95 5.0 expo-ranger build thread

[RangerSVT]

The vss in the trans tailhousing must be installed and connecte , and connected to the vehicle in order for the speedo to operate. I don't remember what year your donor was, if it was a 98, you'll have wiring issues...

SVT

 

[5ohRanger]

97 explorer. GT40 motor so it was early 97 model.

 

[RangerSVT]

Did you do any wiring mods?

SVT

 

[5ohRanger]

Only thing I did was swap over the starter harness and alt harness from the X and repinned the tach

 

[RangerSVT]

Check the vss, could be a faulty unit. Try swapping your original in...

SVT

 

[5ohRanger]

Ok I'll check that. I'm gonna take it for a spin on Monday and make sure it's not working first.

 

[5ohRanger]

Update!

Speedo does work... Odometer is yet to be determined....

I figured out my charging problem! I cut the X harness apart and chased down the circuit and located the fuse associated with the circuit and did some continuity tests and tested voltage to find absolutely nothing wrong... So I thought there was a break in the wire going from the 12 pin connector over to the alternator since the truck side of the harness had power but none to the alt. Then I just happed to notice something wrong! The truck 12 pin connector was pinned different than the X alt wiring harness so I repinned the connector and BAM she started charging!!!
The explorer 12 pin is on the right and the ranger on the left. These are the vehicle side connectors. The green with red stripe wire is the "exciter" wire to make the alt charge.

In this pic the X connector is on the left.


Also wired up my cooling fans and temporarily stabbed the keyed hot wire for the fan controller into the dist box. I'll find a better hot to splice and connect to the ac pump hot wire once I get it out of the body shop.

Body man said 2 weeks until it's finished so as of now there not a lot I'll be doing to it until I get it out. Then I'll take it and have exhaust put on it and start working on the interior. I have a set of heated leather EB seats for it. Gotta try to find a console for it since I'm doing bucket seats.
Thanks SVT for all the help and knowledge and for all else who helped get this truck to where it's at!

 

[RangerSVT]

Glad you got it going, congrats on the finish product...

SVT

 

[5ohRanger]

So I ordered smoked LED tail lights and third brake light and smoked headlight/corner markers for the Ranger today! Bought the EP27 turn signal relay last night to work with the LED lights so I don't get a hyper flash.
Body man HAS n fact been working on my truck! He's supposed to have it done by the 14th so I called and set up an appointment to have a windshield installed on the 14th to use for leverage and to put a little fire under his britches!
Gotta figure out my dead windshield wiper situation. Hopefully I'll get those going today.
I'll post progress pics as the body work advances!

 

[5ohRanger]

For anyone doing a swap like I did (X steering column swap more specific) I had trouble with my turn signals and flashers not working. The right turn signal would work but the left turn was dead and wouldn't do nothing. The hazards would light the right turn indicator up and the front/rear turn signal bulbs but would not flash or do nothing with the left side. After checking grounds and circuits for hours I swapped in the old multi function switch and wiring harness off the original ranger steering column and all is well now! I never had a problem out of the multifunction switch in the X so i didn't think it could have been the problem while trouble shooting yesterday but turns out the X wiring harnesses (multifunction switch harness) had 2 extra wires in it so I guess it was wired differently than the ranger even though it plugged into the ranger harness.

 

[5ohRanger]

Figured out my wipers not working! It was fuse #20 which was wipers/gem system. I replaced that fuse the other day but I must have had the wiper motor unplugged or the relays out cause I found it blown and I replaced it and the wipers still didn't work so I didn't think nothing of it cause it was for the radio. The PO was a hack job so instead of going to Walmart and buying a radio wiring harnesses adapter, he skinned back the coating on each and every single wire and then wrapped his stereo wire around the corresponding wire and scotch ( yes I said scotch) taped it. So I have bare wires that need addressed and that's the reason fuse #20 keeps blowing

 

[5ohRanger]

Update! Got some body work done today! I sanded the door jams and doors and grill and the underside of the hood and the body man got some primer put down on multiple spots! So I called and rescheduled my windshield for next Monday that way the paint can dry good over the weekend before he puts it in. I also ordered some SEM paint for my interior! Since I have 3 different colors of trim parts I have been wanting black interior so I'm gonna just dive right in and see what happens lol! If I can figure out a way to dye my tan leather EB seats black!

 

[5ohRanger]

Finally starting to see some blue paint fly!!






Going over tomorrow to mount the fenders and doors and wet sand and then it's gonna get painted on Wednesday! This has been a long time coming!!

 

[5ohRanger]

Well I still have a long way to go but here is a couple pics for the time being. I found a cheap set of 99 GT wheels on CL to get me by since I hated to be seen in it with the 14" wheels on it plus the original tires were toast. Also had to order some 1.5" spacers so I can mount my front center caps plus it REALLY needs some more width in the front. Taking it to get the exhaust put on it tomorrow. Then she's gonna be out killing bugs on Saturday!!! I took it for a spin today and found out that traction is a huge issue with the open 8.8....... I'm glad!!! It will completely annihilate the tire thru 2nd gear just taking off! Let off after about 150ft and it was no where near done smoking the tire.... I'm happy!

Gonna lose the front chrome bumper for a painted one with fogs when funds become available.


Yes, I know the grill is purple. *facepalm* the body man had my paint so long and he didn't mix it good enough until there was only 1/10 left in the bottom then he painted my grill after mixing it real good. So my rear bumper is gonna be purple also lol I'll redo those soon enough.

 

[RangerSVT]

What color is that blue, its looking good...

SVT