreck in a breakers yard and build and extension between the chassis harness and engine harness -- has the added benefit of providing an easy area to tackle the handful of wiring differences between the two harnesses.
You make half as many slices, keep all the original wire sizes and color codes, but gain the added bulk of an additional 42 pin connector. Additionally, all the work can be done on a bench, not while stretched over the engine bay.
People can argue either way but uninsulated wire spices with adhesive lined shrink tubing is likely the easiest and fastest way to do the spices and still get very good corrosion protection. For what it's worth, you'll find similar joints in the OEM wiring.
If you do choose to solder the joints, I still highly recommend the adhesive lined shrink tubing, it really does a great job on the joints.