| PM | Quote | Reply | Full Topic |
Hey look ~ they ~ bounce!
Joined: Sun Oct 22nd, 2017
Location: Evansville, USA
Posts: 2736
Status:
Offline
Reputation: 
Reputation Points: $user_rep
mhoward wrote:............. Then I created my own how-to using a different approach so you didn't hack up your truck's harness. My install can actually be reversed in a matter of a couple of hours (provided you kept the removed manual HVAC parts).
Sounds like you took a similar and/or the same road that I devised and collected parts for. Minimal alteration of OEM wiring, maximum plug-and-play and usage of a newly fabbed harness (OEM abandoned and/or not fully used), no custom built head unit, easy to replace parts and easy to unwind if SHTF and it's -10F for the next week. Oh, and FWIW, cabin temp sniffer connection at the fan, you can use the fitting off an Explorer and the footprint for it is showing on the Ranger. Just drill/file to fit, install screws to secure it, done.
My method isn't "pretty", but I just couldn't bring myself to start chopping off connectors. So each wire coming off the head unit that has to connect to the original HVAC has a spade connector soldered to it. They are then plugged into the connectors based on the wire color. The perfect scenario would have been matching "opposite" connectors that would plug into the existing harness. But we all know those don't exist.
I did the cabin temp sniffer just as you described. I bought a bilge pump hose kit at Walmart that yielded a single piece black hose of the correct size so I didn't have the brittle, pieced-together tubing in the original how-to. I also didn't use butt connectors like Griggs did in his write up -- HATE butt connectors. :)
So yeah, sounds like we were on the same page with this one. :)
____________________
-- Michael
2003 Ranger Edge / Extended Cab / Flareside / 3.0L FLEX / 5r44e Auto / 2WD / 8.8 LS 4:10 / Sonic Blue Pearl
So many mods... so little time...