1990 ranger 5.0 swap wiring harness question

[SLG]

hi im doin a v8 swap on a 1990 ranger

i pulled the complete engine and cab wiring harness out of a 1996 mercury mountaineer 5.0 2wd (ecm and trans comp also)

i was gonna pull the motor but its 170,000 miles and i dont want rebuild it which it could need, but
i found wrecked 1998 and 1999 ford explorer 5.0 2wd's with about 120,000 was wondering if they would plug in and work with my wiring and computers, or if that is to new and i need 96-97 motor for my 96 wiring

 

[dSINtia]

I'm midway through a very similar project (88 B2 with a 2000 2WD Explorer 5.0 converted to a 96-98 5.0 by changing to a 97 trans, 96 harnesses, 96 synchro and cps, and 98 fuel rail and injectors) and I've pretty much concluded that the 96-98 Explorer 5.0's are completely compatible. Hope that helps...

 

[Mac]

Your thinking is right. Just need to move the wiring, sensors and fuel rails depending on which system you want, from the '96' to one of the others.
Dave

 

[SLG]

alright cool, i got the 98 motor and trans, got the 2.9 out of the 1990 ranger, got to change out a few parts on the motor i got, and gonna drop it in tomorrow, then hopefully i can hook everything up and put the wiring in