How-To author: dirtybird819

Original thread: https://www.ranger-forums.com/f59/ho...ht-swap-81723/


Let the modding Begin!!

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I swapped out my stock '04 solid red third brake light (TBL) for a '00 cargo/TBL that i got from chevyslayer925. I loved the cargo lights on my '93 i had, and was disappointed when i realized my new '04 didn't have it. so i swapped them out. Here are before and after pics


Before:







After:







Time: about 60 min

Tools required: wire cutters/crimper's, screw drivers (I used a cordless drill for everything), electrical tape, 4 ft of 12g stranded wire, wire connectors (t-tap or scotchlok for brake light end and a ring crimp terminal for the dome light end), a fish tape to fish through the head liner out the back of the cab.








You will also need the three bulb wire harness with the TBL, the harness for the solid red TBL are a single bulb setup.

Also I forgot to take pics of certain steps, so you'll have to use our imagination for some of the steps, sorry guys.


Step 1: First thing I did was remove the brake light and dis connected it from the harness coming from the truck.

Step 2: Remove the dome light

Step 3: Shove the fish tape or flexible tool retriever through the opening where the TBL use to be till it comes out the dome light opening, grab one end of the jumper wire with the tool retriever or fish tape and pull it back out. you should have a foot of wire hanging out both ends.

Step 4: Crimp the ring terminal on the end sticking out the dome light hole, and feed it through the opening in the dome light backing like so:









Step 5: Find the screw that screws into the live wire coming from the dash. Its Blk/Lt Blue, and its the screw thats toward the back of the truck or the side with the single screw. Feed the screw through the terminal and tighten all the screws up. pull all the remaining slack out the TBL opening






Step 6: Now trim the extra wire down to appropriate length ( i left a little for room) and crimp the t-tap to the Blk/pink and the new wire from the dome ( sorry no pics of this step i forgot to take a pic)

Step 7: wrap black electrical tape around the connections so if it leaks you wont have any shorts

Step 7: Re-install the new TBL with cargo lights and try them out, if all goes well you should have cargo light shinning in your bed when you open the door, turn the dimmer switch all the way up, or unlock your truck with the key less entry.









I'm not very good at doing how-to's, but couldn't find one on it. Several people said there was.

I hope this helps someone out. Let me know if you think i left anything out or have any better suggestions

 

Great write up...Helped a lot,got my cargo lights up and running thanks to your great write up...Appreciate it...Bob C. of Indiana

 

stupid question, but will this installation tip work for a 2000 SuperCab?

 

I believe your year already has the wire...

 

all you have to do for the 2000 is get a new 3rd brake light with the 3 bulb harness and it will plug right in and work.

 

This is by far one of the easiest mods to do and I think one of the most useful. The light in the bed at night is excellent, and I bought my light used on e-bay for $15. Install took about 20 mins. Enjoy.

 

I had to run a power wire to my 2004 but still very easy and a great mod,for sure

 

This may be what I'm looking for to get my dome light rewired. It's either that or replace the GEM or SJB. This thread is for a different issue but it offers some insight about my wiring. I'm also wiring up a right footwell LED and a separate dome LED. Thanks!