Dash Swap Question
 

I have an '03 B2300 XL 2WD standard cab. When I got it the doors and fenders were dinged up fairly well, so I looked around for replacements. Fortunately I found an '01 XLT extended cab 2WD donor truck this summer in really good condition. The problem was it had power doors, so it wasn't plug and play. However, I was also able to get the dash from it (it was in better shape as well). Fast forward to now, I have the doors on and my dash pulled to see what all is different. I know some of the wiring is a little different but am stumped on 2 grey connectors on the donor dash. They're on the passenger side behind the air bag. One is a 26-pin connector with 8 wires and the other is a 22-pin with 9 wires. These don't exist on my truck's dash nor is there a place to connect them in my truck. The wiring for the connectors looks like an add-on harness, not part of the main harness. So I'm hoping it's just something my truck doesn't have and I don't need them. I know there's a how-to for adding the power door wiring, but think this may be easier. Any assistance you can provide is greatly appreciated.

Pic of the connectors:

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.ran...122f31d3ae.jpg

Those two connectors are for the "Central Security Module" according to my copy of the 2003 Ranger wiring diagrams. I believe they have to do with the power lock fob system, as some of the wires are for the door locks, lock relays, horn, etc. Since your donor truck had power options, that is why it has this harness with these connectors.

Thanks for the reply! By reading online it doesn’t sound like something I have to get, as I don’t have the key fobs or keypad. I may ask the guy with the donor truck if he still has the CSM just to be safe. As long as I can lock & unlock the doors from inside the cab, or with the door lock (with key) I’m ok.

You will probably need them, if its for the GEM(generic electronic module)
You will need wipers
And nice to have dome light

See if these wire colors match up

GEM was located behind the radio in a 2003 Ranger

Thanks for the wiring diagrams! I’ll double check them, but I definitely have the GEM still installed on the donor dash. I at least knew I needed it so I was sure to grab it…


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.ran...b7b4bcafe.jpeg

They are in the wrong spot for the GEM. His connectors are at the the top of the dash above the airbag on the far right side, not between the airbag and the radio where the GEM is. I verified the connectors in the factory 2003 wiring diagrams straight from Ford based upon his pin count and number of slots in each connector. The only thing that the Central Security Module controls is in relation to the power door locks like the locks themselves, the key fob input, and the horn. However, upon looking at my diagrams, the way the horn is wired and the circuits that control the horn differ between power and non-power equipment wiring harnesses. So if he runs the donor truck harness, he may end up without a working horn.

OP, you will need to carefully study the diagrams to see if the donor harness will even work with your application.

Thank you for the input! Do you know where I can get all the wiring diagrams online? I've searched and haven't had any luck.

I looked over the attached wiring diagrams, and it looks to me the power window signals from the GEM go to the PW system (and bypass the CSM). I'll trace the power lock & horn wiring on the harness itself to make sure they get signals somehow beside the CSM. If I do need a CSM I can find one at the JY (or worst case buy a new one). I don't need it programmed since I don't have key fobs (I guess I could get key fobs as well and have it all work). I'd need to make sure the wiring is in the truck though. So I'll go over the GEM wiring to make sure it's all in-place.

This is what I have. There may be nicer options on Ebay for a little more money. This one was just the cheapest I saw on a quick glance. These books are REALLY easy to read, and pretty easy to follow along with. It's one of the most useful books you can buy for your truck.

2003 Ford Ranger Wiring Diagram Manual Original by Ford | eBay

Awesome, thanks for the link! I ordered one and know it’ll be very helpful

Sweet! I first used it when I did my manual transmission swap, and it has come in handy numerous other times as well when diagnosing strange electrical issues I have had, or when adding aftermarket accessories. I've also used it many times to help people like yourself identify certain mystery connectors or wires here on the forum.

I’m sure it’ll come in real handy. It’ll be a week before I gets here, so I’m tempted to slave in the donor dash just to see what, if anything, doesn’t work.