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Idahome
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I could easily wire it up to be a 98 explorer power distribution, drivetrain wiring, pcm, etc. I could have done this weeks ago and had all the wiring ready to go by now....but Mr/ Magoo is a patient man and we are not in a rush so I took this opportunity to do some digging. I have been on EEC tuner forums, mustang forums, ranger forums etc searching for answers.
The problem with this is the 05+ can bus system will be lost, the instrument cluster, the smart power junction box, the restraints computer etc will have to go bye bye.
So I have been discussing and researching and have come to the point where we have 3 basic options:
1: wire the truck backwards to be a 98, this is a very good option and right up my alley since I have built many 96-01 style 5.0 conversions and their wiring. The work is easy, its all plug and play, park the explorer next to the ranger and start bolting in the wiring. I would of course still do a custom PCM and power harness, removing all the un needed wires and circuits.
2: Option 2 is to fool the 07 into thinking it came from the factory with a V8. The V8 offered in 2007 was the 4.6L in the F150. The 4.6L PCM CAN BE USED to run a pushrod 302. The ranger would think it was a 4.6 Ranger from Ford and all the Can bus systems would be happy. This is a crap shoot, hoping that it works, $$$$ down a hole if it does not. This would keep everything on the truck side of things 07 including the pcm location
3. #3 is still a secret and will likely be the route we take, but using a custom PCM that will run the 302 and the 4r70w and be fully tune-able in the truck. I might still have to wire the truck backwards to be a 98 as far as power distribution, dash and instrument cluster are concerned as this PCM may or may not work with the 05+ can bus system.
A custom aftermarket or "hybrid" (bastardized by me) instrument lcuster is very likely in this 07s future, keeping the stock 07 cluster with anything other then a 07-11 PCM would be near impossible
We will be pulling the trigger on one of these options VERY SOON, it has been ALOT of research and alot of work to decide I am waiting on one more answer and then we will know. I eat sleep and drink Ranger wiring and conversions. so to me this is fun, others call me a masochist :)
This may or may not be something others can do....every conversion is different. The good news for owners of 2005 and earlier trucks is they still have the 42 pin C110//112/115 plug under the hood so installing a 302 is not nearly as complex in those trucks.
It is the 06+ factory can bus system that may or may not be happy with the earlier PW1850 OBD system, I don't "play" with other people's money, so research is the key here. If I had a 4.6 F150 to play with I would love to try and make this 07 think it was a 4.6 F150 from the factory but run the explorer pushrod 302 instead.
I can run any 5.0 PCM from 96-01 explorer they are my favorite because the awesome gt40 302 with MAS and its coil pack ignition, fuel injection and the PCM controls the auto trans.. The 96-97.5 pcm is the easiest because there is no PATS, but the EGR is different, so you have to be careful which one you decide to use based on the plumbing and wiring goals of your conversion.
Last edited on Thu Oct 24th, 2019 12:00 pm by 410customs
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I build custom RBV, specializing in drivetrain conversions, wiring, suspension and complete custom trucks