Hello there I have a 2009 Ford Ranger XLT 2.3 and was wondering with the Pats system I have inside of the vehicle will I be having problems when I swap the engine with a 5.3 LS and a turbo 400 or will the truck be able to start up without any problems I’ve read some forums saying that I will need a computer to delete tune the (PATS) system but I’m still very confused on this process!

 

2004, and 2006 to 2011 have PATS in the instrument cluster(HEC), 2005 Ranger didn't have PATS at all

In these years the HEC, hybrid electronic cluster, is "married" to the PCM(computer) so they are a matched set, one will not work without the other, even if you delete PATS you can't use the cluster

So you will need to pull out that cluster and get a pre-2004 cluster, an analog cluster

Other issue is the SJB, smart junction box, in the passenger side kick panel, this is the Body Computer, you should be OK with this, but not sure, it runs all the cab electrics, wipers, door locks, keyless entry, power windows, ect.......

You will be swapping in different computer and wiring harness so you will need to be splicing into existing body wiring
Best bet is to get a 2009 Ranger EVTM, electrical vacuum troubleshooting manual, look on ebay, Ford sends these out for every model every year to dealers so there are plenty out there, they cover all wiring, all engines and all options for that model and that year

There is also some extra stuff like AC, it used PCM, and speedometer signal, also used PCM, there are work arounds when you get that far.

 

That’s really helpful I’m thankful for people like you will be posting more when the swap begins if I have some questions!

 

If you are swapping in an LS engine and PCM, it's not going to run until you delete the VATS system in the LS PCM. Once you do that, the LS PCM will start and run the truck if you wire up everything correctly. Most LS swaps use either a brand new standalone LS harness, or a reworked factory harness that's been converted to a more simple standalone design. I'm a big advocate of the new harness.

Once the PCM is VATS deleted, the standalone LS harness is wired up, and the engine is installed, you should have a vehicle that starts. How the PCM talks to the instrument cluster is a whole other situation. Much like Ford uses CAN or SCP networks for their various modules to talk to each other, GM uses their own Class 2 serial or CAN networks to do the same thing in their vehicles. Older vehicles had standard instrument clusters that required individual gauges to be individually wired to sensors in the vehicle. Modern vehicles have most inputs sent to the PCM, and PCM just shares those sensor readings with the instrument cluster over the network. This reduces excess wiring and redundant sensors in the vehicle.

Companies like Dakota Digital specialize in making gauges that are compatible with the factory computer, and are often the only way you're going to get the instrument cluster to work with that GM PCM. Because it's serial data and not just analog voltages, two different manufacturers are likely not going to have any compatibility with their gauges.

Some other things like A/C controls will be able to be converted into a mixture of the original truck and the LS engine harness, because they use generic relays to turn components on/off.

If you need it when the time comes, I can turn off the VATS anti-theft system in your LS computer. I do both Ford and GM custom tuning. Your PCM will not enable the fuel injectors without it.