Lets see everyone's latest picture!
Well after a year and half, I am back around once again lol. Just to give an update, a few months back I finally was able to get the Ranger in the body shop and got it looking pretty good once more. Everything is pretty much the same as before except I've gotten a spray in liner and changed out the wheels. Here's a few before and after pics.
@DSFD506 ... You sure have a rare Ranger there. I have a white 2007 Sport 4X4 identical to yours. Mine had the 3.0 with an auto trans and I converted it over to a 4.0 SOHC with a 5-speed manual trans. The regular cabs with 4.0s are like unicorns, so I just had to build one. I haven't got mine up and running yet but I'm sure it'll be dangerous once I get it going.
Last edited by BlackRanger04; Nov 26, 2016 at 08:19 PM.
I don't have a recent pic of the rear, or you would also see 1999 tail lghts (3-color).
Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 4
From: Evansville, Indiana
Yes, you should have a picture of them sometime. Could snap one before you leave from work, even.
One thing I'd like to note about 3 bulb taillights, converting to them specifically. Initially we attempted to convert to the three bulb setup (like what my 99 has) using a trailer camper adapter.
Oh so bad of an idea of mine; as it was me who found the converter.
Initially, it all proved out to work fine, with the exception of a very minor error in the lighting. For example, if the brake lights were pushed, the turn signals would come on for the barest hint of a millisecond. This is due to the module itself being only simple, based on a pair of relays with some diodes; something anyone could make themselves with little knowledge; given a proper diagram.
However, over time, the module began to exhibit very incoherent signals; only known after my mother and I followed my father along a few turns.
With one turn signal on (left or right, doesn't matter), and the brake lights activated, all lights could come on, and often did, doing so in such a way as to confuse anyone of his intentions. It was very shortly after this that we rectified the problem.
Believe it or not, the solution's idea came from none other than a Ford Taurus. A close friend of mine had inquired my assistance with a few things about the car; one of which was changing the combination signals over to a three bulb system.
Turns out, the procedure of seperating turn signals from brake lights is actually very simple on Ford Rangers and Ford Tauruses around the 00-03 vintage. 04 and up, however, I cannot speak on.
The principle is simple, actually. Traditionally, a wire goes from the brakelight switch and out of the cab to it's respective lights. Very simple, indeed. Just how Ford managed to convert this over to combination signals is also very simple. All they did was reroute the brake light wire (Usually solid light green) from the brake light switch all the way up to the multi function switch, where it is interrupted by the turn signal circuitry.
So, what does one do, exactly?
The brake light switch wire is removed from the multi function switch, preferably by removing the wire from the connector entirely, no cutting. The existing tail light/turn signal bulbs become turn signal bulbs only, since there is no longer any brake light power able to flow to them. Power is then taken from the brake light switch and pulled to the rear of the vehicle along the frame and wired into two sockets, one for each side; wired in parallel and then grounded with a soldered eyelet onto a piece of the frame.
That's literally it.
Anyway, reason I say this is so hopefully someone will be saved the hassle.
One thing I'd like to note about 3 bulb taillights, converting to them specifically. Initially we attempted to convert to the three bulb setup (like what my 99 has) using a trailer camper adapter.
Oh so bad of an idea of mine; as it was me who found the converter.
Initially, it all proved out to work fine, with the exception of a very minor error in the lighting. For example, if the brake lights were pushed, the turn signals would come on for the barest hint of a millisecond. This is due to the module itself being only simple, based on a pair of relays with some diodes; something anyone could make themselves with little knowledge; given a proper diagram.
However, over time, the module began to exhibit very incoherent signals; only known after my mother and I followed my father along a few turns.
With one turn signal on (left or right, doesn't matter), and the brake lights activated, all lights could come on, and often did, doing so in such a way as to confuse anyone of his intentions. It was very shortly after this that we rectified the problem.
Believe it or not, the solution's idea came from none other than a Ford Taurus. A close friend of mine had inquired my assistance with a few things about the car; one of which was changing the combination signals over to a three bulb system.
Turns out, the procedure of seperating turn signals from brake lights is actually very simple on Ford Rangers and Ford Tauruses around the 00-03 vintage. 04 and up, however, I cannot speak on.
The principle is simple, actually. Traditionally, a wire goes from the brakelight switch and out of the cab to it's respective lights. Very simple, indeed. Just how Ford managed to convert this over to combination signals is also very simple. All they did was reroute the brake light wire (Usually solid light green) from the brake light switch all the way up to the multi function switch, where it is interrupted by the turn signal circuitry.
So, what does one do, exactly?
The brake light switch wire is removed from the multi function switch, preferably by removing the wire from the connector entirely, no cutting. The existing tail light/turn signal bulbs become turn signal bulbs only, since there is no longer any brake light power able to flow to them. Power is then taken from the brake light switch and pulled to the rear of the vehicle along the frame and wired into two sockets, one for each side; wired in parallel and then grounded with a soldered eyelet onto a piece of the frame.
That's literally it.
Anyway, reason I say this is so hopefully someone will be saved the hassle.
Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 588
Likes: 4
From: Evansville, Indiana
^^^ What he said!
I see you take blame for using the module in the first place, but I had the option of NOT doing it that way. I wanted the 1999 lights, but didn't want to run wire from the front of the truck. The module was the answer... and it worked for a while; until it began to fail. Luckily, you had the know-how to help me correct the situation by wiring it like I should have done in the first place. Did I ever thank you for that?
I see you take blame for using the module in the first place, but I had the option of NOT doing it that way. I wanted the 1999 lights, but didn't want to run wire from the front of the truck. The module was the answer... and it worked for a while; until it began to fail. Luckily, you had the know-how to help me correct the situation by wiring it like I should have done in the first place. Did I ever thank you for that?
Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 4
From: Evansville, Indiana
Probably the best option. I'd install a standard glass 3157 on one side and compare low modes. I think the bulb itself doesn't have enough internal resistance for the low mode. As set of bulbs like mine would also suffice.
