okay heres the deal, on my truck i have the third brake light that is solid red with no cargo lights. im wanting to swap it out for the one with cargo lights. i am wanting to know if it is just a direct swap where i can unplug mine and just plug in the new one. any help on this? i feel like it should be relatively easy.

 

04 + Rangers have to run a wire to the interior dome light yours is a direct plug in

 

okay cool thanks

junk yard here i come!

 

If you get one with cargo lamps, make sure to get the 3 bulb harness to replace your 1 bulb harness. roll up on your dimmer switch the same 'click' to turn on your dome light, and the cargo's will light up...so long you installed the 3 bulb harness.

options that fit rangers are rangers, explorer sport tracs, and superduty's

 

okay I'll look for that too

 

I'd buy a brand new one. Look on eBay or tituswillfordparts.com. You may also be able to get one from Certifit. Any new ones should come with the three bulb harness you need.

The reason I would buy new is because of the gasket on the light. It is foam and it flattens out over time, which can cause it to leak. When you go into the junkyard, there is no telling if you will get a good one or not. I bought a junkyard light for my old Ranger, and sure enough when I sprayed water on it after installing it I noticed a leak. If the junkyard is your only option, get a light from the newest truck you can find.

 

Gaskets (Seals) are easy to fix on the 3rd Brakelight housings.
Simply go to Home Depot or Lowes and get some "Sponge Rubber Weatherstrip". You can get it in various lengths, thickness and colors.

I got the 1/4"x1"x10ft roll (for other things as well) and cut as necessary to form around the inside edge of the light housing. It will then be spongy when installing the light and once screwed down completely, it will be watertight.

 

It's a cool feature to have, but in all honesty, I have never used it yet. It would be cool to have it come on when a door is opened like the F150's.
I have the LED one, but I got it for the clear smoked lens really.

 

On the 04 + it will come on with the door since you have to tap the dome light

 

well if the 03's come on when you turn the switch for the dome wouldnt they come on when the door is open? If not how do you make it do that?

 

Move the cargo lamp hot to the dome light.