Building a stable. Compatibility question.

[WarcrimeActual]

I have the chance to come by a 2005 single cab 3L Auto for a trade. My main truck is a 2004 supercab I believe is what it's called. It's got the two little jump seats in the back but no additional doors. My question is can I use the body panels and very importantly the hood as well as any interior parts in my truck even though mine is an extended and the donor would be a single cab. Rest I'll just sell.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Front fenders are the same 98-11. Same with the core support. Hoods are the same 01-11. Doors are similar 93-11 but I want to say the door latches moved slightly or something somewhere along the line. Front turn signal plugs changed somewhere like 05-07 so the lights are semi-interchangeable, I built an adapter to use the newer lights on my 00. Beds were the same 93-11, just the taillights and tailgate emblems changed. Not really a big deal. Some interior parts interchange, some don’t between regular cab and supercab, visually you should see what’s different and what isn’t. Seat tracks are different but the seats themselves interchange…

 

[WarcrimeActual]

Tons of great info. Thanks! So you're saying that I would have to maybe swap my seat hardware around? Or that the tracks are different but I can still just bolt the seats in.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Tons of great info. Thanks! So you're saying that I would have to maybe swap my seat hardware around? Or that the tracks are different but I can still just bolt the seats in.

You’re welcome.

Supercab seat tracks have more travel than regular cab, but the seats will bolt to either set of tracks. I want to say the actual tracks might mount slightly different but not certain. Just unbolt the seat tracks and swap.

You’re welcome to come out here some time to visit and see my fleet as well

 

[WarcrimeActual]

You’re welcome.

Supercab seat tracks have more travel than regular cab, but the seats will bolt to either set of tracks. I want to say the actual tracks might mount slightly different but not certain. Just unbolt the seat tracks and swap.

You’re welcome to come out here some time to visit and see my fleet as well

Are you somewhere close to Pittsburgh? If so, shoot me a private message and I’ll give you my number.

 

[JoshT]

Just wanted to clarify and question a few things posted.

Front fenders are the same 98-11. Same with the core support. Hoods are the same 01-11. Doors are similar 93-11 but I want to say the door latches moved slightly or something somewhere along the line. Front turn signal plugs changed somewhere like 05-07 so the lights are semi-interchangeable, I built an adapter to use the newer lights on my 00. Beds were the same 93-11, just the taillights and tailgate emblems changed. Not really a big deal. Some interior parts interchange, some don’t between regular cab and supercab, visually you should see what’s different and what isn’t. Seat tracks are different but the seats themselves interchange…

Clarification for future readers first.

The core supports are the same 98-11, that is the metal structure that the radiator and front end bolt to. Some people may not realize that there is an additional piece between the grill and core support called a header panel. The header panel changed over the years and is not interchangable. First was used from 1998-2000. Second was used from 2001-2003 (or what ever year the the headlights changed). Third was used from 2004 to 2011 when the grills got taller and the hoods had the raised section in the ceter of the front lip.

Hoods are not all the same 01-11. In fact 98-03 hoods are more the same than 01-11. There were two styles of 98-03 hoods, the flat metal hood and the bulged fiberglass (AKA Edge or powerdome") hood. The difference is probably obvious from what I called them. The flat hood came from the factory on all 98-2000 trucks, and 01-03 2wd coil spring trucks. The bulged hood came from the factory on the 2wd torsion bar "Edge" models and apparently all 01-03 4x4 models. When they facelifted the Ranger with a taller grill in 2004, they developed a new hood that was used on all 04-11 Rangers IIRC. That new hood was visually similar to the Edge/Powerdome hood, except that the front edge had a raised notch to clear the grill, the raised center section isn't quite as tall, and I want to say it was metal. While the hoods will physically swap bolt ing on, the 98-03 hoods wouldn't close on a 04+ due to the raised grill, and the 04+ hood would leave a large gap over the grill on a 98-03.

Lil_Blue is right on the lighting plugs changing through the years. In addition the headlights and front markers need to match the grill style. 98-00 headlights mount and are shaped a little different than 01+ trucks, and the turnsignal/marker lights are completely different. The 01-11 front light assemblies will physically interchange, but I can't say if the harness connectors, wiring, and bulbs are the same.

Interior pieces... Basically if it doesn;t touch the back seat area it should be interchangable. Door panels forward is a pretty safe bet, behind that would be pretty specific to the body style and # of doors. As said, it'll be pretty obvious what is interchangeable before you start.

Seat tracks are specific to the cab style, regular or extended. For the front seats it doesn't matter of the extended is 2 door or 4 door, but the rear has to match due to different mounting and positioning IIRC.

You’re welcome.

