I just bought a new neg ground cable from napa auto and its the same cable as the original one except for its around 1 foot too short so its not gonna make it down to where it grounds the motor by the starter, then over to where it grounds on top of the frame...My question is, can i pick another ground point on the motor and frame from the original ones so I can use this cable? Or is there a specific reason i has to go down by the starter? Thanks

 

I guess you could but why not just go to the dealer and get the correct wire? Why risk having a bad ground and being stranded somewhere.

 

Yea, thats what I was thinking...The dealer wants $120 and I have to buy both wires...Just to double check myself, ground goes from battery term, to frame, to motor (by the starter), then from motor to body, and it connects body to body right or wrong? Thanks

 

I'm not familure with the 2001 but what I usually do anymore is take a picture of the wire connections, drum brakes, etc. before I remove the original parts and use that pic as a reference if needed. If you establish good solid grounds then you should be ok. I know that Ford did change some starter/ battery cable designs mid MY as my 97 was one of them. I have "reengineered" more than a few components in my time for sure but just use common sense.