The list below is based upon the use of a New Gen 2 Coyote Crate engine and 6R80w Transmission.

For a 1966–77 Bronco with a Gen 2 Coyote and 6R80w ,  There are Quite a few plugins that don’t apply when it comes to using the Ford Performance Control in your Bronco Project.   The manual emphasizes laying out the harness before mounting anything, mounting the PCM where the harness reaches comfortably, keeping the power distribution box within about 60 inches of the battery, and using a **return-style fuel system* with the automatic controls pack.

Here’s how Would simplify it.

 Phase 1 – Before the engine goes in

  • Install the engine and 6R80.
  • Install the exhaust manifolds/headers.
  • Install the starter.
  • Mount the transmission crossmember.
  • Decide where the PCM will live (many Bronco builders mount it on the passenger inner fender or behind the glove box).
  • Decide where the fuse/power distribution box will mount.

 

Don’t permanently mount any electronics until you’ve laid the harness over the engine once.

Phase 2 – Lay out the Ford harness

The Ford harness is basically plug-and-play.

Start at the PCM.

Then route:

  • Injectors
  • Coil packs
  • Throttle body
  • MAF
  • O2 sensors
  • Alternator
  • Starter trigger
  • 6R80 transmission connector

Everything only fits one place.

Leave all zip ties loose until everything is connected.

Phase 3 – Mount the major components

Secure:

  • PCM
  • Power Distribution Box
  • OBD-II connector (under the dash)
  • Accelerator pedal

The electronic accelerator pedal is critical. Mount it so it has full travel without contacting the floor.

Phase 4 – The Bronco connections (this is the part most people overthink)

The Ford harness only needs a handful of connections to the Bronco.

Battery

Heavy positive cable

↓

Power Distribution Box

Heavy ground

↓

Engine block

↓

Battery

↓

Body

Good grounds solve many swap issues.

 

 Ignition

The harness needs:

  • Constant 12V
  • Key-on 12V
  • Start signal

Your Bronco ignition switch provides these.

Fuel Pump

The Ford PCM controls the fuel pump relay.

You do **not** wire the pump directly to the ignition.

Instead:

PCM

↓

Fuel Pump Relay

↓

Pump

 

 

 Cooling Fan

One wire from the control pack turns an electric fan relay on and off.

No thermostatic switch is needed.

—

 Reverse Lights

These stay with the Bronco chassis wiring.

—

Neutral Safety

The 6R80 range sensor handles this.

Many aftermarket shifters (Lokar, Winters, etc.) also provide neutral safety and reverse-light switches, depending on how you configure the transmission.

## Phase 5 – Fluids

Fill:

  • Engine oil
  • Coolant
  • 6R80 transmission
  • Power steering (if used)

Prime the fuel system before attempting to start.

—

Phase 6 – First Startup

Before turning the key:

✔ Battery fully charged

✔ Grounds tight

✔ Fuel pressure present

✔ Throttle pedal connected

✔ MAF connected

✔ O2 sensors connected

✔ Transmission plugged in

✔ Air intake installed

The Ford calibration expects the MAF sensor installed. Don’t try to start it with an open throttle body.

Things you can mostly ignore in the manual

Unless your Bronco has these features, you can skip:

  • Clutch switch (manual transmission only)
  • EPAS wiring
  • Optional supercharger connector
  • Mustang body wiring
  • Cruise control
  • Air conditioning (the base control pack does not support it)
  • Manual-transmission sections

 

Recommended installation order

1. Install engine and transmission.
2. Install cooling system.
3. Install exhaust.
4. Lay the Ford harness on the engine.
5. Mount PCM.
6. Mount Power Distribution Box.
7. Connect all engine sensors.
8. Install the accelerator pedal.
9. Wire battery, ignition, starter, and fuel pump.
10. Install OBD-II port.
11. Fill fluids.
12. Perform first startup.
13. Verify transmission operation.
14. Finish looming and securing the wiring.

 

Here’s the simplified version of the 16-pin Interface Connector.

Wire Color Function Connect To
Red Battery Power (12V Constant) Battery or starter solenoid BAT terminal (fused)
Black Ground Chassis/Engine Ground
Light Green Ignition Run (12V) Ignition switch RUN position
Dark Green Start Signal Ignition switch START position
Light Blue Fuel Pump Relay Output Fuel pump relay trigger or fuel pump circuit
Green Check Engine Light (MIL) Optional dash warning light
Orange/White A/C Request Optional A/C switch
Brown/White Tach Output Factory or aftermarket tachometer
Yellow/White Vehicle Speed Output Optional speedometer/cruise control
Gray/Red Brake Switch Input Required for proper 6R80 operation
Purple/White Reverse Signal Optional reverse light interface
Others Not used in most Bronco swaps Cap and secure

Required connections

For a basic running Bronco, these are the only wires that are typically required:

  • ✅ Battery Power
  • ✅ Ground
  • ✅ Ignition (RUN)
  • ✅ Starter (START)
  • ✅ Fuel Pump
  • ✅ Brake Switch (recommended for 6R80)
  • ✅ Check Engine Light (recommended for diagnostics)
  • ✅ Tachometer (optional but useful)

Everything else—including injectors, coils, O2 sensors, drive-by-wire throttle, transmission, MAF, crank/cam sensors, and cooling fan control—plugs directly into the Ford Performance engine harness.

Typical Bronco Wiring

Early Bronco Ignition Switch

BAT ----------------------> Battery

RUN ----------------------> Light Green (Ignition)

START --------------------> Dark Green (Crank)

Battery ------------------> Red (Constant 12V)

Frame Ground -------------> Black

Fuel Pump Relay ----------> Light Blue

Brake Switch -------------> Gray/Red

Tach ---------------------> Brown/White

CEL ----------------------> Green

****Some exceptions can apply depending upon the Generation Coyote and Transmission type.