Well since i had a hard time finding anything on here about doing the gauges in the 2005 Ford Ranger Edge, I thought I would post my lil' how to...

Most people already know how to take your gauges out I will skip this step. If you need a guide for that you can look any of the great how to's on here.

Well i found some blue led strips at the local Walmart. They come in a 2 pack of strips that are 24" long. I used 3http://www.fordrangerforum.com/images/smilies/gtn/joyman.gif strips for the gauges. They had a rubber cover over the strip because they are ones that you can mount anywhere.

I took it off as it helped fit and contour to the dash panel.

I put the strips all around the outside just above the clear plastic panel that helps spread the light from the light bulbs.

Strips installed:



Powered on:



With gauges:



I think I could add a few more lights later on but that'll work for now.

The hardest part was getting the gauges clear for the light to shine through. Sorry I have no pics or the back of the gauges as I sanded them down some time back. I had them painted when I still used the stock lights.

I did use sandpaper just like all the rest of the guides on the forums.

Wiring for the light was simple enough, I just needed to remove all of the stock bulbs and find out what terminal pad of the bulb connector was pos and what one neg.

I ended up using the light bulb socket for the one above the temp/fuel gauges.



and the power connectors:




Now the final product:



Since the lights are really bright, it's a good thing the dimmer works:



I did the HVAC lights as well but i didn't take any pictures yet I will post one soon.


Hope this might help someone else.

Thanks to all of the others that posted info in all great how to's here!

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2005 Ford Ranger Edge 4L 5 Speed DSG.
My Project

Wow! great write up. so you used two 24" strips for the cluster and the other one for the HVAC?

and why does your speedometer go to 200? mine goes to 100. lol

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2009 4x4 Ranger Build


-Michael Danger Gonzalez

km/h

ok, this is awesome.

i'm going to do this to my truck soon, this is way easier than getting individual LEDs to put in. and it looks like there are no hot spots

The only thing with having them for a few days is that the needles are not bright. I need to get some different ones or get a white led to light them up. I have a few ideas but I will let you guys know.

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2005 Ford Ranger Edge 4L 5 Speed DSG.
My Project

did you ever find a solution to the problem with the dark needles?

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01 xlt 3.0 extended cab
Kenwood speakers
JVC head unit
Fusion 12" sub and Fusion amp
Monroe coilover shocks in the rear
Tow Package
Mustang Dome

Siiick!!!!!!

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YZ the way to be!
The Brotherhood!

Mods to come: Camburg entry 6.0 system. FiberwerkX Fenders and bedsides. Tube bumper.
R.I.P. Jeff Ashton. 1992-2011

Need to lightly sand the film off the back of them.

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not as of yet i haven't. I can't sand them as they are solid red. I was thinking of maybe having one white led pointing behind them see if they glow.

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2005 Ford Ranger Edge 4L 5 Speed DSG.
My Project

what brand were the LED strips?

__________________
2009 4x4 Ranger Build


-Michael Danger Gonzalez

Ones that I used

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2005 Ford Ranger Edge 4L 5 Speed DSG.
My Project

thanks for the info. looks great! post up the HVAC pics if you can

__________________
2009 4x4 Ranger Build


-Michael Danger Gonzalez

Mine with white LED strips

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2009 4x4 Ranger Build


-Michael Danger Gonzalez

I want to do this sooo bad

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Build Thread
2008 Ford Ranger Sport 3.0L 4X2 "Stormtrooper"
Mods: Black window shields, Black bug shield, UWS Low-Profile Toolbox, Air Box Mod w/ K&N Drop-in, Blinker Mod, Throttle Cable Mod, Clear corners, OHC, DDM Tuning 35W 6000k HID headlights and fog lights, LED lights, Tow Hooks, 31" BFG KOs, Prekeys w/ Tbar crank, projector retrofit, RCI front skid plate, Pro Comp 7031, cherry bomb glasspack side exit exhaust, kicker door speakers, kicker 12" sub with 600 watt amp

Well a little update... I fixed the hard to see needles.



Added some clear needles, wet sanded the red off of the bottom and painted them blue. There is 2 blue led lights behind each needle to help with the glow.


mikey09120 ... They look good!


2008RangerSport .. You should do it.

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2005 Ford Ranger Edge 4L 5 Speed DSG.
My Project