The plan right now is to put a 2001 Ranger 4.0 SOHC into my 1997. I've been looking through the EVTM and service manuals for both vehicles pondering the electrical issues. I know that most everything under the hood will need to change for the new engine and I am also going to take the opportunity to customize the harness in the rest of the truck. I would like to use the older modules for this...as in pre-2000 or so GEM, remote/alarm module, etc. On the 2001 there is a data network that all of the various modules are connected to which is not present in the earlier years. There is also a different set of modules for the years. My question is this: If everything elsewhere in the truck is wired correctly, should it matter to the PCM that it is basically the only 2001 computer/module on the truck? I have looked over the PCM connector pinout and I don't see any connections to the rest of the truck that will be a problem for what I am doing. In fact, even though the service manual implies the PCM shares the same bus as the other modules, the connector on the PCM shows no such connection. It looks to me to be fairly independent. Any thoughts?

 

What about the PATS system?

 

Seems as easy as a 5.0 swap!

 

Crap...

I'd rather not have PATS on there, but you're right...its integrated with the PCM. Ok, so how do I get around this? First thing I think of is taking a peek at what is sent on those two lines during a successful key interrogation and then fake it with a PIC or something similar. Or I could always just put the module in there with the key glued onto the antenna and stuff it somewhere...but that would be a pretty ugly solution. Can a dealership do anything to help me? How much money would I be looking at spending to have the locks all changed so I could just use the PATS key instead? Like I said, I'd really rather not have PATS on there, but I want the engine more than I don't want PATS.

 

Ok, yea, ignore all of that. After thinking about it I am going to make use of PATS...esp since it looks like 2001 PATS keys can be cut for my existing locks/ignition. Problem solved.

 

You will also need the transceiver module to make PATS work. Then you would need to go to the dealer or a locksmith to have the module programmed to accept the keys ($100?).

 

From what I understand I can program the new keys myself if I have two keys that are already programmed...

 

Absolutely. BUT you have to do it by turning the key to the start position. I don't think you can do that if you're using the keys that were cut to fit the ignition lock in the donor truck.

Unless, of course, you swapped out the ignition switch from the donor, too.

But then it wouldn't match the door locks. So you'd have to swap them also or carry two different keys.

https://www.ranger-forums.com/forum2...ead.php?t=4829

 

But the PATS module only knows there is a PATS key nearby, not that it is the particular key in the ignition. I can use my original non-PATS key to turn the ignition to on and hold up the donor truck PATS keys near the transceiver for it to read them.

 

That should work if you can get it close enough - good idea. I don't have any idea what the maximum range is for communication between the transponder and transceiver. If distance became a problem, you should be able to get close enough with the column trim removed.

 

Cool. I was figuring on just holding the PATS key in the same hand I was turning the non-PATS key with or something similar. Either way, it shouldn't be too difficult. Thanks for the info.