Change the '93-'99 taillights to a '00-'05 style, taillights with no seperate turnsig
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Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1
Likes: 4
From: Charlestown, IN
Change the '93-'99 taillights to a '00-'05 style, taillights with no seperate turnsig
A STEP-BY-STEP WAY TO DO THIS:
If you don't like the look of the taillights in the 1993 to 1999 Rangers, the ones with the seperate turnsignal bulb, then I have the solution. This will convert your taillights to 2000 or newer taillights, the ones with the turnsignal intergrated into the taillight/brake bulb. This takes care of 2 things if you don't have a trailer plug. TO INSURE PROPER FUNCTION, FOLLOW EVERY STEP!!
1. First thing you need to do is to go get yourself a trailer wiring harness kit (the kit with the "T" connector that converts the 5 wire setup to a 4 wire for the trailer lights). I got a Hoppy brand from AutoZone for $30.00. I am sure that you could get them off eBay for cheaper. *IF YOU ALREADY HAVE ONE SKIP THIS STEP!!! YOU ALREADY HAVE WHAT YOU NEED FOR THIS STEP!!!*
2. Aquire 2000 or newer set of taillights for your truck. I bought 2006 taillights for mine and paid $140.00 at the local Ford garage. You can get a set of 2000 to 2003 set for about $50.00 at a local salvage yard.
3. Remove the taillights from your truck. Make sure that the light sockets plug into the new taillights.
4. *I believe that the 2000 to 2004 taillights have the same back basket as the 1993 to 1999 taillights IF SO SKIP THIS STEP AND CONTINUE TO STEP 5* The only light socket that you MIGHT have a problem fitting correctly is the reverse light socket. If so, cut the wires to it and the turn signal socket and switch them. Put the turnsignal socket on the reverse wires and the reverse socket on the turn signal wires. DO THIS FOR BOTH SIDES!! MAKE SURE YOU HAVE GOOD CONNECTIONS AND TAPE THE CONNECTIONS TO PREVENT WATER SHORTING OUT YOUR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM!!
5. Tape over the turn signal bulb (WHICH SHOULD STILL BE IN THE LIGHT SOCKET!!) so it cannot be seen blinking. Wire tie it in the bed side so it will not fall out while driving. YOU HAVE TO LEAVE THE OLD TURNSIGNAL SOCKET AND BULB INSTALLED, IF NOT THE TURNSIGNALS WILL FAST BLINK!!
6. Cut the GREEN wire, far enough behind the bulb socket so you can attach it to another wire, hooked to the tail/brake light bulb socket. Tape the end up that goes into the wiring harness because you wont need it anymore. DO THIS FOR BOTH SIDES!!!
7. Unplug the wire connector behind the rear bumper that goes to the taillights and install the "T" trailer harness. After the "T" connector there is 5 wires going to another little black box. That box converts the system to a 4 wire system for the trailer lights. LEAVE IT ATTACHED!!
8. Tap into a turnsignal wire, LEFT or RIGHT, in the trailer plug (AFTER THE LITTLE BLACK BOX THAT CONVERTS IT TO A 4 WIRE SYSTEM!!!) wires and run it to the respective taillight (LEFT TURNSIGNAL WIRE TO THE LEFT TAILLIGHT). Hook this wire into the green wire that comes out of the tail/brake light socket.
9. REPEAT THE LAST STEP FOR THE OTHER LIGHT THAT YOU HAVEN'T DONE!!
10. WIRE TIE ALL LOSE WIRES UP AND OUT OF THE WAY AS YOU ARE DONE WITH THE WIRES!! PUT THE TRAILER PLUG WERE YOU WOULD LIKE IT TO BE FOR EASY ACCESS WHEN YOU DECIDE TO HAUL A TRAILER!!
11. Install the bulb sockets into there correct spot in the new taillights.
12. Install the new taillights.
13. Check all connections and make sure they are connected properly.
14. Test to make sure they work propely.
Now you have different taillights in you Ranger. Personally I didn't like the 1997 taillights and loved the 2006 taillights. I installed the 2006 taillights.
If you don't like the look of the taillights in the 1993 to 1999 Rangers, the ones with the seperate turnsignal bulb, then I have the solution. This will convert your taillights to 2000 or newer taillights, the ones with the turnsignal intergrated into the taillight/brake bulb. This takes care of 2 things if you don't have a trailer plug. TO INSURE PROPER FUNCTION, FOLLOW EVERY STEP!!
1. First thing you need to do is to go get yourself a trailer wiring harness kit (the kit with the "T" connector that converts the 5 wire setup to a 4 wire for the trailer lights). I got a Hoppy brand from AutoZone for $30.00. I am sure that you could get them off eBay for cheaper. *IF YOU ALREADY HAVE ONE SKIP THIS STEP!!! YOU ALREADY HAVE WHAT YOU NEED FOR THIS STEP!!!*
2. Aquire 2000 or newer set of taillights for your truck. I bought 2006 taillights for mine and paid $140.00 at the local Ford garage. You can get a set of 2000 to 2003 set for about $50.00 at a local salvage yard.
