Retaining 1st gen dash (4.0 ohv swap)

[ronclark]

pictures are extremely helpfull! were those all from the cannon plug?

I thought i had a better photo of my adapter harness.
The 1 gens dont have a cannon plug per-say like the newer rigs, the harness goes thought the firewall and has a bunch of plugs at the end. Insted of the big white plug and sits in the firewall.

 

[Nordren]

I thought i had a better photo of my adapter harness.
The 1 gens dont have a cannon plug per-say like the newer rigs, the harness goes thought the firewall and has a bunch of plugs at the end. Insted of the big white plug and sits in the firewall.

Starting to mall make sense. Think I'll use the old harness for the plugs. How about color matching the wires? Should I just invest in a wiring diagram or what?

 

[ronclark]

Starting to mall make sense. Think I'll use the old harness for the plugs. How about color matching the wires? Should I just invest in a wiring diagram or what?

You need EVTMs from both years, i can send the ones i have for 87 ranger and 93 explorer if that helps at all

 

[SenorNoob]

I just wanted to say that IMO the location pictured above is the easiest to do all the wiring.

That pic show the 1st gen connectors but shouldn't there a BWP in there somewhere too? Or have I completely misunderstood the adapter?

 

[adsm08]

No, you are right. Ron said it was a bad picture of what he was trying to show.

Postin' from teh Galaxy

 

[ronclark]

I just wanted to say that IMO the location pictured above is the easiest to do all the wiring.

That pic show the 1st gen connectors but shouldn't there a BWP in there somewhere too? Or have I completely misunderstood the adapter?

BWP? whats that?

 

[SenorNoob]

Big White Plug. Also called the cannon connector I think. It replaced the smaller connectors at the firewall for the second gen.

 

[ronclark]

Big White Plug. Also called the cannon connector I think. It replaced the smaller connectors at the firewall for the second gen.

Ah, Yes the Big White Plug that started in the sec gen. I still have the flap that coves the wires so you cant even see my adapter harness. I think the cool part is everyone thinks that's the engine it came with it is so neat and clean.

 

[Hitchner2009]

This will most certaintly point you in the right direction. Seeing as nobody took the time and effort to write up and article on how to wire in the 4.0 with a Gen1 dash, i took the liberty of doing it myself.

Here is the article:
http://therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=150049

Message me if you have any questions, more than happy to help!

 

[AllanD]

When I did my 4.0 conversion in the summer of '07 I didn't swap dashes.

I also didn't make an "adapter".

What I did was to cut up both the 4.0 harness I used as a starting point,
and another 2.9 engine bay harness.

Those wires I could simply insert into the existing connectors I did.
Those I could not insert I spliced in together with the harness, and "hid" the mess
Between the inner fender and the windshield reservoir,

The one problem was running out ONE wielding to the instrument cluster
To make the CEL light work. That plus cutting the opening in the cluster's
Flex-circuit so that a bulb in it's socket could be installed was as tough as it got.

I didn't "write it up" because I was busy doing it.

My other adventure was retrofitting factory cruise control into my ranger with the 4.0.

That involved using the "brain" and all underdash bits from an '87-88, along with the cable and brackets from the '93 explorer, but the servo itself from my '88 bronco2

 

[onelif2live85]

This is an old thread bit does this mean everything in your dash works, oil temp volts etc? Mine was swapped when purchased and none of the above mentioned gauges work, the just installed aftermarket gauges. Also I have no idea if this is an obd1 or 2 would thar make a difference in trying to go back and retain the gauges function?

 

[adsm08]

Everything in my dash works, except for the cig lighter, and that's because I never found the original wires for it in the 89 harness, nor did I bother to put some back in. If I had found the 89 wires they should just plug into my socket.

There is one 9 ohm resistor wire from the ign switch to the cluster for those gauges. If it is missing, or was replaced with regular wire that will keep the gauges from working, or just cook them.

 

[Nordren]

I'm in the middle of my swap as we speak. Took me bout 5 hours total to get the old 2.9 out and I'd have to say someone did some messing around with the wiring before because it looked like a real mess with a poor wrapping job with electrical tape. I will probably be buying a book for the ranger (I believe there is a Haynes that covers both years in the same book) to finish up replacing all the correct sensors and plugs.

On a side note I have to admit I really hate the quick connect fuel lines ford made. Is there anyway to get them off without shelling out cash for a tool I will only use once??

P.s. You guys have been really helpful so far

 

[SenorNoob]

There is always another way, but the little plastic tools aren't expensive enough enough to warrant the time for most people.

You could, in theory work the garter spring loose with a few picks. Or really small screwdrivers.