3.0 Auto -->> 3.0 manual ECU

[Sean4818]

I'm doing a automatic to manual transmission swap on my 1998 Ford Ranger 3.0 auto 2WD. While doing my research about automatic to manual transmission swaps, ive come across the fact that the engine runs different for automatics than manuals. I was wondering what ECU I could use to make the swap work properly and what years were interchangeable as far as 3.0 manual 2WD ECUs.

 

[Dirtman]

Only 1996-1998 3.0 manual trans ecu will work. 2wd or 4x4 shouldn't matter, the 4x4 system is in the GEM module. You cannot use 1999+ because they will have PATS security, and earlier than 1996 is a completely different ECU system. There are ECU tuner places that can delete the auto trans portion of your current ECU though. I don't know them off hand cause I've never done it personally but I know people here have done it.

 

[stmitch]

The same tuners that can delete the Auto trans functions in the current PCM can also delete PATS, which would open up a whole lot more years for you and tends to work better than deleting the auto trans stuff from what I'm told.

 

[Dirtman]

99-03 will have PATS but as you said it can be deleted. 2004+ is a totally different animal and not useable no matter what. However something in my thinking brain is telling me there are other differences besides just the PATS system between the 96-98 and 99-03 ECU.