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Electrolytic radial, or axial caps are not necessarily what you'll see. Surface Mount Devices (SMD) are popular on the GEM board. Pictured is a GEM still attached to the fuse box that I have, note al the capacitors and resistors labeled with the letter R or C followed by the location, or quantity number. Pictured are SMD Tantalum style.
Excellent information: Sorry, I have not had hands on experience so I have been relying on 2nd hand information. My bad. Your explanation makes total sense to me. Now I see what you are talking about. The big box is the fuse/distro unit and the GEM is the smaller box (unopened in Wildstang's photo). Task does seen a bit daunting with over 150 caps on that board. Might have to rethink the DIY rebuild. Really appreciate your clarity on explaining the parts. Am I looking at a single board inside the GEM unit? Would it be fair to assume a rebuild is replacement or repair of that board? Meanwhile dealership is still looking for a core for FORD to rebuild.
one of these days i need to finish my manual tcase shifter. sourced all the parts and materials to build it, just need to machine up one part and assemble and test it.
i designed it when my 4x4 went out and was facing the GEM delima but was able to resolve it without it being the GEM.
at some point though I expect it will fail snd i refuse to get rid of my Ex, especially over obsolete parts. I will just convert everything to manual.
Excellent information: Sorry, I have not had hands on experience so I have been relying on 2nd hand information. My bad. Your explanation makes total sense to me. Now I see what you are talking about. The big box is the fuse/distro unit and the GEM is the smaller box (unopened in Wildstang's photo). Task does seen a bit daunting with over 150 caps on that board. Might have to rethink the DIY rebuild. Really appreciate your clarity on explaining the parts. Am I looking at a single board inside the GEM unit? Would it be fair to assume a rebuild is replacement or repair of that board? Meanwhile dealership is still looking for a core for FORD to rebuild.
Do you have a part number for the one you need? The one I pictured is functional, from 2000 a 4x4 gas engine, not sure if it will work or not. I had it listed in the marketplace a while back. You need 1 or more posts I believe to be available to send private messages.
Part number below.
As much as I would like to take a chance on a 2000 gas 4x4 unit, I think I need to pass. After reviewing my journey thus far I have concluded that this part is very specific to each model of excursion. My first purchase of a replacement unit was supposed to work but the part number was 1 letter different from the original. manual and mechanic said; compatible and switchable but in reality, the unit did not work. Then you add the "used part with money back guarantee" factor (which was not really a money back....since the website apparently has left the planet.... after 6 inquiries and counting), so my "cold feet" reluctance is rapidly becoming frozen legs. Please pardon me for by no means am I reflecting on your character and integrity with you offer to help. I do appreciate it. Just feeling a bit spooked on the whole mess right now. At this rate it is starting to feel like "all I want for Christmas is a new GEM unit" Sure hope it does not take that long.
Sincerely "patience trainee"
The 4x2 gas version I keep for troubleshooting works flawlessly in my truck minus the 4x4 operation of the transfer case. I think you just had a bad part that someone refused to stand behind. Gas or Diesel will not matter with the GEM module. It controls peripheral systems...not the engine.
Well its been a long road but finally the Ford dealer came though with the right part and the EX is finally back on the road. Just a few days under 4 months, the extreme eduction and patience has finally come to a close. Car pooling with the wife, borrowing family cars, purchasing and returning 5 versions of the GEM module that did not fit my rig, mentally preparing for settling for different transportation solution has made me a different man. What a surprise when on New Years eve day the part arrived and successfully installed for total success. I kept the broken core and will have it rebuilt either way. Now the final decision is kept the EX or sell it? Seemed like an easy call when the rig was broken, but now that I am driving the best rig I have ever owned the conflicted mind is over rev'ing. To that end I am opening up the discussion to all comers. WHAT DO YOU THINK I SHOULD DO???
for me, I plan on passing my Ex on to my heirs someday so I treat it as a forever vehicle.
what that means to me.
1. I use oem quality or better replacement parts.
2. when applicable I use lifetime warranty parts on some common wear parts its like starters and alternators, radiator ect
remarkably the new not rebuilt Duralast stuff at Autozone has proven awesome.
3. I actively collect out of production parts for spares when the day comes and I cant rebuild mine.
7.3/ parts worth having if you can
PCM
GEM
Dash cluster
Fuse blocks
IDM
engine wire harness
if you follow the theme it becomes obvious that electrical is the long term bugabo of most vehicle's. in the overall big picture the Ex actually has high quality components and is relatively basic and devoid of most of todays vehicles electrics. go look at any new truck today and imagine trying finding a full computerized dash in 20 years. forget it, heck even now when new god help you if it fails out of warranty. ( my bros 2019 f250 psd instrument cluster needed replacement..... nearly $5k later )
I love the Ex and the 7.3 and think it is the ideal vehicle for me to keep forever. actually, I am looking to acquire and keep a second one.
I completely agree with Camo in his post above. I also have collected almost all of those electrical parts he listed out. My X will never leave my family while I breath air.
Originally Posted by pirate4x4_camo
I love the Ex and the 7.3 and think it is the ideal vehicle for me to keep forever. actually, I am looking to acquire and keep a second one.
Oh, boy....we think alike! I have been looking as well.
I completely agree with Camo in his post above. I also have collected almost all of those electrical parts he listed out. My X will never leave my family while I breath air.
Oh, boy....we think alike! I have been looking as well.
if you ever run across a CA 7.3 PCM part number DPC-452, I am your HuckleBerry.
last time I had a problem DTOC was able to fix it, ( he is by far the true supreme 7.3 PCM IDM guru ) https://www.dieseltechchatt.com
without the CA version DPC-452 PCM functioning correctly a California ex will be headed to the scrap pile ( or out of state )
during my search for one I uncovered a "secret" .gov program to eradicate these parts from general circulation. There is a actual a $$$ bounty on them and they
get removed and turned in by guys in the auction yards before the vehicle is ever sent to the parts recyclers….. CA intends to make these old vehicles EXTINCT
by buying up the supply and removing the electronic service parts from the market place. Without this part a vehicle can not pass CA smog.
even when I had a brand new Porsche in my garage my Daily drivers were always junk out of the impound yard.. they just suit me.
Recently added A quarter panel to my Ex only parts collection.
current inventory of other Ex only body parts is:
quarter panels
rear hatch
rear barn doors
Looking to add:
rear passenger doors
roof
windshield frame
rear door dog legs
I have my spare 452 already. I just need a gauge cluster for my electronics stash to be completed. I'll keep an eye out for any more 452's here in TX.
you find me a 452 and I will work a mechanical odometer cluster into the deal
***Unless you need it right away then I have a couple sitting on the shelf.
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