I like trying thinks that hasn't been done before. Or at least I think it hasn't been done. It's been talked about, but most discouraged. It's been described as a PITA project, it's been said that it can't be done. :shifty::shifty: Really?? Well, I have nothing but time and a boatload of patience. What am I talking about? I am talking about Gen2 everything interior into a Gen1. Why do it? Why not. I have a complete Gen2 sitting there. So I am going to do it. I've been studying this for the past week, and the way I am going to tackle this is to:

Completely remove the Gen 1 interior.
Completely remove the gen2 interior.
Take the complete wiring harness from the Gen 2 and transplant it to the Gen1.
Swap over AC Box and anything else that is different on the Gen2.

This project is very doable. I think I'm in a unique situation than most, because I already have everything.

Ok for all you nay skeptics, I know you have something to say.

I say...DO IT.

Dont stop at the interior, go the "full pull" and put the OBD2 system in there too!

That opens up them options by a large margin

^ my member supporting post for the week of 06-24-2010

GO GMAN GO!
^supporting post #2!



Greg, this will be a huge task. Take your time, go slow and take lots of pictures and notes.

I would seriously like to see you pull this off.

Ok for all you nay skeptics, I know you have something to say.


#1 skeptic reporting sir.

generally and normally speaking you would be correct on your assumption and expectation.

but when someone comes up with the "right idea, for the right reason" I will gladly support such an endeavor.

It can be done. I don't see any reason why it can't be.

I'm still wanting to do the gen2 door panels and rear seat back rest in my Gen1, already found the paint and adhesive for the interior blue, now I need the $ for parts

good luck with the project

Like you said, not often someone has two complete cars sitting next to each other. Makes it so much easier to see the differences side by side.

It can be done. I don't see any reason why it can't be.

uhmmm didja see the part where i said.. YES.. DO IT.

I never implied that it couldn't be done.

I'm still wanting to do the gen2 door panels and rear seat back rest in my Gen1, already found the paint and adhesive for the interior blue, now I need the $ for parts

good luck with the project

back seat is easy...96's had em.

door panels are doable too

have fun. after just having my dash out, i can tell you that it will not be any fun.

Yea, I would probably never try this if I didn't already have a donor vehicle. I've already done a Gen1 single din to double din swap, and that went off without a hitch, and that car is still on the road.

I Why do it?

obd2!!!!
dont need no stinkin chips
datalogging <---huge plus when diagnosing engine or trans issues

more potential performance
more potential economy

i can tell you that it will not be any fun.

some peoples idea of fun, varies..greatly.

some people think that running til they shyt themselves and pee blood is fun.

that is roughly the punishment level this project could lead to IMHO, but.. it's not impossible with enough sweat(it IS texas) blood(skinless knuckles) and tears.

What would have to be changed on the engine to convert to ODBII?

I think it would be very cool.

Valve covers and coil packs.

At first plan, I don't plan on doing anything with the motor. The motor is excellent and purrs like a kitten. I don't want to change anything. My mechanic actually suggested this to me. I was thinking of getting another gen 2 and swapping the interior. He said why? You got one here. Today was the first time I actually really drove the 93 after all the issues were taken care of. It is defiantly faster than the gen 2. So now I will have the comfort and styling of a gen 2, and quickness of a gen 1.

I think I speak for all of us when I say; "We look forward to your progress my man!" I'm sure plenty of us would love the Gen II dash on our Gen I's... You are about to do what the designers at the FORD plant did back in 1996 when they designed the 97!

back seat is easy...96's had em.

door panels are doable too

The entire car can be "doable" on flips of interior and exterior parts, I've seen pics of gen2 rear ands on gen1 and gen1 front clips on gen2s...
I know the rear seat is doable..I can even use the gen2 rear seat in the gen1, just have to cut notches in the back dash...the panels are floppable, but the handles must be drilled and re-rivetted.
Off the top of my head the only interior part that can't be flip flopped without the other is a seat/console conversion

I'll be the first to bring this up. I'd love to see this done but you are going to run into some issues with the obdII vs obdI protocols. While you may pull this swap off and get the car to "run", there is going to be several issues. First is the instrument cluster. I'm pretty sure it won't talk to an EECIV. Second is the Information Center, same issue as the instrument cluster. Third is the EATC, same issue as instrument cluster. Fourth is and this is a maybe if you decide to use it, the Driver's Door Module, Driver's Seat Module and Passenger's Seat Module. Fifth is the tilt/tele column and if you decide to use it, the power memory mirrors.

