Follow these instructions, and pictures to change the instrument cluster bulbs on a Ranger (mine is a 1999, I'm not sure on what years will be the same).
It takes 6 194LL light bulbs, go ahead and change all 6 while the instrument cluster is out.



Step #1 Using a 7mm socket, remove the 2 screws holding the radio bezel








Step #2 Pull radio bezel out slightly





Step #3 Using 7mm socket, remove 4 screws holding kick-panel below steering wheel. Note: 2 screws are under hood release handle














Step #4 Drop hood release bracket and pull kick panel out









Step #5 Using 8mm socket, remove 4 of the 5 screws holding kick panel metal brace














Step #6 Just loosen 5th screw in kick panel metal brace enough to drop brace to clear bottom 2 screws in instrument cluster bezel








Step #7 Using 7mm socket, remove bottom 2 screws in instrment cluster bezel








Step #8 Using 7mm socket, remove top 3 screws in instrument cluster bezel











Step #9 With tilt steering wheel, drop to lowest position. Also pull tranny shifter to "1" position (if automatic). Note: Make sure emergency brake is set! Pull Instrument cluster out from the
top











Step #10 Using 7mm socket, remove 4 screws holding instrment cluster














Step #11 Gently pull instrument cluster out from the right side, far enough to reach the 3 electrical connectors. Electrical connectors have release tabs to push in before pulling
connectors:











Step #12 Instrument cluster lights are in black caps. Turn caps counter-clockwise to remove light bulbs



































Step #13 Light bulbs pull out of black caps








Reassemble in opposite direction

 

95-09 is what this how-to covers.

 

I meant to post a night shot of the "stock" instrument panel:

 

its fixed for the most part, now the far left is out, I'm not gonna bother with it anymore...

anyways, here's the view of the 04+ clusters for you guys doing replacements...

 

another helpful post. thanks guys.

 

what are the other types of bulbs in there? Because I think it's just 194 and one other type (the white ones) right? Thanks alex

 

awesome write up just did it easy as pie thank you!

 

I'm wondering the same things. Though my Ranger is a little older (97), it uses two different bulbs. 194 for general gauge backlighting and many tiny bulbs for each of the service lights (ABS, Check Engine, Seatbelt, etc,etc). Anyone know what size these tiny bulbs are?

EDIT: Additional searching found me a thread on another forum where someone said they are 74's. They certainly look correct. Anybody?

 

You are correct I did a swap a couple weeks back, the other bulbs are 74s.

 

Thanks man. It was so straight forward. I used the 194's cause they were the highest rated lights at the store.

 

Yeah it's super easy! No problem brotha!

 

thanks for the great write up. knocked this out in ten minutes

 

i tried to do this in my 2008 and when i pulled the cluster it didnt have 194 it had these little bulbs.

anyone know what bulb this is and where i can get a led for it?

 

it's one of these. not sure which one.

http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-b...nstrument.html

 

the wedge style bulb are #74 for late models 2006 up. from superbrightLEDs use 74xHP3
brian

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/190671182260...t_12094wt_1270

Just bought these will try to get them in the dash as soon as they arrive and get pics for you all. Should look pretty cool when done

 

my 92 was all 194s........ some where in the neighborhood of 12 for all the bulb positions. I keep a stock of them for all of my cars so I have LEDs in all of them now. Looks so much better.

 

Great instructions and helped us solve our problems with burnt-out bulbs in our 2000 Ranger. Thanks!

Unfortunately, during the bulb replacement something broke with the shift indicator, and I did not catch it until the dash was reassembled. Something else to fix now, and this one I really don't like :(

 

Great info thanks.

 

I have a 1999 Ford Ranger 3.0l v6 and i need to know how many bulbs i need for my instrument cluster. I do not have a rpm gauge. So if someone could tell me what i need that would be great thanks!

 

Still should be 6. Buy 6 or 8 and return any extras. Or keep them around....your glove box, dome light, front corner lights, and license plate lights all take the same clear #194 bulb as your gauge cluster.

 

Wow, fantastic write up and photos! Worked exactly as you stated on my '99.

 

.

 

Here are the LED polarities for my 1998 ford ranger.
https://flic.kr/p/qvUC9i

 

Ok So I don't think my Dash lights are the problem for my truck, 98 ranger. They all went out at the same time and weren't really showing any fade. I do not have fuse #11 under the hood so that shouldn't be the problem if it has worked the whole time. I also replaced fuse 26 in the drivers side door. I need to check the other fuses in the glove box.

If it is not the fuses or the bulbs, what is the name of the relay I need to replace?