2.3L auto to manual swap
#1
11-19-2022
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From: New Lenox, Il
2.3L auto to manual swap
Bought a 2011 Ranger and have been looking to swap a manual into it. I figured the best option would be to find a wrecked manual and take all the manual stuff, computer and harness out of it. Anyone knows how hard it is to swap the engine harnesses between an auto harness and a manual harness? Thanks in advance.
#2
11-19-2022
If you're doing this on a 2004+, the gauge cluster is integrated with the computer. If you swap the computer from a parts truck, you need to swap the gauge cluster as well.
Keep in mind there have been many people who have swapped to a manual trans without swapping the computer or gauge cluster and the truck still runs fine. It is not guaranteed, but what is guaranteed is that you will have check engine lights and O/D Off lights since the computer will be looking for the auto that is not there. A good tuner can correct this, but there are not many tuners who are knowledgeable with Rangers and what you are trying to do.
As for swapping the harness, Ford generally runs the engine/transmission control wiring under the intake manifold plenums, so you may at the least have to remove the intake plenum. It may be easier on a 2.3, but you'll have to check it out first before you dive into this swap.
Keep in mind there have been many people who have swapped to a manual trans without swapping the computer or gauge cluster and the truck still runs fine. It is not guaranteed, but what is guaranteed is that you will have check engine lights and O/D Off lights since the computer will be looking for the auto that is not there. A good tuner can correct this, but there are not many tuners who are knowledgeable with Rangers and what you are trying to do.
As for swapping the harness, Ford generally runs the engine/transmission control wiring under the intake manifold plenums, so you may at the least have to remove the intake plenum. It may be easier on a 2.3, but you'll have to check it out first before you dive into this swap.
#3
11-19-2022
+1 on the cluster and Computer(PCM) being a "matched set", its so people can't swap in a low mile Cluster
And when you change PCM and Cluster you also need to re-program PATS keys, i.e. add your current keys to new system, need minimum of 2 working keys
After 2001 or so Rangers had different harness's for Auto and Manual
Before that all harnesses were Manual and Auto was an added harness to the Manual harness, so easier to work with in this type of swap
You won't need to swap Engine wiring harness going from Auto to Manual trans
But you will need to splice in some wires to change connections
Automatic uses a DTR switch(sensor), Manual does not
Reverse lights
"Neutral" switch, for starting
"In gear" for driving
These are all on DTR switch and easy to work with
Once you get to this point, auto is out, manual is in, ask again about this re-wiring
And when you change PCM and Cluster you also need to re-program PATS keys, i.e. add your current keys to new system, need minimum of 2 working keys
After 2001 or so Rangers had different harness's for Auto and Manual
Before that all harnesses were Manual and Auto was an added harness to the Manual harness, so easier to work with in this type of swap
You won't need to swap Engine wiring harness going from Auto to Manual trans
But you will need to splice in some wires to change connections
Automatic uses a DTR switch(sensor), Manual does not
Reverse lights
"Neutral" switch, for starting
"In gear" for driving
These are all on DTR switch and easy to work with
Once you get to this point, auto is out, manual is in, ask again about this re-wiring
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