What is the difference between? No Ranting in this post please just lets try to answer the question. I left the other post for the guys to get in a pissing contest over K&N and a stock unit.....let try to stick to the topic on this one please.

98-00 and a 01-03 Aftermarket Cold Air Intake for a 3.0L Motor?

Basically are they interchangeable? And if not what does it take to make a 01-03 cold air intake work on a 98-00? Please help ...I thought all the 3.0L's intake delivery systems were the same from 98-present!

http://www.ssd4u.com/streetsmart_019.htm This website shows two different part numbers but what is the difference and are they interchangeable?

 

I'm not sure if this is the reason but it could be. The mass airflow sensor changed from 2000 to 2001. The earlier one has a separate intake air temp sensor that I believe fits in the intake tube. The later version has the MAF and IAT sensors together in the MAF body. So there may need to be a hole in the tube of the aftermarket kit to accommodate the IAT in the 2000-back. The kit for the later Ranger may not have it. Like I said, just a guess.

 

Here's what I could find.

Wiki says that the upper intake was changed in 2001 to plastic. Obviously take anything on Wiki with a grain of salt, but most times it's pretty close to accurate.

From what I can tell though it doesn't say that they 98-00 version is different. Guess someone who has modded a 3.0 should chime in to know better.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Vulcan_engine#3.0

EDIT: I like Bob's answer a lot better. Haha...

 

How about un-modded?

I'd be happy to e-mail you a photo of a 2000 3.0 stock intake tube (installed) with the IAT clearly located. If that'll help?

Never mind. You need a photo of a 2001+.

 

Here's an idea....find people with a 00 and older 3.0, and find someone with a 01 and later 3.0L....and compare pics!

 

I offered, but it'll look just like under his own hood!


I'm wondering if the MAF attachment remained the same, since we KNOW the 2001+ got a different MAF, with the IAT enclosed in the MAF.


It may be as simple as drill and grommet a hole in the 2001+ aftermarket intake to mount the IAT. Frankly, I don't understand the issue. They offer one for your year, buy that one. If you already bought the wrong year, return it for the right one. If you're looking at one on flea-bay and want it even though it's for a newer year, you'll take your chances that it won't fit the MAF, plus you have to drill a hole.

 

The Question is because my Future brother in law purchased one for his 4.0L 2003 Ranger and in came with a "buy one get one free" the free one happens to be for a 02-03 3.0L but mine is a 2000 so I was gonna buy it off him to save him and I some money!

Sounds like I need to look at the system try to install it and figure out the issues as I go! Didn't know about the mass-air-flow change in those years so If all I have to do is drill a hole that will be easy!!! I knew this would be a much more constructive way of getting answers by not allowing any ranting..lol Thankyouy for all of your input! Very much appreicated!
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the sensor is different on the 00 and back. heres what mine looks like, 01+ has plastic surrounding the sensor wires.