3. Remove the taillights from your truck. Make sure that the light sockets plug into the new taillights.
4. *I believe that the 2000 to 2004 taillights have the same back basket as the 1993 to 1999 taillights IF SO SKIP THIS STEP AND CONTINUE TO STEP 5* The only light socket that you MIGHT have a problem fitting correctly is the reverse light socket. If so, cut the wires to it and the turn signal socket and switch them. Put the turnsignal socket on the reverse wires and the reverse socket on the turn signal wires. DO THIS FOR BOTH SIDES!! MAKE SURE YOU HAVE GOOD CONNECTIONS AND TAPE THE CONNECTIONS TO PREVENT WATER SHORTING OUT YOUR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM!!
5. Tape over the turn signal bulb (WHICH SHOULD STILL BE IN THE LIGHT SOCKET!!) so it cannot be seen blinking. Wire tie it in the bed side so it will not fall out while driving. YOU HAVE TO LEAVE THE OLD TURNSIGNAL SOCKET AND BULB INSTALLED, IF NOT THE TURNSIGNALS WILL FAST BLINK!!
6. Cut the GREEN wire, far enough behind the bulb socket so you can attach it to another wire, hooked to the tail/brake light bulb socket. Tape the end up that goes into the wiring harness because you wont need it anymore. DO THIS FOR BOTH SIDES!!!
7. Unplug the wire connector behind the rear bumper that goes to the taillights and install the "T" trailer harness. After the "T" connector there is 5 wires going to another little black box. That box converts the system to a 4 wire system for the trailer lights. LEAVE IT ATTACHED!!
8. Tap into a turnsignal wire, LEFT or RIGHT, in the trailer plug (AFTER THE LITTLE BLACK BOX THAT CONVERTS IT TO A 4 WIRE SYSTEM!!!) wires and run it to the respective taillight (LEFT TURNSIGNAL WIRE TO THE LEFT TAILLIGHT). Hook this wire into the green wire that comes out of the tail/brake light socket.
9. REPEAT THE LAST STEP FOR THE OTHER LIGHT THAT YOU HAVEN'T DONE!!
10. WIRE TIE ALL LOSE WIRES UP AND OUT OF THE WAY AS YOU ARE DONE WITH THE WIRES!! PUT THE TRAILER PLUG WERE YOU WOULD LIKE IT TO BE FOR EASY ACCESS WHEN YOU DECIDE TO HAUL A TRAILER!!
11. Install the bulb sockets into there correct spot in the new taillights.
12. Install the new taillights.
13. Check all connections and make sure they are connected properly.
14. Test to make sure they work propely.
Now you have different taillights in you Ranger. Personally I didn't like the 1997 taillights and loved the 2006 taillights. I installed the 2006 taillights.
Originally Posted by lifted97ranger
i am pretty sure in 2000 they went to a 2 bulb system. i may be wrong it may have been in 2001. someone who knows please set me straight and i will change it.
Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13
Likes: 3
From: Parma Ohio
Or just drill a hole and dremel the notches.
On the 00 tails there is a 3rd chamber they leave closed unlike the 98-99's where the 3rd hole is even on the 2000's they leave a circle mark where the hole would be.
On the 01-05 its 2 cambers I drilled a hole under the brake/turnsignal one for my turnsignal and it works fine it just takes some time.
Yes I have 01+ on my 98 without an issue.
On the 00 tails there is a 3rd chamber they leave closed unlike the 98-99's where the 3rd hole is even on the 2000's they leave a circle mark where the hole would be.
On the 01-05 its 2 cambers I drilled a hole under the brake/turnsignal one for my turnsignal and it works fine it just takes some time.
Yes I have 01+ on my 98 without an issue.
Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13
Likes: 3
From: Parma Ohio
Originally Posted by RAINMAKA
i just have to figure out how to turn my single socket that has my turn signal and brake light into two sockets for the euro tails i bought. for some reason they fit a 03 but made them a 3 bulb set up.
I know I had to dremel and file some slots in the reverse to get mine to fit the 01+ I suggest a file and figure out how much has to be removed or just return them. What model are they?
Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Griswold, CT
Taillights
they gave me two light sockets for each side so im thinking i can just divide the signal and brake light and have two signals and brake lights in each taillight. does this make sense? this is a pic of the wires they gave me, sorry about the quality
they gave me two light sockets for each side so im thinking i can just divide the signal and brake light and have two signals and brake lights in each taillight. does this make sense? this is a pic of the wires they gave me, sorry about the quality
RF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 5,600
Likes: 0
From: Palm Bay, FL
Originally Posted by RAINMAKA
Taillights
they gave me two light sockets for each side so im thinking i can just divide the signal and brake light and have two signals and brake lights in each taillight. does this make sense? this is a pic of the wires they gave me, sorry about the quality
they gave me two light sockets for each side so im thinking i can just divide the signal and brake light and have two signals and brake lights in each taillight. does this make sense? this is a pic of the wires they gave me, sorry about the quality
Thread Starter
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Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1
Likes: 4
From: Charlestown, IN
Originally Posted by 5speedin2.3
no, both(front and rear) flash really really fast when i hit the brakes.
Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Livonia, Mi
Originally Posted by lifted97ranger
did you leave your stock turnsignal socket hooked up with a working bulb in it? mine did that when i took the bulb out of the orginal turnsignal socket....
ill mess with it when i get back. maybe the ground on the trailer thing came off..
