Manual swap questions.

[the_beanmachine]

Im currently doing a manual swap on my 98 4.0 4x4 ranger. The parts truck i bought is a 99, I was wondering if id have any issues by swapping souly the engine/trans harness or if id be better off swapping the whole ecu. I asked the same question over on reddit and some guy mentioned swapping the ecu then shorting out a couple pins in the ecu but never mentioned which pins. Any help is appreciated!

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Nightmare years for PCM swap IIRC... believe there is a PATS issue with them as well. I have no idea.

@fastpakr might know more from his v8 swap... I think his was around the same years.

 

[fastpakr]

Mine was a 99. As long as they’re the same generation it shouldn’t be a big deal. Just transfer the PCM and PATS module from the donor, then use Forscan to import your current Ranger keys to the donor PCM.

This is from memory, so I may be forgetting something.

 

[RobbieD]

This is from memory, so I may be forgetting something.

Healthy brains erase memories of traumatic experiences.

 

[fastpakr]

Healthy brains erase memories of traumatic experiences.

You have no idea how much I’d love to erase certain memories that seem to be indelible.

 

[the_beanmachine]

Mine was a 99. As long as they’re the same generation it shouldn’t be a big deal. Just transfer the PCM and PATS module from the donor, then use Forscan to import your current Ranger keys to the donor PCM.

This is from memory, so I may be forgetting something.

Im only swapping the trans and case do i still need to import the key to the pcm?

 

[fastpakr]

Im only swapping the trans and case do i still need to import the key to the pcm?

You should use the computer from the donor vehicle. Because of that, bring over the module with it and then import your keys.

 

[don4331]

Im only swapping the trans and case do i still need to import the key to the pcm?

It is a bit of a PIA if you want the truck to look/act stock.

The correct way to do it:

Swap the PATS module from behind the passenger's airbag as it is married to the PCM.​

Swap the PCM in the engine compartment to get the correct one for manual transmission.​

Swap the transmission wiring harness to the one for the manual.​

Swap the tumbler in the steering column (to keep the '99 keys which match the PCM/PATS modules)​

Swap the locks in the doors. (optional - so you only need the '99 keys.​

I forgot:​

Pull the clutch interlock jumper and plug in the clutch pedal switch.​

​

You can do it without the PATS/PCM/tumbler change, but then you have a check engine light all the time.

You can to it without the tumbler change if you tape the '99 key to the tumbler..

 

[fastpakr]

It is a bit of a PIA if you want the truck to look/act stock.

The correct way to do it:

Swap the PATS module from behind the passenger's airbag as it is married to the PCM.​

Swap the PCM in the engine compartment to get the correct one for manual transmission.​

Swap the transmission wiring harness to the one for the manual.​

Swap the tumbler in the steering column (to keep the '99 keys which match the PCM/PATS modules)​

Swap the locks in the doors. (optional - so you only need the '99 keys.​

​

You can do it without the PATS/PCM/tumbler change, but then you have a check engine light all the time.

You can to it without the tumbler change if you tape the '99 key to the tumbler..

If you use forscan, you can keep your locks and keys. Just clear out the existing keys in the module and then add the correct ones .

 

[the_beanmachine]

If you use forscan, you can keep your locks and keys. Just clear out the existing keys in the module and then add the correct ones .

Whats a forscan and how would I go about doing that?

 

[don4331]

Whats a forscan and how would I go about doing that?

Forscan is an program which allows you to modify things in the ECU - e.g. re-program keys or change tire size. It works with the ODB2 port (either a wired or wireless adapter to your computer (usually a laptop)

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

HP Tuners will let you do it as well. Or just yeet PATS in general. Its a *lot* (10x) more money tho..

 

[the_beanmachine]

Forscan is an program which allows you to modify things in the ECU - e.g. re-program keys or change tire size. It works with the ODB2 port (either a wired or wireless adapter to your computer (usually a laptop)

Would it still run and drive normally if I kept my PATS module and just swapped the ecu and wire harness?

 

[fastpakr]

I’m honestly not sure - my vague memory is that the computer is paired to the pats module.

You can try without swapping it, but at least grab the module from the donor just in case.