Parting out a vehicle with a failed security/theft system?

So my aunt gave me a free 2001 Ford Explorer bc
it’s anti theft system in the steering wheel failed and
it refuses to start the engine. I believe the issue is
that the sensor in the column no longer works and
it’s not worth replacing. However, I was wondering
if I would be able to transplant the engine, 5.0 v8,
transmission, axles, etc and make it work without
the theft system? The plan is to put everything in an
old scout I have sitting around. Maybe if I put in a
custom(painless) wiring harnesses would I be able
to make the engine and everything work?