I understand. In any case 99% of people would not notice the difference. They would be side tracked by the rest of the stuff done to your truck.

 

The welds are strong with good penetration and it's not much of an appearance issue because they're out of sight under the truck. I just need to practice more so that I'm satisfied with how the welds look. I'd like to be able to do decent welds on the stuff that does show.

 

If you're using a spool gun to weld the stainless, I understand. Those things are rather unwieldy to try and get a pretty weld.

 

yeah it just takes time. took me a while before i liked what i did. i still somtimes hate my welds, but then again i have always been somewhat of a perfectionist

 

i hate your welds too Andy. Ohh, and your creepy van.

 

Would be nice to have someone TIG weld the stainless up for you but they are harder to come by. We have some awesome guys at my work that can work wonders with a TIG on stainless and aluminum...I mean some serious professional grade welds. Too bad you can't send me some of the parts and let me get them done for you.

 

This is what Ford calls the "Message Center" which, IMO, is not the best name they could have chosen for a trip computer and systems monitor. It fits directly into the full length Explorer center console that I recently added. I had originally planned to finish up the engine swap first and save this for a separate project. However, so much of the dash is disassembled now that I'm considering wiring it concurrently with the V8 wiring changes.

I used some flashlight batteries to power up the guts on the kitchen table and see what it's all about. User input is via a row of buttons and it uses a small dot matrix screen to display fuel level info, distance to empty, instantaneous and average fuel economy and other depressing things. There is a systems status monitor that reports stuff like low washer fluid, high coolant temp, low fuel level, low charging system level, oil life warning, etc. The display dims with the headlights and there is a metric option. A diagnostic mode is also available for troubleshooting.

 

sweet Bob!

 

Very nice, too bad those were'nt installed on the Rangers from the factory.

 

Sounds like you're going to be tapping into several different circuits, is that correct?

Since you don't have a lot of things going on right now with your Ranger (j/k Bob ), is there any possibility that you could take notes and/or pics for a possible future "How-To" on the message center install?

 

I don't know if this can be done with a factory Ranger PCM. The wire for the fuel flowrate output is not present in the harness and I question whether the PCM even has the capability of outputing it. Even if it does output a value, does it need to be calibrated correctly for the Explorer Message Center?

I didn't get around to investigating any of that, mostly because the Message Center wouldn't fit with the stock Ranger floor shifters in the way. If you want to try it, the first step would be to determine if the fuel flowrate output even exists at PCM pin 43. Beyond that, most of the monitored circuits are present in the Ranger or can be added. I can help with schematics and other info.

 

I totally spaced on the 4.0L/5.0L PCM differences. Thinking about it now, it would appear that the Explorer PCM has a lot more functions than a Ranger PCM, notwithstanding any differences in engine control.

I'm wondering, what would happen if the Message Center fuel flow rate circuit was simply left open? Would that mess up the rest of the features?

If I ever come across a Message Center on the cheap during one of my junkyard runs, I might go for it. Thanks for the offer to help out with the install.

 

Obviously, the MPG and DTE functions would not work. I think the system monitors would still function though. Possible error message for the missing input but I don't know for sure.

 

So if you had the 4.0 you could as a possibility run the Explorer PCM and have the message center?

 

A PCM from an Explorer 4.0L SOHC might work on a Ranger w/SOHC. Any differences in engine control between the two are probably small and could be addressed with a tuner, if necessary. The key would be whether the pins common to both are located at the same place in the harness connectors.

 

Awesome thread Bob. Very much enjoying it!
Meh he he.. That's great.

FWIW, check out the 'scangauge II' via google. Does much of the same via the OBDII port under the driver's left knee. I now have one in both my daily driver and truckzilla. The 'miles to empty' is shockingly accurate. 'Miles per gallon' is shockingly depressing, especially 'round town!

This device will work w/ any OBDII car, including all Rangers model year '96 or newer.

Doesn't fit w/ Bob's "Ford OEM or bust" policy.. but for the rest of you.

I'm currently scheming ways to integrate my gauge into my dash..

 

LOL

 

ha nice, seen those a few times at the j-yard looking for center consoles, always wondered how they looked lit up.

 

A lot of underhood work got finished up yesterday. Here are some pics:

 

you never cease to amaze me! that looks 100% stock......good job!

 

that looks so damn crazy. good job bob! (as always)

 

nice!

looks like a lot of parts in the battery tray tho! lol

test drive getting closer?

 

Not worthy. Just "wow" Bob.

 

wow that looks fu*king awsome man

 

Holy Hell.







That is all.