Hey guys. I am going to swap a V8 into my truck hopefully, and I have so many questions already. I did start a preemptive build thread but instead of littering it with more questions that progress and answers, I figure I would put it here instead. I took some pics so maybe you guys know how to help.

This thing was crashed and somewhat stripped when I got it so I dunno what it is all supposed to look like stock:

Ok this connector confused me:



but then I found this thing in the cab area:



It has a cable attached to it, could it be the cruise unit? I am not sure if thing has cruise or not. My Ranger does not, if the Explorer does how does that get dealt with?

Speaking of dealing with things:



Does all this get transferred over too?

This thing is sandwiched in the fender:





What is it and does it get transferred over?

The following are all things I don't know what the heck they are:



Dweano's guess: hood close sensor? It has a thing that goes down



Dweanos guess: Headlight stuff?



DG: is this that crash sensor thing that gets mounted on the core support?



WTF. Dweano's guess: Copper wire trapped in amber to be studied by future scientists

So that concludes the what are these section of the tour. Does it all get transferred over? Every electrical thing under the hood? Or just engine stuff or what? It all seems tied together.

So:



This looks like a bulky connector...tell me more please?

One last shameful question:



This is the PCM/ECU correct? I am a newb with this stuff. But I gotta learn sometime, thats what I have done with the other systems on this truck. Don't judge haha

 

Lots of questions with not a lot of answers from me haha. Good luck with the build. Look forward to seeing the final product.

 

I have got a few answers from TRS. I am more wondering what goes and what stays and what has to be moved over to the Ranger ya know?

 

Yeah I gotcha. A lot of the stuff is accessory junk but there is a couple very important do dads that need to come over. TRS has a couple great write ups on it. Be sure to check them out.

 

Yeah I am reading. I just gotta figure it all out. Obviously you will need to cut into the harness and remove stuff?

 

Or just not connect the parts of the pig tail.

 

So basically all the wiring gets swapped over (oh boy) but only certain things are essential? For example the hood ajar switch probably is something that could get left?

 

I believe so. Just depends how many bells and whistles you want after the swap.

 

Basically all this stuff doesn't even need transferring. Bonus! I read more and it is becoming more clear

 

For anyone reading this...basically all this crap doesn't need to get transferred. The computer connects to the engine (transfer it) and the "big bulky connector" connects the engine to the rest of the body and hooks up to the Ranger. So...its all good

 

The 42 pin engine connector?

 

yes

 

I have a 07 2wd I want to do this same conversion it is nice to see others that are doing the same thing or already have. I'm looking for a 1999-2001 Mercury Mountaineer V8 2WD for a donor.

 

07 might make that a little more difficult with the wiring. I want to say that an 07 you will be doing full custom gauges since its all computer fed. Depends on your electrical skill.

There is a guy who did the swap on an 04 but I have no idea how he made it all work

 

Very true but if I had the whole donor couldn't I swap out that also?

 

I dont think they are shaped the same. Anything can be made to work but I am a little out of my league on this one. My 98 swap was a bolt in

 

True I haven't seen anyone that has done a swap on this new of a truck.

 

Hey do it up and take lots of notes and pictures