1999 Ranger Engine Swap Questions

[Colin264]

Hey everyone,

Who has a TON of patience?

I have 2 Rangers right now, one with a 4.0 L V6 that I want to remove and replace with a 3.0 L V6 from my parts truck. What I would like to know is first off do I need to swap computers from truck to truck or can it simply be re programmed to the other engine to save hassle? More or less is each computer specific to each engine (displacement wise). Next the parts truck that I'm taking the 3 L from has the working keyless entry system, do I need the doors and such from that truck in order for it to work on the other? Do I need the ignition from the other truck or is it something that can be reprogrammed? Along with the ignition & the keyless entry there is a little red theft light in the trucks dash as a part of an alarm system, if I do need to use that ignition and install it to the other truck is it going to go crazy trying to find its original chip or will it still call a spade a spade and work with that trucks alarm system?

Just honestly are there any dire warnings? Am I trying to do the impossible here or can this be a plug and play deal with a few small head aches?

E-mail responses to colin_belyea@hotmail.com or just reply here

Thanks alot,
Colin

 

[adsm08]

Well, first things first. Don't double post stuff. We have a hard working staff that tried hard to keep things tidy and orderly around here, double posts make more work for them.


Second, want to clue us in as to what years we are working with? A lot of your questions could have drastically different answers based on the years of the trucks involved.


The easiest way to do this is to rob the engine, trans, and every last bit of wire out of the donor truck. You do have to take the trans and computer for the 3.0 along with it. It will solve the keyless entry, security, and a host of other potential questions.

And to head off the inevitable questions, yes you must use the 3.0 trans with the 3.0 engine, the bolt patterns and starter positions are different between 3.0 and 4.0, and no, converting a 2wd trans to a 4x4 trans is not as simple as just bolting an extension housing and transfer case on the back.

 

[Colin264]

My appolgize, im new here, its a '99 I was already planning on taking that tranny because this is the whole cause of the swap the 4L trans is cooked, its more or less the electronic end of things that I needed as much info as possible on, which you have helped alot thank you, just to be clear how ever, your saying the entire show, for the engines computer, keyless entry ect is all one box? im not looking for multiple computers? also what about the ignition system?

 

[adsm08]

You have one box to control the engine and trans. There are 3 other boxes you need for all of it. The instrument cluster is part of the security system, and there is another module that handles the security system. Those three are a programmed set. There is also a ring around the lock cylinder that is the antenna for the system.

There is another module near the radio that handles the keyless entry system.

If they are both 99s it would probably be easiest to just take the whole dash along for the ride.

 

[Colin264]

adsm08 you've been a huge help sir, I thank you greatly