I prefer the older (1999 and before as far as I know) tail lights that have amber turn signals and I'm hoping I can replace OEM tail lights with a set from of those earlier versions. My Ranger is a 2002 model. It is a 2-bulb system. The earlier model tail lights are a 3-bulb system. ... How difficult is it to convert a 2-bulb system to a 3-bulb system. (Isolating the turn signal to it's own lead, while the running light & brake light still share one.) ... It just occurred to me this might also be relevant: Are the tail lights the same size and shape when comparing those from a 1999 model to a 2002 model? (They appear to be the same in pictures online. But are they?)

 

The tail lights are the same shape and size from 1993-2011. Can't help you on the wiring.

 

+1 ^^^ lens can be swapped

2000 and up Rangers use whats called a 2 wire system, brake and turn share one filament on each side
1993-1999 used a 3 wire system, one brake wire and a separate turn wire for each side


You can get the tail light wiring harness with the lens's from a 1993 to 1999 Ranger at a wrecking yard, or you can run 2 new wires, one to each tail light lens for the new turn signal bulbs, you need the sockets for the bulbs as well

Google: 2 wire to 3 wire converter

These are used to hook up 3 wire trailer lights to the 2 wire systems, made to be mounted at rear of trucks so weather proof

You will cut the 2 current brake/turn wires and hook the wires coming from the front of truck to the Left and Right IN on the converter
Then hook the 2 cut wires that go to the lights to the ONE brake light wire on converter
So brake lights are done

Now run a new wire to each turn signal bulb, grounds are already at each lens, just splice into it to ground the new bulb