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09-14-2015, 01:14 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 934
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Adding A Separate Switch To Your Cargo Lights
This mod "How To" is the result of a collaboration between TheArcticWolf1911, and myself.
Are you one of the lucky ones who have cargo lights alongside of your third brake light?
By design, if you want to use the cargo lights on your Ranger, you have to roll the dimmer switch all the way up, and turn your interior lights on as well. Of course, if you're outside of the truck, looking into the bed, having the dome light on along with the cargo light, not only makes no sense, but adds to your battery drain. Some have ran wires and spliced this & that, to have them come on when you open the door. This is somewhat a convenience, but the extra battery drain is still there.
Adding a separate switch to control the cargo lights is relatively easy to do, if you're adventurous enough do a mod. It is easier than wiring an OHC, and I will talk you through it.
There are several discussions on how to remove your dash where you can also gain access to the dimmer . I might suggest, the How To for replacing the dash lights.
Here is what you will need besides the 9/32, & 5/16 sockets to gain access to the dimmer switch next to your light switch.
A length of wire long enough to reach from the dimmer switch, to where ever you decide to mount the new switch for the cargo light.
** 18 Gauge wire should be sufficient to match the Hot wire you'll be tapping into.**
A switch (DUUUUH)
**Almost any automotive switch will work, it will be mostly a matter of aesthetics, and it's mounting location.**
Also it would be helpful, (And don't Freak out on this) to get the wiring diagram for the "Courtesy Lamps" from BBB Industries. It's free and fairly easy to understand. Just remember to click the wiring diagram button, and fill in the information for your truck. In the case of my Ranger, I put in; 1998 > Ford > Ranger > 4.0 > Lighting > Courtesy Lamps. Easy so far, ain't it? The diagram is used mainly to show you what color wires to look for in your truck.
This is the diagram I got. Yours may vary slightly.
On the lower right hand side of the diagram, there is a box with 3 wires/lines coming out of it labeled "Outside Cargo/High Mount Stop Lamp". The line/wire with the "BK/PK" next to it is showing a connection to the "Outside Cargo Lamp", so this is the one I want to tap into. Only I will first follow it over to the Dimmer Switch.
Now, at the top, there is a box labeled "**Battery Saver Relay". I followed the LG/O line/wire straight down to see it connects to the box labeled "Instrument Illuminating Dimming Module".
Since this mod is going to take place at the dimmer switch, I now know I have to tap the BK/PK (Black with a Pink Stripe) wire, and the LG/O (Light Green with an Orange stripe) wire, with a switch in between the two.
All that is left for me to do is decide where I want the new switch, mount it, and run my freshly tapped wires to it.
Although I have not installed this mod yet, I did access the dimmer in my truck, and ran a jumper wire from the LG/O wire to the BK/PK wire, which in turn made my cargo lights come on. I believe personally I will find a spot for a small round switch somewhere close to the light switch, and dimmer, keeping my wire runs as short as possible.
Here are the Pics I took while testing the above discussion
This shows the LG/O, and BK/PK wires at the dimmer connector.
Sorry this is a bit blurry, but it shows the jumper connected to the two wires needed to illuminate the cargo light.
And this was the result
Disclaimer;
Neither Me, TheArcticWolf1911, or FRF will assume ANY responsibility for your actions should you decide to perform this mod. I tested it as explained above, and it worked for me.
__________________
Black '98 XLT 4.0 liter, super/extended cab, 4X4, 5 speed manual
*Mods & Pseudo Mods*
Sony head unit, Expo OHC, Uniden CB, 16" Wheels from a 2002 Expo Sport Trac/255-0R16 tires
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09-14-2015, 02:04 PM
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Ford Ranger Driver
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,848
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Nice! I will have to try this one.
__________________
Supercharged and DBR long travel 2003 FX4 on 305/70R16 MTRs, Torsen LS FR ECTED RR 4.56 Yukons with cobra brakes, lots of expo parts and other mods
Build thread http://www.fordrangerforum.com/proje...cue-truck.html
Support Search and Rescue ... GET LOST!
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09-14-2015, 10:17 PM
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Occasional.
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Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 728
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Re: Adding A Separate Switch To Your Cargo Lights
Nice writeup. I very much appreciate you telling people I'm not responsible for a melted Ranger
It is worth adding that by simply cutting the brown wire(s) and taping them off, you can achieve (in theory, untested) the same thing without the need to drill holes in your dash. It may also be worth noting what the other wires/colors do, even if the diagram says so. A few people I know don't understand these things, and sometimes I don't either. Also, if you want to copy-paste some info, one of the latest posts in my build thread talks about the switch a bit and my hypothesis behind it.
