2000 Explorer XLT - EB swapout

[Ke Roget]

Question on key programming / PATS:

I am swapping the entire dash, steering column (and ignition), and message center/center console out of my 2000 Explorer EB, along with the 3 door locks. (trans finally toast after 253,693 miles)
all this because the (extremely!) cheap XLT I picked up due to cost unfortunately came with the low end steering console, 1 slave key (master lost somewhere along the way) and manual climate controle, along with no message center. The only unanswered question i have (and my local Ford dealership is being suspiciously silent on) regards the keys.

Do I need to program new keys, given the total swap? My EB had just the 1 master key when i bought it, but it is functional.

 

[Ke Roget]

I think yes with all highway accessories gadgets for cars.
nox

Sorry, would that be "Yes, you need to completely program new keys" or "Yes, you can use the keys you have for the EB igni and column, but you should program a spare"?

 

[CDW6212R]

The latter. Is the engine the same in both trucks?

What matters is the matching of the PCM and PATS modules, with the key codes stored in the PATS. As long as you swap those items, that old key will work(with the ignition key cylinder). You should obtain a total of three working keys, in case one is lost. Without two, you must pay to have the old codes erased, so any new keys can be programmed in. With two keys, you can add others, up to eight total stored in the PATS.

 

[vroomzoomboom]

are both trucks the same year, motor and trans?
if they are use the ignition tumbler, and ring in the column (and by the sounds of it you will be anyway).

then take the PATS modual from behind the passengers air bag as well.

you will also however need the pcm that is under the hood. if you use all three, you will not need a key programed and can use the donor truck keys. however if they are different years and driveline, you might not be able to use them.

 

[vroomzoomboom]

also going to add if you didnt already know this, your message center is not a plug and play swap. you will have to hard wire it into your xlt from your eddy

 

[CDW6212R]

Yes, the message center and EATC have a few wires going through the under hood harness. The body harness is likely also different from XLT option wiring. So don't cut any wiring or discard the old parts/wiring until you are satisfied with the finished result.

 

[Ke Roget]

Many thanks for the replies!
First, a follow-up question to @vroomzoomboom : you said

"you will also however need the PCM that is under the hood. if you use all three, you will not need a key programed and can use the donor truck keys."

Just making sure here, it is the PCU the key codes are stored in, not the ECU? Asking because I am fairly sure the ECU also stores VIN info, and unless reprogrammed (by a dealership) cannot be legally moved between vehicles.

Quick recap of the transfer:

Moved center console w/ message center from 2000 EB (4.0L, SOHC v6, 5r55e trans) to the 2000 XLT (also the 4.0L, SOHC v6, 5r55e trans)
moved dash and steering column because the column has the inbuilt volume and fan controls for the stock audio head unit (and the igni + the 1 master key). Did the dash swap because I wanted the EATC and didn't want to pull the loom and climate sensors out of the dash. This also means its going to be the PATS module originally associated with the key and cylinder ring. Found in the process that due to the outside air temp, MPG data and oil sensors in the EB engine harness I had to also swap that component as well, for the message center to work properly.

So far, it is a lot of work involved in the harness exchange, but I ended up with some interesting knowledge about the EB... turns out one of the previous owners had been either under surveillance OR, (and more likely), was a member of law enforcement/govt agencies... found a GPS tracking unit specifically sold to gov't/law enforcement 20+ years ago and discontinued 10+ years back hardwired into the compartment harness, hidden between the firewall and the master cylinder vacuum assist. Cool, right?

There ARE differences in the body harness (thanks muchly, @CDW6212R !). Namely, there is no Air Ride/Air shock system on the XLT, and no moon roof. The XLT, while it does have the trailer hook up harness, wasn't equipped with the electronic braking assist the EB had, and I doubt I will use it to tow anything here forward, short of a pop-up for fishing or camping.

Next steps in the conversion:

Since I am already swapping the compartment harness, I am doing an upgrade to the headlight and indicator light system. Replacing the headlight units for projector assemblies , housing Innovited AC 55W BI-Xenon Hi/Low dual beam HID lamps with 10000K color temperature, upgrading all of the driving indicator lamps and fog lamps with bright LED bulbs (which means also doing the load resistors for the turn indicator lamps...), and replacing all the instrument cluster lights with LEDs.

Finally, adding a Giordon Bluetooth remote start keyless entry system. Ultimately, the XLT will be going to my wife, so I wanted to make sure it could do everything for safety I could get it to do.

 

[CDW6212R]

The computer is called various things, Ford people like ECM etc, other makers like ECU etc.

I call them all a PCM, which means every computer for all makers. It's the universal acronym for any vehicle main engine computer, it means Powertrain Control Module.

The PATS stores the actual codes, the PCM has VIN or course, and syncs with the PATS. They have be matched together with the key codes. So use your old/original PCM, it will work with the matching PATS and the one good key you have.

The air ride was an option on all 99-01 Explorers, and only standard on 95-98 EB and Limited's. You don't want to swap that over to the new truck, I've done it and that's a big job. If your compressor still worked, I'd be interested in that as a spare for my 99.

 

[Ke Roget]

yes, that just dawned on me, just as i got the alert for your reply... asian cars refer to it as the ECU, whereas most american manufacturers call it the PCM.... sigh, some days.... on the VIN question, it appears i can use a scan tool to simply change the VIN to match frame and engine, once installed...

 

[CDW6212R]

I wouldn't worry about the VIN unless you want to. It won't have any affect on functioning, and there's nothing wrong with using a part from any other car. You own the parts, so it's completely legal to swap them as you please.