The easiest and best (IMHO) is to pull the wiring harness from the front bumper all the way back to the rear quarters in both cars and swap harnesses, then swap interiors.

You could maybe kinda do a piggy back EECV and use that to be the foundation of the obdII network needed for the i/c m/c and all the other stuff needed. That would be a lot more work involved and a wiring nightmare to say the least.

With that being said, I wish you the best on this project and I really hope that it works out well.

Ya, I'm pretty sure this is what you have in mind, but I would swap the engine harnesses, and like Laser said that would most likely be just the coil covers and some sensors. Some engine sensors may be different, but they will be in the same location on both motors. Also the trans harness will be different. You just may have to repin the connector at the transmission. You will also have to add a gen2 exhaust for the 02 sensors, or you could use a programmer to delete them I guess. But on the interior, I would swap the body harness, but possibly splice the harness that goes to the tail lights, they arent that complicated. If you have a bare shell though, I dont see how anything isn't possible. I dont know if structurally the firewall is different, but I would bet money that with the exception of some holes, which you could add more if needed, everything will hang on the firewall. Wish I was in Texas, I'd love to help see this come to completion, sounds interesting.

Changing the interior of the car should no way have any affect on whether or not the engine management system is ODB1 or ODB2. The driver information center gives off the same messages, with the exception of the Gen 2 giving you the day of the week. If we picture both cars bare, I mean nothing in them but sheet metal, what would be different? This is how I am going to approach this project. Starting with an empty house (The Gen1) and move all of the upgraded comforts and ammenities of the Gen2 into it. This can't be done until the whole electrical wire harness is layed out onto the shell of the car. If the interior wire harness plugs into the main plug of the 93, and I see no real reason why it wouldn't then I will be good to go. If not, then I will tackle whatever problems as they come up. ;)

http://www.explorerforum.com/data/503/int008.JPG

http://www.explorerforum.com/data/503/int010.JPG

http://www.explorerforum.com/data/503/int011.JPG

I like trying thinks that hasn't been done before. Or at least I think it hasn't been done. It's been talked about, but most discouraged. It's been described as a PITA project, it's been said that it can't be done. :shifty::shifty: Really?? Well, I have nothing but time and a boatload of patience. What am I talking about? I am talking about Gen2 everything interior into a Gen1. Why do it? Why not. I have a complete Gen2 sitting there. So I am going to do it. I've been studying this for the past week, and the way I am going to tackle this is to:

Completely remove the Gen 1 interior.
Completely remove the gen2 interior.
Take the complete wiring harness from the Gen 2 and transplant it to the Gen1.
Swap over AC Box and anything else that is different on the Gen2.

This project is very doable. I think I'm in a unique situation than most, because I already have everything.

Ok for all you nay skeptics, I know you have something to say.

Welcome to the final frontier! I wish you all the luck in the world with this. I would love to do it myself. Having both a '96 and '97 in the driveway, I can understand the desire to have the much nicer GEN2 interior in the GEN1 body. Good luck and live long and prosper!

You will have to keep the gen1 dash gauges and prolly the steering colum and forego the harness swap and just keep it cosemetic. Gonna have to make a spot to mount the TC button. You could swap the the steering colum but thats gonna cause ignition and switch issues all just to have power tilt/telescope and you wont be able to interface it with the gen1 memory recall I dont think.

I was mentioning all the engine stuff, to make the gen 2 cluster work...

