2001 Zetec MTX into 2003 SPI ATX

1043 Views 18 Replies 5 Participants Last post by pbfoot, 5 d ago

WpgAustin

Discussion Starter · 10 mo ago

4

I posted a few months ago asking if anyone could clarify why it wasn’t recommended to put a 2001 MTX into a 2003 Focus. So instead of waiting for an answer I just bought an entire car (way past salvageable) and have since begun the process of swapping absolutely everything from that car over to my 2003 wagon.

So far I’ve pulled the interior wiring harness, all modules from the interior, and the engine/tranny. Last night I was working on pulling the engine harness out and noticed it had wheel speed sensors, so quickly ran to the back of the car to find that it also has rear disc brakes so now I’m also going to be swapping that over. The parts car is nearly all stripped apart, I should be done it within the next week and then I’ll have about a week of work to do on the engine (just general maintenance that’s easier to do with it out of the car). Once I start the process of installing everything into my wagon I’ll be taking pictures and posting as I go through it for anyone else wanting to take this on in the future.

When I bought the 2003 a year ago the only options it had was cruise control and power locks and ive since added heated seats, touch screen deck with backup camera mounted beside the hatch handle so it looks factory and the in dash clock, an auto dimming/compass/garage opener rear view mirror, and I took one of the bigger overhead consoles and fitted it into my car. Once I’m done with this I’ll have every option that was available minus leather seats and sunroof.

If anyone has any questions about any of the swaps or mods I’d be more than happy to give you some tips! The only aftermarket part I’ve used is the stereo.

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BlueKoda

· #2 · 10 mo ago

Looks like a pretty big ordeal, but swapping absolutely everything is probably the most right way to do it I suppose.

I've gotta ask though. If you're going through the hassle of doing what is basically a full "chassis swap", why stick with the Zetec?

Sent from my SM-G970U1 using Tapatalk

Benjilafouine

· #3 · 10 mo ago

This looks impressive! A huge undertaking. What is the radio? These models only have a 1.5 height for the radio.

Paul1958

· #4 · 10 mo ago

You're doing it the right way with a parts car. The only issue I see is that you will need to use the harness set from the 01 with the Zetec but there are some not so minor electrical differences between the 00-01 and the 02-04 (e.g. the overall setup with the GEM is completely different, etc). But Im sure you will figure it out.

Paul

Reactions: 1

WpgAustin

Discussion Starter · #5 · 10 mo ago

Paul1958 said:
You're doing it the right way with a parts car. The only issue I see is that you will need to use the harness set from the 01 with the Zetec but there are some not so minor electrical differences between the 00-01 and the 02-04 (e.g. the overall setup with the GEM is completely different, etc). But Im sure you will figure it out.

Paul

I’ve already pulled the entire interior harness and engine harness. I’d planned ahead to do this regardless as I wanted to add power windows to my wagon as well.

WpgAustin

Discussion Starter · #6 · 10 mo ago

Benjilafouine said:
This looks impressive! A huge undertaking. What is the radio? These models only have a 1.5 height for the radio.

It was just a cheap one off of Amazon with CarPlay but to get it to fit into the dash I ended up ordering a new bezel off of Aliexpress. Unfortunately the only bezels available had the dash clock cutout as well so I ended up finding a clock and wiring for it off of eBay as well to install. It was a whole ordeal of parts ordering but all works flawlessly

WpgAustin

Discussion Starter · #7 · 10 mo ago

BlueKoda said:
Looks like a pretty big ordeal, but swapping absolutely everything is probably the most right way to do it I suppose.

I've gotta ask though. If you're going through the hassle of doing what is basically a full "chassis swap", why stick with the Zetec?

Sent from my SM-G970U1 using Tapatalk

The only reason I went with the Zetec is because I ended up getting the parts car for cheap from a coworker. Came with a brand new aftermarket exhaust header and a bunch of BNIB parts (alternator, head gasket and engine seal kit, motor mounts, etc). Otherwise I would’ve tried finding a duratec to swap in.

Reactions: 1

WpgAustin

Discussion Starter · #8 · 9 mo ago

Small update: it’s been a slow process as I’ve had a very busy summer. I’ve swapped over the rear disc brakes and front steering knuckles with new bearings in all 4 corners. Needed the front knuckles as my old ones didn’t have the holes for the speed sensors.
Other than that I haven’t made much progress on the swap itself but I finally finished stripping absolutely everything out of the parts car and got it out of my garage.

Reactions: 2

WpgAustin

Discussion Starter · #9 · 9 d ago

My swap is nearly complete so I figured I’d post an update here.

A couple issues I ran into so far would be that the airbags are different from a 2001 to 2002+ where the 2001 has a single stage bag on the driver side and passenger side. I was able to use the passenger airbag out of the 2001 and install it into the grey cover for my car (parts car had beige interior) and until my local pick and pull brings in a 2000/2001 with a black steering wheel I’ll be rocking the beige airbag. Along with that the clockspring also has a different connector on it.