Supercab seat tracks have more travel than regular cab, but the seats will bolt to either set of tracks. I want to say the actual tracks might mount slightly different but not certain. Just unbolt the seat tracks and swap.

You’re welcome to come out here some time to visit and see my fleet as well

lil_Blue_Ford is correct about the body of the seat being the same, and seat tracks being mostly bolt in as long as you stay with the same cab style. Again, that is regular cab to regular cab, and extended cab to extended cab. There are a few additional things to note there on the extended cabs. Explorer seat tracks will bolt into an extended cab Ranger (want to say all years) but not a regular cab. I think that BII seats do the same on extended cabs, but I can't swear to it.

You aren't looking to swap seats into a regular cab, but this thread may come up in a search by someone who is. I'll note that some of the earlier 80s regular Rangers may have a different seat track bolt patern than later models. I haven't encountered it myself, but have seen listings that suggest a change in there somewhere. Then there is also the bench vs bucket (or split bench) differences on a regular cab, but the extra holes can be added relatively easily.

The question...

It was my understanding that somewhere after 98 the seat tracks were no longer bolt on. Can anyone confirm and/or clarify what year this happened?

That would be something to check on before buying seats for a swap. While the seat bodies are likely still the same if they changed to riveting or welding the tracks to the seat pan, that negates being able to easily swap tracks to match floor pan. Not a major issue of you are aware and equipped to deal with it, but would be a bummer if not.

 

[WarcrimeActual]

Just wanted to clarify and question a few things posted.



Clarification for future readers first.

The core supports are the same 98-11, that is the metal structure that the radiator and front end bolt to. Some people may not realize that there is an additional piece between the grill and core support called a header panel. The header panel changed over the years and is not interchangable. First was used from 1998-2000. Second was used from 2001-2003 (or what ever year the the headlights changed). Third was used from 2004 to 2011 when the grills got taller and the hoods had the raised section in the ceter of the front lip.

Hoods are not all the same 01-11. In fact 98-03 hoods are more the same than 01-11. There were two styles of 98-03 hoods, the flat metal hood and the bulged fiberglass (AKA Edge or powerdome") hood. The difference is probably obvious from what I called them. The flat hood came from the factory on all 98-2000 trucks, and 01-03 2wd coil spring trucks. The bulged hood came from the factory on the 2wd torsion bar "Edge" models and apparently all 01-03 4x4 models. When they facelifted the Ranger with a taller grill in 2004, they developed a new hood that was used on all 04-11 Rangers IIRC. That new hood was visually similar to the Edge/Powerdome hood, except that the front edge had a raised notch to clear the grill, the raised center section isn't quite as tall, and I want to say it was metal. While the hoods will physically swap bolt ing on, the 98-03 hoods wouldn't close on a 04+ due to the raised grill, and the 04+ hood would leave a large gap over the grill on a 98-03.

Lil_Blue is right on the lighting plugs changing through the years. In addition the headlights and front markers need to match the grill style. 98-00 headlights mount and are shaped a little different than 01+ trucks, and the turnsignal/marker lights are completely different. The 01-11 front light assemblies will physically interchange, but I can't say if the harness connectors, wiring, and bulbs are the same.

Interior pieces... Basically if it doesn;t touch the back seat area it should be interchangable. Door panels forward is a pretty safe bet, behind that would be pretty specific to the body style and # of doors. As said, it'll be pretty obvious what is interchangeable before you start.

Seat tracks are specific to the cab style, regular or extended. For the front seats it doesn't matter of the extended is 2 door or 4 door, but the rear has to match due to different mounting and positioning IIRC.


lil_Blue_Ford is correct about the body of the seat being the same, and seat tracks being mostly bolt in as long as you stay with the same cab style. Again, that is regular cab to regular cab, and extended cab to extended cab. There are a few additional things to note there on the extended cabs. Explorer seat tracks will bolt into an extended cab Ranger (want to say all years) but not a regular cab. I think that BII seats do the same on extended cabs, but I can't swear to it.

You aren't looking to swap seats into a regular cab, but this thread may come up in a search by someone who is. I'll note that some of the earlier 80s regular Rangers may have a different seat track bolt patern than later models. I haven't encountered it myself, but have seen listings that suggest a change in there somewhere. Then there is also the bench vs bucket (or split bench) differences on a regular cab, but the extra holes can be added relatively easily.

The question...

It was my understanding that somewhere after 98 the seat tracks were no longer bolt on. Can anyone confirm and/or clarify what year this happened?

That would be something to check on before buying seats for a swap. While the seat bodies are likely still the same if they changed to riveting or welding the tracks to the seat pan, that negates being able to easily swap tracks to match floor pan. Not a major issue of you are aware and equipped to deal with it, but would be a bummer if not.

