Ford Ranger Forum - Forums for Ford Ranger enthusiasts!

Go Back   Ford Ranger Forum - Forums for Ford Ranger enthusiasts! > > >
Forgot Password? Join Us!

Welcome to Ford Ranger Forum

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread

  #1  
Old 08-17-2009, 05:24 PM
STL STL is offline
...............

 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 23,399
Default 2004 and up Ranger to Mustang Dome Light Mod

Written by Mykhael Hayes (Stl)

Please direct all questions to the author

If you have a 2001-2003 it is a direct swap no need to add power wire


***Some 2004 Trucks are also plug and play. Only the early model year trucks. If you remove your factory dome light and you see 2 factory wires there you are good to go, and dont need to add a power wire.


Tools needed:
  • Philips & small flathead Screwdriver
  • 7/32" 6 point socket/rachet
  • Replacement Dome Light (From Mustang/Explorer/F-Series etc)
  • 3 screws (should come with new dome light, or you can match one to the two in your current dome light)
  • 1 Wire Tap
  • About 8 feet of wire
  • Electric tape
  • Electrical Fish tape (not required but helpful)





Step 1: Remove existing dome light.
Pop off the plastic cover with a small flathead. Then take out the two philips screws and the old dome light should be off.


Step 2: Removing trim.
You have to run power from the headlight switch to the dome light.
Start by taking off the dash access panel



Remove the grab handles on the A-pillar. This is accomplished by first removing the plastic trim plugs to expose the 9/32" hex bolts




Now you can pull off the A-Pillar trim piece. there are 2 plugs that hold this trim in place. Just pull the trim straight down towards the seat and it'll pop out. Just take your time



Remove the 3 Phillips screws that hold the sun-visor in place. After removing them, you should be able to drop the corner of the headliner, allowing you to run the wiring



You should now have a clear shot to run the wiring. Start from behind the headlight switch, up the a-pillar, tucking the wire behind the rubber strip to hold it into place then through the headliner and to dome light. This is where the wire snake would come in handy to run the wire to the dome light opening
Those with high powered subwoofers may want to take this time to secure the power wire with plenty of tape and/or wire ties. I had to secure mine in many places because it caused a few annoying rattles when the sub hit.

Step 3: Running the constant power wire.

Standard disclaimer: Caution, you can shock yourself, cause a fire and/or blow some fuses if you don't do this right, so be safe and disconnect the battery. FordRangerForum.com and the author of this how to are not responsible for any damage or injuries.

Locate the Green wire with Orange Stripe behind the headlight switch. This is the wire missing behind the dome light on 2004 and newer Rangers. This wire is "behind" the power saver relay, which means this wire will deliver constant power for approximately 10 minutes without a key in the ignition. If you want constant power without any interruptions, you will need to run a line from the battery (with fuse) or tap into the fuse box (passenger kick panel).
Use a wire tap to splice into the Green/orange wire

2009-2011 white/red stripe wire




Now you want your new power wire to connect to the screw circled in Black. The RED circle is for switched power and this hole should line up with the black/blue wire Ford put behind the dome light. As stated before, the ground is the chassis. Just make sure the last screw hole circled in yellow lines up with a pre-drilled hole into the dome light brace.





Black = Constant
RED = Switched
Yellow= Ground






Step 4b: Mounting the light.
By using the screws for ground and switched power (screwed to the factory locations)
should be sufficient for a secure mount.



Step 5: Test the installation.
CHECK ALL WIRING. Make sure all dome light screws are contacting the factory wire, your power wire, or the chassis. Make sure the wire tap is in contact with the wire.
Reconnect the battery.
Close all doors to reset the battery saver relay. Then turn the rotary dial by the headlight switch to turn on the dome light. The center bulb should illuminate. Turn the switch back to "off".
Test the map light switches on the dome light. Each switch should turn on one bulb and one bulb only. It should be obvious which one that it. These map light switches should work independently of the headlight dome switch, because of the power wire you ran.

Step 6: Replace trim.
Follow step 2 in reverse order



__________________
2005 Edge


Last edited by STL; 01-08-2012 at 11:49 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 03-03-2010, 05:36 PM
99nwranger 99nwranger is offline
Like the Forums
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 38
Default

does it work the same way with a 99 ranger. my lights are manual and dont shut off automatically
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 03-03-2010, 05:50 PM
STL STL is offline
...............

 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 23,399
Default

Im not sure. I think it is a direct swap no need to add a power wire.
__________________
2005 Edge

Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 03-03-2010, 06:21 PM
99nwranger 99nwranger is offline
Like the Forums
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 38
Default

your a genius it works. only thing that confused me was the plug but that was not needed. thank you very much
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 07-27-2010, 04:07 AM
PaulBennett PaulBennett is offline
Ford Truck Driver
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 95
Default Re: 2004 and up Mustang Dome Light Mod

Had my 1998 Ranger a week learning the dome light bulbs had been intentionally removed. Saw your post and started reading to become enlightened but only became confused. SO, I have one large problem

What are you attempting to do? What dome light or other function didn't you like which you wish to rectify? Are you adding a feature? Why use a Mustang part? Reference to 2004 is for 2004 Mustang or 2004 Ranger? Arggh

Great pictures but I'm left with a giant WHY
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 07-27-2010, 04:18 AM
STL STL is offline
...............

