2.3L ('02-'11) Ranger to mazda 2.3L engine swap

[claya]

2000 Ranger. Is the Mazda 2.3L plug compatible with the Ford 2.3L? We just got a mazda engine and are getting ready to put it in. Will I need to swap the wire harness and other wiring?

 

[RustyShackleford94]

A Mazda 2300 and a 2.3 ranger are identical trucks minus some cosmetic differences. Assuming you pulled it from a 2000 mazda with the same auto or manual trans, yes itll be the same.

 

[Dirtman]

A Mazda 2300 and a 2.3 ranger are identical trucks minus some cosmetic differences. Assuming you pulled it from a 2000 mazda with the same auto or manual trans, yes itll be the same.

Yes, no, sorta.

In 2000 neither the Ford Ranger nor Mazda B series had a 2.3 engine, they had a 2.5. In 2001 they had a 2.3 but it was a totally different engine than the previous 2.3/2.5 so not one thing will fit or match. But otherwise yes, given the Mazda truck and Ranger are the same year the engines are interchangeable.

 

[RustyShackleford94]

Listen to him . I wasn’t sure when they gave up on the 2.5 and was too lazy to google.

 

[scotts90ranger]

Yeah, it's complicated...

Any Ranger or Mazda 2.3L or 2.5L from 1995 through mid 2001 (like dirtman said, if it's an '01 with a 2.3L, it's a completely different engine) will bolt right in and work. I think '95 is a mid year thing too but I don't remember, I pretty much ignored the third gens until recently...

 

[claya]

2000 Ranger. Is the Mazda 2.3L plug compatible with the Ford 2.3L? We just got a mazda engine and are getting ready to put it in. Will I need to swap the wire harness and other wiring?

Success. Started right up. Thanks for everyone's help on this.

One last question. There is a random pink/Blue wire lug with an in-line fuse, part of the AC wire harness. I cannot figure out where it attached. Some have suggested the Battery Junction box, but I see no screw to attach the lug to in there. Based on the comments, it is a 12V always connection for the WOT relay. Pretty sure it was NOT connected to the battery + terminal. See the attached: