98 ranger 5.0 swap

Today isnt moving as fast as I wanted. The wiring is whats getting in the way. The battery harnesses dont match up at all and you have to kinda make your own. So far ive used the 5.0 alternator wire with the 3.0 alternator plug. The 5.0 battery harness to the starter with the 3.0 harness to the power distribution box. Dug out the starter solenoid wire on the ranger side and mated it to the back side wire of the explorer solenoid. Rangers use a starter mounted solenoid where as the year explorer I am using uses a fender well mounted one to feed the starter. I am doing away with the fender mounted solenoid and running straight to the starter. It shouldnt be a problem considering the wires are the same size and I did an amperage check. They range out the same so the ranger side can handle the draw. Now I need to do my fuel return line so I can mount the trans, then mount the starter and start shortening wires to length. Once thats out of the way I am left with swapping my truck from manual to auto and I should be good minus exhaust which is way behind on being shipped
 
yesterday was a wasted day kind of. All I really got done was running my return fuel line, I laid out my wiring but didnt tuck any of it away. And ripped my clutch pedal assembly out. I gave up at about 1030 when I got invited to go out the bar, Ended up out boozing till about 630am so today is another wasted day seeing as how I just woke up
 
Found a 98 mountie with 99 and up stuff on it at the jy yesterday. So I grabbed the air box

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And kind of just snooped around it and saw how it all worked. I couldnt remember how the vacuum lines went.

Ok so here is a wiring run down. You have to mesh ranger and explorer. Its really easy actually.

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This plug has 5 wires, the 4 small wires are for the AC and the large yellow wire is your starter solenoid wire. On the ranger it runs to the starter. On the explorer that wire would run to the fender well mounted solenoid then down to the starter. What you have to do is cut apart the premolded solenoid wiring and take the starter solenoid lead and connect it to the ranger wire

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that is the expo solenoid plug. You want the small wire. The large one comes from the battery. I will get some pictures later on how you work the alternator wire/power distribution box wiring. Its self explanatory really. Minus that starter solenoid wire its all plug and play wiring really
 
Didnt do much today, just kinda took care of the manual to auto swap. Took my time and did some wiring tucking. I have a remote start kit I may install after all this is in and working right
 
This swap is pretty straight forward actually. Being an 01 you are bolt in mostly. Little wiring crap and some custom exhaust. Ideally I will have it there for the september 1st pa meet
 
Awesome man. I am not that familiar with the engine works so I definitly dont trust myself. I hope to make it to the meet as well, hope to see your truck. Where in PA are you?
 
The engine stuff is simple, just make sure you find a 99 and up. The wiring is a direct match.

I live near clearfield
 
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