hey guys,

im new to the forum but have been creeping for awhile. i just picked up my 9th ranger yesterday (04, 2wd, reg cab v6) and will be starting my 302 swap fairly soon. i am a prototype fabricator by trade and will be building everything my self along the way. I will also be running a ar5 transmission with a custom adapter for this build, that means that a new trans option will be available for the 2wd guys in the near future. ill be starting a build thread in very soon aw well. i look forward to getting to know everyone and hopefully bringing some new product to the market!

 

Welcome to the forum

9 Rangers, I have only had 4, and one at a time, lol.

AR5 is the Aisin AR5?

Its only rated for 260ft/lb torque

I do see the Chevy guys have been using them for LS1 builds through, so must hold up

 

haha i currently have 2 rangers, a 96, 2wd 5 speed, extended cab that i DD and the 04 that i just bought..

if you do a quick search, a friends of mine owns a company called "fabbot" he is engineering and building ls to aisin ar5 adapter kits. he just put down 883whp on the dyno over the weekend. another one of my friends used one oh his kits in his 400whp drift car all last season with no problems. i will be the guinea pig for his sbf adapter kit. this should be a solid option for the sbf rwd community since the t5 is garbage and there is very little aftermarket support for other trans options. my biggest concern currently is the lack of info on 5.0 swap in 04 and up rangers. i may opt to run a megasquirt and aim dash right away to get around these problems.

 

Thats good news about the AR5

The problem with the 2004-2011 Rangers is that Ford switched them to HEC instrument clusters in 2004 and Smart Junction Box(SJB) as the body computer

The SJB is not really a big problem, the HEC(hybrid electronic cluster) is because it is "married" to the factory engine computer(PCM) and won't work without it.
HEC also has the PATS(passive anti-theft system) inside

1995-2003 Rangers used analog cluster and GEM(generic electronic module) as body computer, which didn't mind engine swaps

You will have to swap out the cluster, as most of the gauges are digital and get readings from PCM

The 2003 and earlier cluster will fit, need to do some wiring changes of course

Explorer 5.0l PCM with PATS and auto trans software deleted would work
If you get an Explorer 5.0l donor vehicle you get most of the parts needed for this type of swap

 

i appreciate all this great info ron! do you know of any members that have cracked the 04+ PCM? in the GM world that most of my friends live in, any pcm related problems like anti-theft can be turned off or tuned out. it seems like this is going to be a bit more difficult.

 

Ford had an issue with everyone and their brothers rolling back odometers on their analog clusters, lol

So they switched to the HEC clusters and the PCMs that also store the miles, then they added RSA encryption to both so only they can "talk" with each other, that is the "married" bit, SecuriLock makes PATS and they have always used RSA.
If you unplug the cluster on a 2004 or up Ranger the engine will not start, PCM is locked, if you plug in a new cluster, engine will not start, PCM is locked
If you put in a new PCM, engine will not start, HEC won't allow starter,motor activation and won't work.

Ford dealers can replace either by "remarrying" them but...............Ford dealer can't reset odometers on HEC, they have to order a new HEC from Ford with odometer miles from PCM, Ford program odometer then sends it to Dealer so they can remarry then new HEC to PCM

Yes, there is software to delete PATS, and it has worked fine for years, but it is hit and miss with the Ford HEC clusters, on the PCMs it is not an issue, PATS can be deleted, but for some reason fuel is still disabled, if HEC is still hooked up
There should be a newer software that will work at some point..................but will it be there for your swap?

As cool as the HEC clusters are you may want to get an older cluster for the V8 swap

Have a read here: https://www.ranger-forums.com/genera...e-tune-157331/

2007 Ranger trying to delete PATS

 

Welcome, nine Ranger... nice, me I'm at four.

 

well it seems like i will most likely be buying my 10th ranger soon! the 04 i just bought was supposed to have a bad engine, in reality it had bad plugs and wires as well as a coil that was only half plugged in causing an intermittent spark loss. seems like a shame to tear a part a good truck so ill most likely sell this one and try to find a clean 99-03 5 speed rwd chassis. the hunt is on!