We ought to bounce ideas off one another again. I like to hear what other people are thinking and what they have to offer.
__________________
Fourth Gen, Harvest Gold, 1999 Ford Ranger; 3.0 V6 Vulcan; 4x4 Automatic
Limited Edition, Wolf Series
NEVER use pipe cleaners! They BREAK! Ask me how I know that.
Last edited by TheArcticWolf1911; 09-14-2015 at 10:30 PM.
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09-15-2015, 06:48 AM
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**************
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Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 934
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Re: Adding A Separate Switch To Your Cargo Lights
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheArcticWolf1911
Nice writeup. I very much appreciate you telling people I'm not responsible for a melted Ranger
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Yeah, it's almost a shame that the need for a disclaimer exists. But there are those who wont take responsibility for their own actions.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheArcticWolf1911
It is worth adding that by simply cutting the brown wire(s) and taping them off, you can achieve (in theory, untested) the same thing without the need to drill holes in your dash.
It may also be worth noting what the other wires/colors do, even if the diagram says so.
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Perhaps it might be prudent to go back to BBB Industries, and look at some of the other diagrams, to see if I/we can see where the brown wires go to, along with the other one (LB/R?).
I would be a bit leery to cut the brown wires, and then find I have to splice them back together.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheArcticWolf1911
A few people I know don't understand these things, and sometimes I don't either.
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I'm still in the learning phase of these things myself.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheArcticWolf1911
Also, if you want to copy-paste some info, one of the latest posts in my build thread talks about the switch a bit and my hypothesis behind it.
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Can you provide a link to that part of the build thread? or are you gonna make me read the whole thing? lol
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheArcticWolf1911
We ought to bounce ideas off one another again. I like to hear what other people are thinking and what they have to offer.
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Any time.
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After sleeping on this, I started wondering if it may have been a little premature for me to have posted this just yet.
Since I neglected to close the door when I looked at the cargo light, I cannot say that I didn't just basically move that part of the dimmer, and it would still kick the interior lights on as well.
I don't know if Logan or another mod could somehow suspend it pending further testing. Or if need be, remove this, until all the tests are complete, and a more definitive write-up can be made.
__________________
Black '98 XLT 4.0 liter, super/extended cab, 4X4, 5 speed manual
*Mods & Pseudo Mods*
Sony head unit, Expo OHC, Uniden CB, 16" Wheels from a 2002 Expo Sport Trac/255-0R16 tires
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09-15-2015, 07:01 AM
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No wire hangers, ever!
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 10,362
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Re: Adding A Separate Switch To Your Cargo Lights
Quote:
Originally Posted by Grampybox
I don't know if Logan or another mod could somehow suspend it pending further testing. Or if need be, remove this, until all the tests are complete, and a more definitive write-up can be made.
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You should be able to 'edit' your original post for a fair amount of time before we move it to the actual "How-To" section.
This will allow you to add and/or edit information as you get feedback from people here in this thread or make additional findings.
Once you feel everything is how you want it - We can move the one main post over into the actual "how-to" section so it's all "cleaned up".
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09-15-2015, 07:04 AM
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**************
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Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 934
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Re: Adding A Separate Switch To Your Cargo Lights
OK cool
Thanks
__________________
Black '98 XLT 4.0 liter, super/extended cab, 4X4, 5 speed manual
*Mods & Pseudo Mods*
Sony head unit, Expo OHC, Uniden CB, 16" Wheels from a 2002 Expo Sport Trac/255-0R16 tires
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09-15-2015, 08:14 AM
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Occasional.
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Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 728
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Re: Adding A Separate Switch To Your Cargo Lights
Quote:
Originally Posted by Grampybox
Yeah, it's almost a shame that the need for a disclaimer exists. But there are those who wont take responsibility for their own actions.
Perhaps it might be prudent to go back to BBB Industries, and look at some of the other diagrams, to see if I/we can see where the brown wires go to, along with the other one (LB/R?).
I would be a bit leery to cut the brown wires, and then find I have to splice them back together.
I'm still in the learning phase of these things myself.
Can you provide a link to that part of the build thread? or are you gonna make me read the whole thing? lol
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Yeah, it is a shame really that we have to do that instead of the possible end-user taking responsibility and admitting that he/she screwed up.