I love my door panels, There is a little difference in texture, but no one has ever commented on it. It is very slight. The only thing that doesn't work is the drivers mirror. I did have it working with the original mirror, but when that one went bad, I've had a h#!! of a time trying to get the new mirror working right. If you get a chance to do it, go for it! Back when I did this, I was told that it couldn't be done, by one very respected member. In fact, I think it was the only time he has been mistaken.:gr_hail: So, to anyone that wants to try something out of the box, GO FOR IT ALWAYS! You never know.

I don't want to get off of your point. I know this is probably a dumb question, but besides OBD1 & OBD2 What is the most significant difference between the 2 Gen's? Obviously with the exception of the outside appearance? Also, what is the biggest advantage of OBD2 over OBD1. I should know this stuff, but I can't say I'm 100% on the facts.

Man, that's awesome! I can't say I'm lovin' that paint job, but to each his own. But the interior is fantastic! I love that body color accented dash, console, and door panels. I need to do that to mine. It would look so good.

I changed the seat covers in my 1st. gen and it was not very hard at all. I didn't do the doors as I didn't want the hassle. The seats are quite different as the wiring is different and don't just plug in. The seat frames are different as the 1st. gen use air for the lumbar seat adjustment and the gen 2 uses adjustable springs. The rear seats are no problem as they drop in perfectly. If you choose to use the complete front seats you will be in for a bunch of work the other way you would just remove the seat covers with the foam and swap them from one frame to the other.
Good luck with your project.

I have to say the pictures do not benefit the paint by any measure. I've had a few people see the pics and say the same thing. Then when they see it in person, it's a whole different cow. I think most of the guys here in KC will agree. At least I tried something different!

This weekend starts the project of swapping interior over. Tomorrow after work I will start removing everything. It should go pretty quickly, because I've done this before. ;) today I took off the wheels with the brand new Michelins. I'm going to miss this car.
http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af202/pogigreg/Lincoln%20Stuff/100_3216.jpg

Good luck man. Take pictures!

Have you decided how you are going to do it with the engine/trans harness stuff to make the cluster work? How about the ignition switch? Good luck man!

where is the computer that controls the message center?

i know there is a different layout and the menus are setup a bit different

OK, I'm into pulling everything out, now I need to figure out how to move the seats. Does anyone know how I can move the seats?

where is the computer that controls the message center?

i know there is a different layout and the menus are setup a bit different

There's no computer.

without power dude good luck!! when i cant get a track to move i have to disassemble the seat in the car to get down to the dam nuts!

I started pulling everything out of my 98. I started by removing the steering wheel, got that out of the way. Then I started on the shifter, and realized I had to get under the car to release the cable from the MLP. The care was so low, that I had to get the jack on the edge and lift up one side just under the door far enough to get jack stands under it. Then it started raining, so I had to stop.
http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af202/pogigreg/Lincoln%20Stuff/img_0927.jpg
http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af202/pogigreg/Lincoln%20Stuff/img_0926.jpg
http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af202/pogigreg/Lincoln%20Stuff/img_0923.jpg
http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af202/pogigreg/Lincoln%20Stuff/img_0925.jpg

I started pulling everything out of my 98. I started by removing the steering wheel, got that out of the way. Then I started on the shifter, and realized I had to get under the car to release the cable from the MLP. The care was so low, that I had to get the jack on the edge and lift up one side just under the door far enough to get jack stands under it. Then it started raining, so I had to stop.
http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af202/pogigreg/Lincoln%20Stuff/img_0926.jpg
http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af202/pogigreg/Lincoln%20Stuff/img_0927.jpg
http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af202/pogigreg/Lincoln%20Stuff/img_0923.jpg
http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af202/pogigreg/Lincoln%20Stuff/img_0925.jpg

I'm very excited to see this progress.

I'm very excited to see this progress.

Sadly we can't say the same about your threads;):D

Sadly we can't say the same about your threads;):D

lolololololol ooooooohhhhhh god was that good!

