You could also add an on/off switch to manually disable the AC... I did this and there is a thread on here somewhere. As I recall our AC comes on with EVERYTHING minus the foot or the head setting on the HVAC. I want to say I cut the purple wire on the HVAC control, added a simple toggle switch to that wire, which enables me to manually turn the AC compressor from cycling on ALL normally on setting for the air direction.
IE: If I have the setting on head/feet for air. By default Ford has the AC compressor on EVEN if I have the dial turned up for hot air. By flipping my switch off, the feet/air setting no longer cycles the AC compressor.
I know this changed with later models however my 01' and your 02' should be the same in that regards to the ac manual switch.
Here you go: Found the How To:
https://www.ranger forums .com/engine...itch-mod-8210/
Note that I added an LED inline with the switch. When my switch is UP and the AC compressor is on, the LED is lit. When I flip the switch down to the off position, the LED is not illuminated indicating the compressor will not come on/is off.
Hope that helps.
-Nigel