OK, so it looks like I've got it solved. On the weekend, I lucked out and scored a used FICM,PCM and glowplug controller at my favorite junkyard - off an 04 E350. As soon as I plugged in the FICM, I showed power to everywhere I needed it. The engine cranked right up and ran smooth.

So... it seems that the re-man FICM that was on the truck was not programmed. Further research tells me that the FICM, once it gets a signal from the PCM, controls the high amperage relay to the high load parts of the FICM. The FICM esssentially controls itself...

My Ford parts man tells me that some come back from re-man programmed and some don't, but to plan on programming anyway. I guess it depends on who you buy them from.

Thanks to all who replied and helped me wrap my noodle around how this thing works.

 

Good deal, glad you got it going

 

Nice! Good to know for future reference as far as the relay operation goes.

Remans from Ford are always not programmed, but if you get it "reman'd" somewhere else like FICMrepair.com they're still have the factory programming.