I got the dash out, and I think I am in for it with this project. :eek: I am really going to have to study the wiring diagrams from both the 93 and the 98. All those wires sure look scarry. :eek:
http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af202/pogigreg/Lincoln%20Stuff/img_0930.jpg
http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af202/pogigreg/Lincoln%20Stuff/img_0932.jpg
http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af202/pogigreg/Lincoln%20Stuff/img_0932.jpg

i need that passenger side headlight! damn too slow as allways

Something has changed in the Matrix........ :D

Yep, you will be doing some splicing man, but not very much. Get your soldering iron ready. Do you have the diagrams on both vehicles?

I have Mitchell Online. I am going to try to use the entire harness. What I really need to find out is how different the harness are. I can tell you now, that the dash will fit right in no problem. The difference in the ignition. I noticed that this was an assembly that the harness plugs into. The color codes on the ignition wires should be the same. The harness goes into the firewall and connects to the fusebox under the hood. All that crap is burnt up and melted. I need to find out if there is some kind of quick disconnect at the firewall. If there isn't, then I think it will be game over for me. Then I will have to go to plan B, and Frankenstein some :q:q:q:q.

How ya gonna feed the cluster again? You switching everything over to OBDII?

If I can successfully get this wire harness integrated, then yes, it will essentially be ODBII. If the wire harness proves to be a bit too much, then no.

why dont you just feed the gen 1 dash harness into the back of the gen 2 dash, then you can have the gen 2 dash in the car, and put the gen 1 cluster back in, the housings of the gauge clusters are the same, so the gen 1 cluster will screw right back into the gen 2 cluster hole. at least it would make it a little easier on you not having to mess around with getting the digital gen 2 cluster to work.

Oh trust me, that is my Plan B. I want to at least make sense of the harness, before I give up. It's only been one day. :p

If money was no issue it would be sweet to see a auto meter cluster dash. Too bad you can't use the gen I ignition and maybe plug the gen II igntion. Good luck with the project.

If money was no issue it would be sweet to see a auto meter cluster dash. Too bad you can't use the gen I ignition and maybe plug the gen II igntion. Good luck with the project.

Says who I can't use the gen one ignition? This hasn't been tried before.

Would it work if it was a 96 ignition

I hope you are changing the heater core during the swap.

Would it work if it was a 96 ignition

The ignition for 97/98 is a key cylinder sort of think that that plugs into the main wire harness. This is why I am using the whole interior harness. The color of the ignition wires should be the same as all of the Marks. The cable that disables the shifter without the key is connected to the cylinder and routed to the shifter.
http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af202/pogigreg/Lincoln%20Stuff/000_0004-1.jpg
http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af202/pogigreg/Lincoln%20Stuff/000_0006-1.jpg
http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af202/pogigreg/Lincoln%20Stuff/000_0007-1.jpg
http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af202/pogigreg/Lincoln%20Stuff/000_0008.jpg

I hope you are changing the heater core during the swap.

Most definitely I am changing the heater core. I am going a step farther and swapping the whole AC box over so I can use the blend door for the Gen 2.:cool:
http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af202/pogigreg/Lincoln%20Stuff/img_0934.jpg

Salvage that blend door motor on the '93. It is an obsolete part and the only way to get them is to do what you are doing, so people are willing to pay for them.

Does anybody know of a way I can get power to the seats so I can move them up? Since the whole engine compartment is burnt, I'm thinking I can somehow energize the inside through the fuse panel or something. Is this even possible?

The forward most motor on the set of 3 under the seat is the one that controls forward and rear movement... If you can hot wire it with like a makita battery or something, it should move for you. I've had to do that before at the junkyard.

GMAN, my seats were stuck too because of not having power but I eventually got them out when I found the right tool combo. The back seat bolts were hell to do but I was happy to finally get them out and get them moved over to the 95 and put a plug to them and get power.

Hey No Limit, what combination did you come up with? I was able to completely get the 13mm nut off, but I can't get a socket over the other one, because of the seat track.