 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 23,399
Default Re: 2004 and up Mustang Dome Light Mod

My stock domelight only came on with switch or opening door. It had no map lights.

The title of thread is for 2004 and up rangers. I think the mustang domelight is out of a 1998.

Hope I answered your questions.
__________________
2005 Edge

Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 07-28-2010, 01:01 AM
PaulBennett PaulBennett is offline
Ford Truck Driver
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 95
Default Re: 2004 and up Mustang Dome Light Mod

Quote:
Originally Posted by STL View Post
My stock domelight only came on with switch or opening door. It had no map lights.
I suffer from the inability to turn my dome light OFF and wonder if you now gained that function. My dome light contains 2 bulbs which I guess could be considered map lights as one points to each seated occupant.

Imagine camping, sitting in truck with doors open listening to radio in the dark. I am unable to do that, i.e. turn the dome/map lights off, there is NO switch function for that. When driving, the switch in the dome light turns on bulb 1 or bulb 2 or both. Door opening turns on both. Dome light switch does nothing when door is open.

So, now that I understand your need for a map light and observing your the nice installation and great set of instructions/pictures of a Mustang dome, pray tell - does the Mustang conversion turn the light off as well as on?

Thanks for your help.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 07-28-2010, 01:44 AM
STL STL is offline
...............

 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 23,399
Default Re: 2004 and up Ranger to Mustang Dome Light Mod

My dome light before would turn off after roughly 10 minutes. This one will also.
__________________
2005 Edge

Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 07-30-2010, 08:20 PM
aridranger03 aridranger03 is offline
3.0hhh
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 171
Default Re: 2004 and up Ranger to Mustang Dome Light Mod

Ok so for my 03 all i gotta do is get a different dome light and switch them out?
__________________
1999 Ford F-150 XLT S-Cab 4x4 4.6 V8 3:55 L/S
Traded - 2003 Ford Ranger Edge Reg. Cab Flareside 3.0 V6
5 Speed 2wd 4:10 Limited Slip
Mods: Cargo Light, Map Lights, Tow Hooks, Fabtech Add-A-Leaf, Ford Step Bars, 06 Tails
Future Plans: 06+ Corners, Tint
Got a 3.0? Join Us!
Southeast Rangers Join Here!
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 07-31-2010, 01:48 AM
STL STL is offline
...............

 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 23,399
Default Re: 2004 and up Ranger to Mustang Dome Light Mod

Quote:
Originally Posted by aridranger03 View Post
Ok so for my 03 all i gotta do is get a different dome light and switch them out?
Yes direct swap
__________________
2005 Edge

Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 10-02-2010, 01:54 PM
CADreamin CADreamin is offline
Ford Tough
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 247
Default Re: 2004 and up Ranger to Mustang Dome Light Mod

Awesome how-to...just bought one of these on eBay.
__________________
2003 Ford Ranger XLT
4.0 SOHC
K&N Filter
Stepside Bed
Reese Class III/IV Hitch
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 11-07-2010, 02:03 PM
05RangerEdge 05RangerEdge is offline
I'm a sell out
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,299
Default Re: 2004 and up Ranger to Mustang Dome Light Mod

I am installing Explorer Visors with mirrors and lights. Can i run power to those lights from this same source? I am also putting in the dome as well figured I could kill 2 birds with one stone.
__________________
SOLD: 2005 Ranger EDGE+ Supercab (2dr) 4x2
SOLD: 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 QC 5.7 HEMI
CURRENT: 2015 Tacoma DCLB TRD Sport
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 11-07-2010, 02:37 PM
STL STL is offline
...............

 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 23,399
Default Re: 2004 and up Ranger to Mustang Dome Light Mod

Yes you can

A friend of mine did that with his.
__________________
2005 Edge

Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 11-07-2010, 05:11 PM
Clinton Clinton is offline
Banned
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 14,046
Default Re: 2004 and up Ranger to Mustang Dome Light Mod

Quote:
Originally Posted by 05RangerEdge View Post
I am installing Explorer Visors with mirrors and lights. Can i run power to those lights from this same source? I am also putting in the dome as well figured I could kill 2 birds with one stone.
Just ground the black wire from the visors, then run the green (I believe thats the color) to the dome light and use a T tap to hook it into the green dome wire
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 11-07-2010, 05:13 PM
05RangerEdge 05RangerEdge is offline
I'm a sell out
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,299
Default Re: 2004 and up Ranger to Mustang Dome Light Mod

Funny tho there is only one wire coming out of the visor and its black I'm lost lol
__________________
SOLD: 2005 Ranger EDGE+ Supercab (2dr) 4x2
SOLD: 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 QC 5.7 HEMI
CURRENT: 2015 Tacoma DCLB TRD Sport
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Dome Light Bighomedog11 Interior Tech 21 01-28-2011 11:13 AM
Dome light RANGER @ GT Interior Parts 2 08-30-2009 12:56 AM
How To: 2004 and up Mustang Dome Light Mod STL Interior Guides 0 08-17-2009 05:24 PM
No power to my dome light Buddythetruck Interior Tech 7 07-08-2009 10:07 PM
91 dome light issues dogboy Electrical Tech 0 06-02-2009 12:39 PM