2000 explorer to 98+ ranger swap

[jewblesmcclown]

So I don’t know if I can’t search correctly or if I’m seeing what I need and don’t realize it’s that simple. I have a 2000 5.0 explorer and I’m looking for a 98+ ranger to swap. My plan is to get the trans part of the ecm tuned so that I can use a manual. I’ve read the tech write up here 100 times and I’m not seeing what I need to know about wiring. That article plus what I’ve found online all mentions wiring modifications for the 1996-1997 explorer harness to fit a 98+ ranger but none touch on the 1998-2001 explorer harness needing modified to plug into the 98+ ranger. Is it as simple as plug and play or am I missing something? Thanks.

 

[RonD]

This article should apply to 2000 Explorer to 1998-2000 Rangers: https://www.therangerstation.com/tech/install-2000-ford-explorer-5-0-into-1998-ford-ranger/

2001-2003 Rangers would be a bit different, still analog so not much, speed signal change
2004 and up would be a lot of extra work because of the change to Digital Cluster

1998-2000 Ranger got speed signal from rear axle ABS sensor thru the GEM module which are not changed with the V8 swap, so no issues
Explorers used 4WABS module for speed

With switch to Manual trans software in the V8 PCM you could also delete PATS, which 2000 Explorer and 1999/2000 Ranger V6s had, you may still need to ground starter relay in engine fuse box

 

[fastpakr]

For what it's worth, on a 99 to 99 swap the only thing I had to do was replace the connector from the engine to body harness on one side (they're reversed between Ranger and Explorer) and move one wire in the cluster harness to make the tach work. I don't remember there being much different on a 2000 Explorer but the article Ron linked should have more info.