How about a ratchet wrench?

sears makes a new open end ratchet wrench, i know how gman feels you cant get an 18 mm on the inside rear nut with the track against it. you might have to partially disassemble the seat in the car to get that 18 mm nut off. its doable without power, only if the track is in the right spot, there is a small window of opportunity to get that nut off.

I was able to get that nut to turn a little bit, but I couldn't get the ratchet to click far enough to get another bite on it. I need to get an air ratchet on it and it should come off. I was out there so long, I was sweating like a whore in church. I also came to the realization, that this was epic plan. So much that I was sitting in that seat I couldn't get out and stared at that huge mess of a wire harness. This thing sprouts out in so many directions, that it looked near impossible to disconnect and totally make sense of. So I'm giving up on the harness swap, and proceed to Plan "B" which is proceed with the dash swap, and the AC box swap.

Wow what a undertaking..... good luck GMAN!

Gen2 everything interior into a Gen1
Ok for all you nay skeptics

Sweet and fk them !!

R u swapping in cooled seats ??

GMAN!!!!!! I almost forgot!!!! I NEED your motor! Mine just broke. :( I am in a world of hurt. Please PM me or call me tomorrow....... crap, my new phone shows up sometime tomorrow so it wont be till the afternoon till you can call that number. Ill PM you my temp nukber now.

GMAN!!!!!! I almost forgot!!!! I NEED your motor! Mine just broke. :( I am in a world of hurt. Please PM me or call me tomorrow....... crap, my new phone shows up sometime tomorrow so it wont be till the afternoon till you can call that number. Ill PM you my temp nukber now.

Man that sucks. I was hoping you were joking when you said you blew your engine. I'm really sorry to hear that. You put a lot of work into that engine.

On the subject of interior switching, my message center on my '96 is all messed up. All but one of the buttons are broken and it's irritating as hell. I keep getting the "check exterior lamps" warning because I've got LED's in all my brake/tail/parking lights and I haven't cut that wire yet. And I can't reset it because the button's broke. So I bought another switch panel off Ebay for it. The problem is (and I didn't think about this before I bought it) that the one I bought is from a '95 model. It looks exactly like mine, but it's OBD1 and mine is OBD2. My question is, will it work? Or did I waste $20 bucks?

gman try moving a pcm from under the dash panel and extending the leads to locate it for the clutch pedal. not once but twice. ah yes it is fun to be different but the price you pay makes you value the project more.

This project has been put on hold!! I've all but given up on it for a week at least. I found CE for sale, and I am jumping all over it. :p. So what ever you need off my black car, speak up! The fenders and bumper cover are spoken for already. I have steering wheel, interior, visors, side mirrors, etc....

This project has been put on hold!! I've all but given up on it for a week at least. I found CE for sale, and I am jumping all over it. :p. So what ever you need off my black car, speak up! The fenders and bumper cover are spoken for already. I have steering wheel, interior, visors, side mirrors, etc....

Glad you found a ce.

Any pics???

I need a drivers side door panel bad.. your car was a 97 right?

also how are the front seats?
Might be in the market for front seat skins if there are in good shape.

Kirk,

I got that 97 panel for you I just keep forgetting it, you can have it for cheap if you find me black 95-96 C/C buttons.

Also I'm reskining my (97) driver seat back, you can have that skin too if its better then yours for a few pennys

I just did the swap on my 95, I just left the 95 dash in and paited it everything else is 97

Once I clean it I'll throw some pictures up. So you should at least do that much to it.

I forgot, is you black car a 97 or a 98? If it is a 97 I might need a few things.

I forgot, is you black car a 97 or a 98? If it is a 97 I might need a few things.
Trans, steering rack, mirror switch cover........ thats about the only changes between 97 and 98, no? And only the steering rack cant switch over.

Trans, steering rack, mirror switch cover........ thats about the only changes between 97 and 98, no? And only the steering rack cant switch over.

The black interiors are different colors....

The black interiors are different colors....
;)