The wiring going to the rear of the car for the tail lights and rear wiper etc has a couple different wires. I was able to figure out what wire to solder were using wiring diagrams and a power test light. Here’s to hoping when I finally fire it up that’s all hooked up properly.

The center console front mount is different from MTX to ATX. ATX has it built into the shifter assembly and MTX has a separate metal bracket that bolts to two studs a little closer to the dash. Forgot to pull that from my parts car but I got lucky and found an MTX at the pick and pull.

The AC switch port connector is different between the two years. Wiring appears to be the same just a different style connector which can be depinned.

Right now as it sits I have the entire interior mostly back together (waiting on my new clockspring) minus one connector under the steering column that I can’t identify. Wasn’t on my 2003 harness and I have no idea where it plugs into so if anyone can help out with identifying it that’d be great, I can snag a picture of it when I get home from work. Engine bay is all wired up and the engine/tranny are ready to go in. I ended up installing an exhaust header and replaced all the gaskets/seals on the engine since it was out with a new alternator, water pump, spark plugs, and timing components. Hoping to have the engine in and running on my next day off.

I’ve learned a lot about this swap so if anyone has any questions feel free to ask

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pbfoot

· #10 · 9 d ago

WpgAustin said:
My swap is nearly complete so I figured I’d post an update here.

A couple issues I ran into so far would be that the airbags are different from a 2001 to 2002+ where the 2001 has a single stage bag on the driver side and passenger side. I was able to use the passenger airbag out of the 2001 and install it into the grey cover for my car (parts car had beige interior) and until my local pick and pull brings in a 2000/2001 with a black steering wheel I’ll be rocking the beige airbag. Along with that the clockspring also has a different connector on it.

The wiring going to the rear of the car for the tail lights and rear wiper etc has a couple different wires. I was able to figure out what wire to solder were using wiring diagrams and a power test light. Here’s to hoping when I finally fire it up that’s all hooked up properly.

The center console front mount is different from MTX to ATX. ATX has it built into the shifter assembly and MTX has a separate metal bracket that bolts to two studs a little closer to the dash. Forgot to pull that from my parts car but I got lucky and found an MTX at the pick and pull.

The AC switch port connector is different between the two years. Wiring appears to be the same just a different style connector which can be depinned.

Right now as it sits I have the entire interior mostly back together (waiting on my new clockspring) minus one connector under the steering column that I can’t identify. Wasn’t on my 2003 harness and I have no idea where it plugs into so if anyone can help out with identifying it that’d be great, I can snag a picture of it when I get home from work. Engine bay is all wired up and the engine/tranny are ready to go in. I ended up installing an exhaust header and replaced all the gaskets/seals on the engine since it was out with a new alternator, water pump, spark plugs, and timing components. Hoping to have the engine in and running on my next day off.

I’ve learned a lot about this swap so if anyone has any questions feel free to ask

Great job. Cant wait to see it finished.

WpgAustin

Discussion Starter · #11 · 6 d ago

2

Here’s the connector in question. I went around to the pick and pull and not a single other focus, no matter the year, had this connector and I can’t for the life of me remember what I unplugged it from on the parts car last summer. Does anyone have any clue at all what it could be for?

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pbfoot

· #12 · 6 d ago

WpgAustin said:
View attachment 317568
View attachment 317567 Here’s the connector in question. I went around to the pick and pull and not a single other focus, no matter the year, had this connector and I can’t for the life of me remember what I unplugged it from on the parts car last summer. Does anyone have any clue at all what it could be for?

I have never seen one like that. Is there anything else on that bundle or is that it.

pbfoot

· #13 · 6 d ago

Headlight switch.

WpgAustin

Discussion Starter · #14 · 6 d ago

pbfoot said:
Headlight switch.

Headlight switch is already plugged in and looks completely different. Wouldn’t reach there anyways. This looks like it would plug into something at the bottom of the steering column. It’s in the same bundle as the brake/clutch/clockspring connectors

pbfoot

· #15 · 6 d ago

3

WpgAustin said:
Headlight switch is already plugged in and looks completely different. Wouldn’t reach there anyways. This looks like it would plug into something at the bottom of the steering column. It’s in the same bundle as the brake/clutch/clockspring connectors

All I have is an svt dash.

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pbfoot

· #16 · 6 d ago

This an 04. Let me check my 03 dash for any difference.

pbfoot

· #17 · 6 d ago

My 03 is the same.

WpgAustin

Discussion Starter · #18 · 6 d ago

pbfoot said:
All I have is an svt dash. View attachment 317569 View attachment 317570 View attachment 317571

I really appreciate your help! I’m curious if this plug led to something that was only on a 2000/2001 and a higher end model like a ZTS because the only 2000/2001 I found was just an SE

Reactions: 1

pbfoot

· #19 · 5 d ago

WpgAustin said:
I really appreciate your help! I’m curious if this plug led to something that was only on a 2000/2001 and a higher end model like a ZTS because the only 2000/2001 I found was just an SE

That is possible. I would leave it off and see what happens.

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