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One thing to note that I discovered when switching over to LED bulbs in my '99. If the bulb has a red base, it is polarized and extremely hard to find. I was unable to find one locally at any store and ended up going to a JY and pulling a couple. And I discovered if you remove the bulb, it won't work period after replacing just the bulb in the socket. YMMV.
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 #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
Does anyone happen to know the bulb socket type? Or will it automatically be the right one with the lightbulb?
thanks
Also, removing a small plastic section of theKneePanel thats unnecessarily entangled with the HoodRelease
Handle (circled in red in the pics below) allows easier access to the InstrumentCluster & SteeringColumn
components; the 4 UpperStabs & 2 LowerBolts are retained+adequate for mounting+securing the Panel.
Excellent tutorial. Very well done.
I had to replace the bulbs for my 2000 Ranger XLT back in 2023.
I see your automatic is equipped with a tach, of course my 5 spd manual isn't.
These are the bulbs I used, purchased on Amazon-