As for going back to the diagrams, that would be a good idea; making sure before doing any cutting. As for the LB/R wire, I'm fairly certain that it comes off the dimmer switch and after that goes to a few components with nothing but copper in between.
My build thread is in my signature. Perhaps making the link the same color as the rest of the text made it a little too obscure. I'll change that up here after this post. The post I mention is on the last page, one of the last five or so.
__________________
Fourth Gen, Harvest Gold, 1999 Ford Ranger; 3.0 V6 Vulcan; 4x4 Automatic
Limited Edition, Wolf Series
NEVER use pipe cleaners! They BREAK! Ask me how I know that.
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09-15-2015, 10:19 AM
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**************
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Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 934
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Re: Adding A Separate Switch To Your Cargo Lights
After looking over 3 different diagrams, (Instrument Panel *2*, Exterior Lights *2*, & Power Distribution *21*), I am led to believe that the Brown wire comes from either the main light switch, or the Parking Lamps Relay if it has Anti Theft. tapping into the dimmer, then to the exterior lamps. It appears that the brown wire supplies all the exterior lights, except the head and tail lights
I'm not sure why it would tap the dimmer though.
I definitely wouldn't feel comfortable cutting them LOL
The LB/R wire supplies the dash illumination, instrument cluster, switch lamps etc.
Below, are links to the PDF diagrams I looked at.
http://www.mediafire.com/view/5aznqn...anel_Lamps.pdf
http://www.mediafire.com/view/krky8h...ior_lights.pdf
http://www.mediafire.com/view/ls4owf...stribution.pdf
__________________
Black '98 XLT 4.0 liter, super/extended cab, 4X4, 5 speed manual
*Mods & Pseudo Mods*
Sony head unit, Expo OHC, Uniden CB, 16" Wheels from a 2002 Expo Sport Trac/255-0R16 tires
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09-18-2015, 12:15 PM
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**************
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Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 934
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Re: Adding A Separate Switch To Your Cargo Lights
Further testing showed that tapping the BK/PK wire at the dimmer switch as stated above, will still allow the interior lights to come on with the cargo lights. This will not make the Cargo lights independent of the interior lights.
This will however, allow you to use a "normal" switch to turn on your dome lights and cargo lights without rolling up the dimmer. if that would be something you might want to do.
Looking at the diagram above, it looks like you would have to cut the BK/PK wire somewhere after it leaves the Interior Lamp Relay in the relay box going to the cargo lights.
This is not the big fuse/relay box under the hood where the main wiring plugs in through the firewall.
If somebody could direct me to the location of this relay box, I would greatly appreciate it.
__________________
Black '98 XLT 4.0 liter, super/extended cab, 4X4, 5 speed manual
*Mods & Pseudo Mods*
Sony head unit, Expo OHC, Uniden CB, 16" Wheels from a 2002 Expo Sport Trac/255-0R16 tires
Last edited by Grampybox; 09-18-2015 at 12:38 PM.
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09-18-2015, 01:26 PM
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Occasional.
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Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 728
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Re: Adding A Separate Switch To Your Cargo Lights
On my 99, the relay box which houses the interior lamp relay is under the dash. Driver's side, up towards the GEM. Should only have to remove the shinguard panel to access it, and not even that much in my case. As for what relay controls it, idk. I just know it's there.
__________________
Fourth Gen, Harvest Gold, 1999 Ford Ranger; 3.0 V6 Vulcan; 4x4 Automatic
Limited Edition, Wolf Series
NEVER use pipe cleaners! They BREAK! Ask me how I know that.
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09-18-2015, 02:40 PM
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**************
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Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 934
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Re: Adding A Separate Switch To Your Cargo Lights
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheArcticWolf1911
As for what relay controls it, idk.
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lol
looks like another trip to BBB Industries. looked at about 10, and didn't see a diagram for the relay box,
I did find this though, but it was in an xploder forum. not sure how different a Ranger's might be.
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...0&postcount=14
I guess one could pull a rely, and see what quits working.
__________________
Black '98 XLT 4.0 liter, super/extended cab, 4X4, 5 speed manual
*Mods & Pseudo Mods*
Sony head unit, Expo OHC, Uniden CB, 16" Wheels from a 2002 Expo Sport Trac/255-0R16 tires
Last edited by Grampybox; 09-23-2015 at 07:50 AM.
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