Exterior Semi-Tech General discussion of exterior for the Ford Ranger.

Taillight Question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 01-12-2009
GR8COM's Avatar
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Icon5 Taillight Question

I have a 2007 Ranger, my question is on the tail lights on the very bottom is a red area with no bulb in it but there is if I remember correctly the cut out for a bulb with tape or something over it. If I were to put a bulb in there (thinking LED "strobe" kit for work) in there there is nothing else blocking the light correct?

Thanks for any help

ETA: Picture of tail lights the red area under the reverse lights is what I am talking about

Name:  CIMG0482-1.jpg
Views: 87
Size:  146.3 KB
 

Last edited by GR8COM; 01-12-2009 at 12:31 PM. Reason: add picture
  #2  
Old 01-12-2009
taknotes's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: nc
Posts: 2,104
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
that is a reflector, bulbs in there do not do well, ask therangerofdanger
 
  #3  
Old 01-12-2009
GR8COM's Avatar
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Alright so I would be better putting these lights in the reverse lights then huh?
 
  #4  
Old 01-12-2009
taknotes's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: nc
Posts: 2,104
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
if all you are wanting is a stobe (for firefighting i presume) why not just make your brake lights stobe if that is possible...just those on the bottom are EXTREMELY hard to see..tony has his turn signals hooked in that spot on his truck and you can barely see the light go on and off unless you're looking at it
 
  #5  
Old 01-12-2009
GR8COM's Avatar
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Yeah I am getting the new Whelen Vertex LED lights and they are going to the rear or possibly up front in the fogs not sure yet just checking on the tail light for placement.
 
  #6  
Old 01-12-2009
taknotes's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: nc
Posts: 2,104
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
if it were me, i would want my strobes in the front so that people i come up on know that i am coming instead of the people i've already passed
 
  #7  
Old 01-12-2009
TrePaul86's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Gresham, OR
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Mine has a 13SMT red LED in that spot linked to the parking lights... Looks sweet at night.
 
  #8  
Old 01-12-2009
GR8COM's Avatar
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
It will be a four corner set up when done so when I respond to scene I have some decent coverage 360.

Trevor what is the link to your post with pictures I remember seeing them....
 
  #9  
Old 01-12-2009
crazymikey's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: your mom
Posts: 4,008
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Mike have you tried any of STL's lights?

https://storesense2.megawebservers.c...=Strobe%20Kits

If you're doing the stobes for emergency purposes, definetly mount them in the brake/running light area of your tail light. If you want white lights, which would also be good, put them in the reverse lights. How about just some rear window mounted stobes?

Check out STL's products, they have some super sweet bumper and grille mounted LEDs. These guys make some sick lights.

edit: what about mounting some small LEDs in the bottoms of your ext cab windows for side visibility. You have the roof mounted light already dont you?
 
  #10  
Old 01-12-2009
crazymikey's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: your mom
Posts: 4,008
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
  #11  
Old 01-12-2009
TrePaul86's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Gresham, OR
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
I'll see if I can find the pics when I get home and post them up. If not, I can take some new ones later.
 
  #12  
Old 01-12-2009
DSFD506's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Anderson, SC
Posts: 704
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I have my strobes in the 4 corners like you are talking about doing plus 2 more in front in driving lights. For the rear it would be best to put them in the brake portion just because there's more coverage and better to see. IMO it's better to have more lighting in the back than front when parked on scene. I thought about putting them in the factory fog lights but don't think there's enuff room...I could be wrong though. GR8COM are you planning to put them in the corners ? If so you will melt the lenses eventually. Took a while for mine but one is slightly melted.
 
  #13  
Old 01-12-2009
GR8COM's Avatar
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by DSFD506
GR8COM are you planning to put them in the corners ? If so you will melt the lenses eventually. Took a while for mine but one is slightly melted.
No worries about melting here because they are LED hideaways and not strobes. So they will probably be going red tail light section in the rear and not sure where up front yet. I am trying to stick with all LEDs for current draw.

These are what I am getting:

http://www.galls.com/style.html?asso...og&style=GR282
 

Last edited by GR8COM; 01-12-2009 at 04:23 PM. Reason: website add
  #14  
Old 01-12-2009
DSFD506's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Anderson, SC
Posts: 704
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by GR8COM
No worries about melting here because they are LED hideaways and not strobes. So they will probably be going red tail light section in the rear and not sure where up front yet. I am trying to stick with all LEDs for current draw.

