Help! I'm new! I dunno what to do!

[StoutSpeed]

Hey y'all,
I'm in college, studying engineering and welding. Daily driving my '06 xlt longbed, auto-tragic, 2wd. Use it to pull chicks and boats mostly! Slapped 31x10.50 BFG's on 15" pacers underneath it, and spent wayyy to much time and money building a custom sub box to replace the flip-down center console on my 60/40 bench seat. 1500W memphis amp and huge sundown 10" with kenwood components rear and doors, android head unit. Joined because I'm manual swapping in the near future and definitely need guidance and research material! This forum is awesome, thanks for having me!

 

[MikeG]

Impressive you can drag that with a 3.Slow. What axle gears do you have?

 

[RonD]

Welcome to TRS

I would rethink that swap

Properly rebuilt automatic would be much better swap

Or sell your Ranger and buy one with manual transmission

Nothing wrong with the 5R44E automatics if properly rebuilt, not just a soft parts swap out, good for another 300k miles
Ford used these for 26 years, so for sure no major defects, lol

To swap in a manual you will need to do some rewiring, and try to get computer reprogrammed for manual and still match the HEC cluster(digital dash), these are a "matched set" one won't work without the other, they are "paired" at the factory when installed
This started in 2004 and up Rangers to prevent cluster swaps to lower miles on odometer
Ford can "re-pair" them but getting dealer involved is not a great option, I have read Forscan software can do this but have my doubts
So you can't just swap in a manual computer

The actual wrench work to do the swap is not that hard
You need an M5OD-R1 manual transmission from a 3.0l 2WD 2001 to 2008(last year of 3.0l)
Has to be from a 3.0l because bellhousing is not detachable, and 2001-2008 because it needs the OSS sensor
And 2WD for correct tail shaft
Not sure about drive shaft length on this swap but long bed manual trans may be harder to find if it is different

You need the clutch/brake pedal assembly, and master cylinder
The steering column swap is optional but getting rid of the column shifter would make it "look " better, lol

 

[Snoranger]

Is this your only vehicle?

If so, my best advice is wait until you graduate.

 

[StoutSpeed]

Impressive you can drag that with a 3.Slow. What axle gears do you have?

3.73! actually pulls amazingly well, pulls my jon boat, 16 ft fiberglass bass boat, and pulled somewhere around 3000-3500 lbs. clear across VA in a 6x12 enclosed trailer when i moved into my apartment.

 

[Dirtman]

 

[Dirtman]

Ok... so clearly that was suppose to be my welcome gif of ralph.

 

[StoutSpeed]

Welcome to TRS

I would rethink that swap

Properly rebuilt automatic would be much better swap

Or sell your Ranger and buy one with manual transmission

Nothing wrong with the 5R44E automatics if properly rebuilt, not just a soft parts swap out, good for another 300k miles
Ford used these for 26 years, so for sure no major defects, lol

To swap in a manual you will need to do some rewiring, and try to get computer reprogrammed for manual and still match the HEC cluster(digital dash), these are a "matched set" one won't work without the other, they are "paired" at the factory when installed
This started in 2004 and up Rangers to prevent cluster swaps to lower miles on odometer
Ford can "re-pair" them but getting dealer involved is not a great option, I have read Forscan software can do this but have my doubts
So you can't just swap in a manual computer

The actual wrench work to do the swap is not that hard
You need an M5OD-R1 manual transmission from a 3.0l 2WD 2001 to 2008(last year of 3.0l)
Has to be from a 3.0l because bellhousing is not detachable, and 2001-2008 because it needs the OSS sensor
And 2WD for correct tail shaft
Not sure about drive shaft length on this swap but long bed manual trans may be harder to find if it is different

You need the clutch/brake pedal assembly, and master cylinder
The steering column swap is optional but getting rid of the column shifter would make it "look " better, lol

So I have done a bit of research and thinking on all that! There is an 03 longbed 3.0 5 speed at a junkyard close to me with everything I would need to swap, the only thing I have any reservation/ concerns about is the wiring/ computer and PATS stuff, but everything I've read says you can make it work with the auto computer. I have seen limited stuff on Forscan for all that but I can't imagine it would be too difficult to get a ford dealer to flash my computer for the manual if I had the harness and everything else right. Just taking my time to think through it and hopefully do it right. I just don't want the auto anymore and don't want to sell/trade the truck.

 

[StoutSpeed]

Is this your only vehicle?

If so, my best advice is wait until you graduate.

Pretty much, probably doing it this summer, semester ends at the end of April and I'll have plenty of time then.

 

[Dirtman]

2003 doesn't have the digital instrument cluster so the computer is not interchangeable with a 2004 no matter what. You can ONLY use a 2004-2008 ECU/Cluster. The simplest option would be to find a tuner who can delete the automatic portion of your current ECU. Otherwise you are fighting an uphill battle of trying to fight with the PATS system, the matched cluster, and wiring nightmare. It's just not worth it when you can just send your current ECU somewhere and have it switched to manual.

 

[StoutSpeed]

2003 doesn't have the digital instrument cluster so the computer is not interchangeable with a 2004 no matter what. You can ONLY use a 2004-2008 ECU/Cluster. The simplest option would be to find a tuner who can delete the automatic portion of your current ECU. Otherwise you are fighting an uphill battle of trying to fight with the PATS system, the matched cluster, and wiring nightmare. It's just not worth it when you can just send your current ECU somewhere and have it switched to manual.

Thats what I would want to do with it I'm just not sure where exactly to send it to have that done! I would rather keep the stock computer and cluster and all. Pretty low miles/nice truck and the less hacking/ switching things out I could do the better.

 

[Dirtman]

Start by searching for custom tune/speed shops in your area. There's always at least one in every town. There are places where you could send it out but a local place would be much safer and easier to deal with.