From reading around here, it seems like from 2003 to 2004 there was a substantial change in the electrical system as a whole - I'm not sure exactly what that means, but many descriptions of modifications of the electrical system usually state something like "the 2004 and on electrical is different".

Since I have an 07 on the way, I'm wondering what this one's electrical system will be most like - have they changed anything, if anybody knows?

Little things - like getting the fog lights to stay on when the high-beams are on - these things would be nice to have, just wondering if the process to get these mods done will have to be reinvented or not.

EDIT
PS - Since I plan on installing a few electircal items, if knowing more about the 07 electrical system for the forums would be helpful, I can try to figure out some differences - I just need some direction on what to look for, or what documentation or manuals I would need to better understand the 07 electrical system. Let me know.

 

Having the fog lamps to stay on with the high beams is illegal in California but I'm not sure in other states.

As far as new wiring, the fog lamp switch has been integrated into the headlight switch. So you would pull the headlight switch out to turn the fogs on instead of pushing a separate switch like in my 03. Not sure what else has changed though.

 

You are correct that things changed a lot electrically in 2004. From 2004~2006, there are very few differences.

2007 appears to be a close relative of the 2004~2006 Rangers but there have been significant changes. I am just getting familiar with the 2007 schematics but I've noticed that there is a completely new airbag system and the foglamp switch and related circuitry have been revised in a way that would require a new mod.

IMO, the best source for electrical info is the Ford factory Wiring Manual for your year and model. They cost $60 new from the publisher (Helm, Inc.) but can be found on eBay for under $20.

 

So, bob - do you have a 2007 wiring manual then? I figured I would likely need to get a wiring manual to learn the dirty details. Will be on the look out for one.

If the fog light switch it the style where you pull out on it for the fog lights, my Focus had one like it - for the Focus, the mod to keep the fog lights illuminated was similar to the one on old Rangers I believe - where a short jumper was used at the relay location underhood. Possible the same thing would work on these?

 

On prior years, there was a way to bend a pin or add a simple jumper to do a foglamp mod. For 2007, it looks like interrupting the high beam 'sense' directly would have to be done by modding a trace on the Low Current Board inside the Smart Junction Box.

I don't have a 2007 to look at, so I don't know if attempting the above would be practical or smart. A mistake modding the board could be very costly to fix. I think that a safer way to do a foglamp mod would be by using a standalone relay or 2 with some rewiring outside of the SJB. You'd have to ask yourself if it would really be worth the effort though.

 

The necessity of it is low, no doubt - and though I'm sure the 'sense'-thing is clear to you, it's pretty foreign to me; not sure what you mean. Last thing I want to do is short out major components of the new truck. From what you are saying though, with out understanding the details, this once simple mod seems to be quite complicated - I'm probably not going to worry about it, not a big deal to me.

 

it seems that the GEM is a little updated. and things like the fog mod have been taken into concideration at ford. or its just more efficient.
I believe what he ment was you would have to do a little circuit work. adding a diode or resistor or with the High beam mod would need a transistor. Right???

Actually has any one taken one appart to look at it yet?

 

I bet some ******* at Ford caught on to what people were doing and made the change................