Hello every one I am a little new to the forums so , if this is in the wrong place let me know.
I bought a 2010 Ranger XLT 4X4 about 3 months ago. I am disappointed with the conveniences that it has compared to the S-10 pickup that a traded in. I love the looks and style of the exterior of the Ranger but , I assumed on the interior and conveniences that came with the XLT and made an *** of myself. LOL ... Any how I was wanting to put some after items in it and would like the OHC with Temp , Compass and map lights but , I don't know what year Explorer would fit in the 2010 Ranger other than a 2010 Explorer. and there are not any of them in the JY yet. I also would like to install the DSL and auto lights but I am guessing that would be a little harder task seeing that they changed the wiring color codes and the headlight switch wiring in 07+ . I have been looking all over the threads and the problem I am seeing is the 2010 is to new. I liked the Thread on the HOW-TO install the auto dimming mirror with the auto headlights I'd love to do that but , no one has really done much with modifications from 07 to currant Rangers. The wiring color codes and switches are different. So I am looking for some help on the years I can go back to look in JY's for the parts. And what vehicles I can get the parts from that would fit without very much modifications.. I even thought about wiring the map lights to a delay timer so the interior lights will stay on a few seconds after the door is closed so you can see the ignition switch to put your key in. Just a few of the conveniences that I liked on my S-10 that Ford forgot to put in. I am very comfortable with wiring and fixing things so It is a do-it-yourself project for the winter.

Thanks for looking. and Thanks for any help.

Work to Live / Don't Live to Work

 

Welcome to R-F John. Sounds like you've got quite the wish list. Ford has been pushing the little Ranger closer to the chopping block year after year. As the years pass, we lose options, models, and many nice features we as Ranger owners have become accustom to. When looking at new Rangers off the Ford site, we can see how little there is to chose from. The wiring and ease of old mods have also become very difficult as you have mentioned. Simple wiring was really hacked up by the introduction of the SJB some time in 04 or 05. I'm sure a few of the electrical guru's on here will chime in regarding a few of your intended mods though.
Again, welcome to the site. Hope you enjoy.

 

If you buy an OHC and post pics of the wrong harness and what you wanna do in the appropriate section, there's a few members (such as rwenzing) who can help you out cause they're genius' with electrical and mechanical modifications.

 

Thanks for the info guys. I heard that Ford was probably discontinuing the Ranger in 2012. I am starting to think that I will let well enough alone and in 2 years get rid of it and go back to a chevy. At least they are more comfortable to sit in and have all the better conveniences. Heck I only put between 3,000 to 3,500 miles a year on it so it will make some one a good low mile vehicle. Thanks again guys.

 

They need suckers to help dig em outta debt. Enjoy

 

actually is the end of 2011


and welcome to r-f

 

Yup, the rumors I heard is that the only small truck you can buy in a few years will be something used, except for the Taco it still sells pretty good. The Taco out sells the Tundra.

 

your 2010 ranger is just like a 1998 ranger and the dash n door panels are even older then that. a 2010 explorer ohc would not fit, you need to look for like 96-02? expo ohc. as for the wiring since your competent id say buy a multimeter and have fun. i had to make my own schematic and pull all the panels to wire my system up because no one had any diagrams out for it yet.

 

The thought of driving a chevy I looked at one before I bought my Ranger, the interior just looked cheap (that's just me, I'm a Ford Guy). Granted the Ranger has not had a MAJOR updated in over 18 years, that beening said I bought the Ranger, Welcome :

 

Thanks on that info Mike ... That gives me a few things that I can look at. I went to my local Ford dealership where I bought this Ranger and they gave me copies of the ignition switch from a 2004 and my 2010 and the wiring is completely different. It looks like in the 2010 they have different color coded wires and they seem to just go to relays instead of going straight to the lighting of the vehicle. It also has less wires in it so that tells me that 1 wire is probably going to a relay that will turn on all the lights instead of 1 wire going to the headlights 1 wire going to the tail and marker lights. they made things a little harder for the do-it-yourself type person.
And as far as Bill on the Chevy. It is all in what you like. While I love the looks of the outside of my Ranger. The interior of the XLT is just a base Ranger with a few power upgrades. The seats are no different and just as uncomfortable as the base model. In the Colorado it is more comfortable and they have a lot of conveniences plus you can order it in a couple different colors. Not just Gray and Black. It reminds me of the old Henry Ford adds of the early 1900s. You can get it in any color you want as long as it's BLACK.
The sad thing is these days as consumers you have to take what they offer. It would be nice to have the looks and style of the Ranger XLT on the outside. And have the comfort and conveniences of the Colorado on the inside. But those day of ordering a vehicle the way you want it ended in the late 70's

 

Ford is cleaning out the supply bines with the last few years of the Ranger. I they wanted to end production of the Ranger in 2009, but keep it around with a few options until the new F150 V-6 hit the dealers. So if you don't like what they offer don't buy it. Again as for the chevy I'm a Ford guy, would not even take a Government Motors vehicle for free, but that is just me I'm weird like that.

 

Ranger seats suck but so do the Colorados. I have a 2007 Colorado Crew cab and I swear the front seats are identical to what was in my 2004 Ranger. If you want better seats Explorer/Sport tracs are the way to go.

 

Thanks Mike ... I'm writing things down so I can start investigating how to make it more comfortable. I would like to put in the buckets with a short center console. I will look in some local JY to try to find some of the suggestions. Like I said before. I love the looks and style of the outside but the inside has very little to be desired. The 2000 S10 pickup I traded only had 37,000 miles on it so , if I can make this a little more comfortable with a few nice options in it I just might keep it..

 

I understand completely. My old 04 Ranger was a 2 door extended cab 4x4 manual windows, manual locks, manual tranny, a bench seat and vinyl flooring. (God I loved that vinyl flooring) My friend had a low mileage 03 ZR2 and the interior was so much nicer looking, loaded with options, and just had a better over all feel. I was slightly jealous of his interior but as time went on and he had more and more crap break while my truck just kept right on going, I was glad I had the little Ford. I finally decided to get me something with power, looks and fancy gadgets so I parted ways with the Ranger and went with the F150. I love it and would never sell this truck.

 

I thought about the F150 but , I need to stay a little smaller incase the wife needs to drive it in an emergency. She can't drive a larger vehicle. so I need to keep it a little to the smaller size. Oh by the way she thinks the comfort of the seats suck to.

 

.Hey Mike did you see this thread written after I wrote this that says the Expo OHC might not work. I would think that the 2010 and 2011 Rangers are the same inside. Or maybe it just looks different holding it up to the headliner. But, maybe installed it might be right. I'm like Alex I don't want to cut up the headliner unless I am sure it will work.