My new project - 03 Ranger 5.0 Swap

[97Ranger3.0]

Had some other projects to wrap up before I could start the teardown of the Mountaineer, so it took me a little while to catch up before I could start. But I went from 0 to 100 real quick once I got started stripping it.

Man, this car is really paying for itself!

Still a work in progress but I got the full length center console from it fitted into the truck. I also found a NOS matching lid on ebay. I stripped all of the rear HVAC components from it which saved quite a bit of weight, this thing was heavier than I expected!

Ok so, I have a few questions I'm hoping someone on here will be able to help me with. My plan is to retain as many OEM features as possible, and I plan on using the steering column, PATS module & keys from the Mountaineer for the swap. I found this module (I believe ford calls it the RAP module?) in the rear of the Mountaineer. I'm assuming this is for the key fob/remote? So my questions are -

Did Rangers ever come with key fobs? My 03 has power locks and all that but didn't come with a fob. Is it possible it was supposed to have a remote originally, and if so does it also have one of these modules?
And if not, would it be possible to wire this module in without a ton of fuss so I can use the Mountaineer's fob?
And lastly, are there any keyless entry antennas inside the car I would need to grab as well? I didn't see any inside the doors or anything and don't see any mentioned in the wiring diagrams. I don't know how keyless entry worked back in 2000 but all the newer cars I work on at work have antennas for that all around the car.

 

[rubydist]

Rangers were available with remote entry in 03, so your may have that even though you didn't get a remote when you purchased it.

iirc, they are under the dash in the Ranger. also iirc, the module has a little antenna wire hanging off it - is there a short wire in that connector harness that just ends less than a foot from the connector?

 

[97Ranger3.0]

Rangers were available with remote entry in 03, so your may have that even though you didn't get a remote when you purchased it.

iirc, they are under the dash in the Ranger. also iirc, the module has a little antenna wire hanging off it - is there a short wire in that connector harness that just ends less than a foot from the connector?

You are correct, I ended up looking in the ford wiring diagram manual and it shows the "central security module" which is above the passenger airbag. I checked my Ranger and it does have the module there. The wiring diagram says this module handles remote controls. I don't know if that confirms whether or not the truck would have had a remote or not though, as it looked like it also controlled the anti theft system if i understood it correctly.

However, I didn't see an antenna wire near the module as you described in the Mountaineer, unless I misunderstood and you were referring to the Ranger in that part.

Do you know if the CSM in the 03 Ranger would be compatible with the older style PATS parts from the 00 Mountaineer? I would think probably not and that I will have to wire in the "remote anti-theft personality" module from the Mountaineer to retain the remote entry?

 

[rubydist]

Most of the 98-03 systems used the same model of remote, so there is a good chance you can make the remote work on the Ranger.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

While I continue the search for a donor Exploder I've been tackling some of the cosmetic stuff. Got the bushwacker bed rail caps on, and installed a toolbox I found for pretty cheap. View attachment 137292

The truck had some minor front end damage which I knew when I bought it - I wasn't too concerned at the time since I knew I wanted to change the grille & bumper anyway. The right side fender was pushed in causing the grille to stick out on the side. View attachment 137293

With the bumper off it turned out to be a little deeper than that as the core support was actually pushed in a little bit! Not a huge deal though, I straightened it out with a porta-power and now everything fits better. I wasn't able to get pics of that though as I was running out of daylight.
View attachment 137294

I replaced the header panel and installed a used Edge grille - which I think looks way better - and some new headlights. I was originally considering getting a powerdome hood as well, but now that I have the edge grille installed I think it looks good with the 2wd aluminum hood. It'll probably be better to save some weight keeping the aluminum hood anyway. Still working out a front bumper.
View attachment 137295

And I converted to 06+ mirrors, still retaining the power functions too which was pretty simple.

View attachment 137296

Same headlights and grill I did to my green Ranger! Nice!

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Also, I don’t know if this would work for your swap, but with mine I was reluctant to change to the Explorer keys and swapping modules and stuff, so I just threw the Explorer computer in and hooked up my laptop with Forscan when I was ready to try firing it for the first time. Forscan brought up a notice that there was an issue and asked if I replaced a component of the security system and what one, I selected ECM and it did its thing. All my Ranger keys and fobs now work.

 

[97Ranger3.0]

Also, I don’t know if this would work for your swap, but with mine I was reluctant to change to the Explorer keys and swapping modules and stuff, so I just threw the Explorer computer in and hooked up my laptop with Forscan when I was ready to try firing it for the first time. Forscan brought up a notice that there was an issue and asked if I replaced a component of the security system and what one, I selected ECM and it did its thing. All my Ranger keys and fobs now work.

What year is the truck you did the swap on? Mine has the type E PATS being an 03 vs the Mountaineer’s type B PATS. I’m wondering if I would be able to do that same thing with two different systems