Well I'm new to Rangers but I can verify one thing that you said. An '03 Hood will not fit on an '04. Thankfully I had my neighbor to help hold it up while I jimmied the latch.

 

[don4331]

There are minor differences between the '93 and '11 doors - mainly exactly how the interior panels clip in and how the mirrors bolt in.

The '93-'05 "rounded" mirrors are just annoyingly different from the later "square" ones. We massaged the holes/added washers to fit the 'wrong' mirrors in a door, but they weren't quite "factory fit". (We thought ti would look weird with one round and one square mirror).​

Tail lights are red/amber/white from '93 to '00; then just red/white from '01 to '11, unless it is Mazda* which kept the tri colour lights until the end ('08).

*I think the "'06 STX package" Ranger's with the semi-stepside Madza box had the tri colour lights too. (If they don't the STX package has unique tail lights as the "Mazda" box has different cutout.)​

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Just wanted to clarify and question a few things posted.



Clarification for future readers first.

The core supports are the same 98-11, that is the metal structure that the radiator and front end bolt to. Some people may not realize that there is an additional piece between the grill and core support called a header panel. The header panel changed over the years and is not interchangable. First was used from 1998-2000. Second was used from 2001-2003 (or what ever year the the headlights changed). Third was used from 2004 to 2011 when the grills got taller and the hoods had the raised section in the ceter of the front lip.

Hoods are not all the same 01-11. In fact 98-03 hoods are more the same than 01-11. There were two styles of 98-03 hoods, the flat metal hood and the bulged fiberglass (AKA Edge or powerdome") hood. The difference is probably obvious from what I called them. The flat hood came from the factory on all 98-2000 trucks, and 01-03 2wd coil spring trucks. The bulged hood came from the factory on the 2wd torsion bar "Edge" models and apparently all 01-03 4x4 models. When they facelifted the Ranger with a taller grill in 2004, they developed a new hood that was used on all 04-11 Rangers IIRC. That new hood was visually similar to the Edge/Powerdome hood, except that the front edge had a raised notch to clear the grill, the raised center section isn't quite as tall, and I want to say it was metal. While the hoods will physically swap bolt ing on, the 98-03 hoods wouldn't close on a 04+ due to the raised grill, and the 04+ hood would leave a large gap over the grill on a 98-03.

Lil_Blue is right on the lighting plugs changing through the years. In addition the headlights and front markers need to match the grill style. 98-00 headlights mount and are shaped a little different than 01+ trucks, and the turnsignal/marker lights are completely different. The 01-11 front light assemblies will physically interchange, but I can't say if the harness connectors, wiring, and bulbs are the same.

Interior pieces... Basically if it doesn;t touch the back seat area it should be interchangable. Door panels forward is a pretty safe bet, behind that would be pretty specific to the body style and # of doors. As said, it'll be pretty obvious what is interchangeable before you start.

Seat tracks are specific to the cab style, regular or extended. For the front seats it doesn't matter of the extended is 2 door or 4 door, but the rear has to match due to different mounting and positioning IIRC.


lil_Blue_Ford is correct about the body of the seat being the same, and seat tracks being mostly bolt in as long as you stay with the same cab style. Again, that is regular cab to regular cab, and extended cab to extended cab. There are a few additional things to note there on the extended cabs. Explorer seat tracks will bolt into an extended cab Ranger (want to say all years) but not a regular cab. I think that BII seats do the same on extended cabs, but I can't swear to it.

You aren't looking to swap seats into a regular cab, but this thread may come up in a search by someone who is. I'll note that some of the earlier 80s regular Rangers may have a different seat track bolt patern than later models. I haven't encountered it myself, but have seen listings that suggest a change in there somewhere. Then there is also the bench vs bucket (or split bench) differences on a regular cab, but the extra holes can be added relatively easily.

The question...

It was my understanding that somewhere after 98 the seat tracks were no longer bolt on. Can anyone confirm and/or clarify what year this happened?

That would be something to check on before buying seats for a swap. While the seat bodies are likely still the same if they changed to riveting or welding the tracks to the seat pan, that negates being able to easily swap tracks to match floor pan. Not a major issue of you are aware and equipped to deal with it, but would be a bummer if not.

That’s a good deeper look, and some corrections I wasn’t aware of.

The headlight plug stayed the same, but the turn signal plugs, the 98-00 has a pair on each side. The 01 has a single on each side, and somewhere around 04 the single plug changed style.

Now that you mention it, I do remember hearing something about welded seat brackets, that’s going to require some looking.

 

[scotts90ranger]

I remember reading about the side airbags being where the seats changed and got harder to swap.