These are what I am getting:

http://www.galls.com/style.html?asso...og&style=GR282
First time I've seen those. Haven't been keeping up with the LED/Strobe lately. I bought a pair of Blazer driving lights and replaced the bulb with the strobe tube. Made my own light tabs and stuck them in the front. Looks fine to me and boy are they bright. I thought about buying some similar ones in the link below and cutting my side mirrors and putting them on there. Kinda like how the crown vics have the strobes that replace half the mirror.

http://www.sirennet.com/newwhtisuled.html
 
  #15  
Old 01-12-2009
crazymikey's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: your mom
Posts: 4,008
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Originally Posted by GR8COM
No worries about melting here because they are LED hideaways and not strobes. So they will probably be going red tail light section in the rear and not sure where up front yet. I am trying to stick with all LEDs for current draw.

These are what I am getting:

http://www.galls.com/style.html?asso...og&style=GR282
Those are pretty sweet. Definetly wont harm your corner lights then if they're leds.

I agree though, you really want lots of warning visibility on the back and side of the vehicle. Ontop of the strobes in the tails, I'd defetly look into a directional or deck light for the rear window.

As you know, the majority of emergency vehicle impacts are from the rear.
 
  #16  
Old 01-12-2009
GR8COM's Avatar
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Yeah I actually traded a directional bar for these I have a roof light and then some other LEDS I am going to install when the weather gets nice again. Sucks having no where to work on things unless the weather is nice.
 
  #17  
Old 01-12-2009
crazymikey's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: your mom
Posts: 4,008
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
well the truck's paint is bright enough to stand out lol.

But yeah,visibility is the first key to safety.

What do you use your vehicle for? Do you actually respond on call to scenes with it?
 
  #18  
Old 01-12-2009
GR8COM's Avatar
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We are volunteer here and sometimes because I am a Reserve Officer with my PD I have to use it for traffic control more or less block off a street. I also use my truck as my demonstration unit because I do some intalls for Volunteers up here. The yellow stands out amazing in the fog I sometimes want to put my sunglasses on driving it because it is so bright. LOL
 
  #19  
Old 01-12-2009
crazymikey's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: your mom
Posts: 4,008
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
hahaha. That's cool. That would be crazy if they let you use it for highway patrol.

"yeah,so I got pulled over by this cop driving a yellow ranger. wtf?"
 
  #20  
Old 01-12-2009
DSFD506's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Anderson, SC
Posts: 704
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by crazymikey
hahaha. That's cool. That would be crazy if they let you use it for highway patrol.

"yeah,so I got pulled over by this cop driving a yellow ranger. wtf?"
Yeah unfortunately if that happened he would be sitting in the back of that patrol car lol
 
  #21  
Old 01-12-2009
crazymikey's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: your mom
Posts: 4,008
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Not so funny meow is it?
 
  #22  
Old 01-12-2009
GR8COM's Avatar
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I think it would be funny to bad I don't live on the coast and could just turn it into a Lifeguard truck. But no I am professional with all my equipment and know the out come of using in the wrong situations.


Because for some reason this is where my truck always ends up when I am at work....Thinking it wants to be black and white like it's friends....LOL

Name:  CIMG0537.jpg
Views: 47
Size:  116.3 KB
 

Last edited by GR8COM; 01-13-2009 at 09:20 AM.
  #23  
Old 01-12-2009
TrePaul86's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Gresham, OR
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Here's mine:

Name:  IMG_2931.jpg
Views: 60
Size:  104.8 KB

Name:  IMG_2932.jpg
Views: 61
Size:  174.1 KB

Name:  IMG_2933.jpg
Views: 49
Size:  155.4 KB

Name:  IMG_2934.jpg
Views: 48
Size:  136.5 KB

Just running lights... No brake lights.
 
  #24  
Old 01-12-2009
DSFD506's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Anderson, SC
Posts: 704
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Tre, you're saying you have no brake lights ?
 
  #25  
Old 01-12-2009
TrePaul86's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Gresham, OR
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
No I was talking about the brightness. I have brake lights. In that picture is just running lights.
 


Quick Reply: Taillight Question



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:23 PM.