Hey everyone, I'm a newbie to the forum as well as all things wiring in cars. I've done a lot of low-voltage wiring in businesses (network, TV, etc) so I'm not a complete idiot when it comes to electrical work, but I've never touched it in my truck.

Anyways, I'm starting to work on some mods for my 92 Ranger, the first of which is installing some fog lights on my front bumper. I got em mounted where I wanted, but getting cold feet when trying to start the wiring. (Prepare for the deluge of questions...)

1. Where's the best way to come through the firewall?
2. The wiring diagram that came with the lights says to run 2 wires to the switch in the cab...the red wire coming from the battery has a fuse on it, but I've been reading a lot about relays...is a relay necessary, and if so where should I mount it?
3. Where is the best place to ground everything?

I'm thinking it's pretty safe to follow the instructions for now, and it should be easy to fix if I want to change it in the future...

Thanks in advance!

 

Your 92 has lots of good places to come through the firewall thankfully. If you look on the drivers side firewall in the engine bay their is a square held on by two bolts just below and to the right of the master cylinder. Works as a great place to run wires in. Lots of people suggest relays when wiring lights, but for some lights it isn't necessary. If the instructions say straight wiring is fine, go with that. If you do choose to wire a relay wire it somewhere on the radiator core support near the battery. As for grounding you can tap into the firewall or underneath the dash if you with to use the chassis ground, or run a wire from the battery. Good luck with the install. These are how my Gen II lights came out.

 

I was looking at that metal square just now...I think I'll take it off and see. I've also heard of people poking holes through the hood release hole?

I'm using that spot on the bumper too! I'll let you know how mine turns out...

 

Ok, so I've got the red cable going from the battery to the switch, and the green cable going from the switch to the light. I'm running the green cable out the hole beneath the steering column, then zip-tied onto the wheel-well, then dropping into the frame and popping out right next to the drivers-side light. This seems to keep it away from any hot/moving parts. That okay?

Then I'm thinking about running the red cable behind the engine block...there are some other cables and hoses I'm thinking about zip-tying it to some of those cables and hoses, then come forward and attach it to the battery. Otherwise, I'd have to run it straight forward and figure out how to get it around the radiator, and I don't have that much wire...thoughts?

 

Running it behind the engine will be fine. Just keep the wire high in the engine bay away from high heat sources like exhaust manifolds. If you can maybe use some wire wrap to help protect the wires. If you run out of wire you'll probably have some extra from a different section of the wiring you can use. If not you'll have to but some more and butt connectors. Make sure you take some pics when ur all done.

 

I got it to work!! Pics will come as soon as I find my camera...I'm working on building a custom center console, so my switch is currently dangling out of my dash below the headlight ****. Thanks for the help!!

 

may be a old thread, but where are the pics

 

that member hasnt been on since 12-01-2009 good luck with that

 

Hey guys, sorry I never posted my pics...here's the finished product:

 

That turned out nice man.

 

Lol I guess I woke him up, nice pic, do u have any of the mod you were working on?

 

Nevermine I see them now, Nice!