Hi all.
Just bought a 2004 Ranger (XLT) FX4 equiped and love the truck.
One problem I have is it is difficult to see the guages during the daylight hours and wonder if there is some way to provide more light in an easy way.
Haven't driven the truck at night yet, so don't know how bright it is then.
Turning the lights on helps a bit, even with the dimmer up full.
I'm sure this is not unique to my vehicle and that there is an easy solution.
Thansk in advance for any help or suggestions.

FIRST post :-)
Richard

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2004 Ranger XLT
V6 4L

pics would help, our lights are generally not all that bright but bright enuf but you can have a bad brightness so lets see pics

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Ford Ranger Edge Supercab, 2004 3.0 Auto, 2WD, 4.10 Axle 31x10.5x15 BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A KO's


My Truck Is My Mountain Bike's Ride!

Class III hitch, Rhino Bedliner, Almost Maxed T-Bar Crank, Tuff Country Add A Leaf, Custom Low Anchor Points, OEM ('99) Tow Hooks, Pro Comp Offroad Lights , Mustang Dome Light, Clear Corners, Slim Toolbox, Blinker Mod,Cargo Brake Light Mod,Expo Lighted Visors, Ultra Silverstar heads/fogs, Fog/high mod, Reverse/switched lights, Bike Fork Mounts

Welcome Richard. I have to ask, and I'm not being a smart ass. But you are having a hard time seeing the guages during the day? Is it an issue with window tint not allowing sunlight in there or something else?

I know what you're talking about as I have the same problem.
The issue for me is the black instrument cluster and the position of the sun.

If the sun shining is anywhere near the front of the truck, my guages are very hard to see as it's just too dark. No problem seeing the cluster with the sun past directly overhead and from the back.

Wearing sun glasse's makes it worse.

I have thought about going with a white or silver instrument cluster which I think will be much easier to see but my truck is still under warranty so I'll probably wait until the warranty runs out and start looking for a white replacement factory cluster.

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2010 Silver Ford Ranger XLT 2.3L 2WD StyleSide Reg Cab Auto, Open 7.5" - 4.10 diff.
TruxEdo tonneua cover, rubber bed mat, Ranger all weather floor mats.

^^ Ok, Thats understandable. I agree, silver or white face cluster will definately help that situation out

Mine is the same way and I have the white face cluster. The window tint and wearing sunglasses doesnt help. However with mine turning on the headlights helps.

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Thanks to you all for yout posts.
Looks like it is not a unique situation I have, now just need to figure a way to get more light onto the dash during daylight. Today it was overcast and by using the parking light option the instruments were very readable. I am hoping there is some sort of mod for illuminating the instruments from the exterior, maybe using one of the 12V outlets.
Thanks again for all the input.
Richard

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2004 Ranger XLT
V6 4L

Good luck! I'm sure someone here will chime in with a good idea, we all get creative from time to time!

I was thinking of changing the bulbs out on mines with led. I'm just trying to find a trend or the guy that has done that to his ride on here.

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2003 Ranger Cluster - LED Lighting Project

this is one that I found so far.

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2002 Ford Ranger Tremor,Sonic Blue, 3.0L.V6, automatic, 2 wheel drive, 2 1/2" lift, rear disk brake conversion, Volo chip
"If it brakes, replace it with something better.
What don't kiss you makes you stronger."

X2 love my white face cluster

i had the same problem with my toyota so i did this (plasma dials)

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actions speak louder than words....
98 2.5 4cyl splash flareside
in horrible green

I like the looks of the Plasma effect and would like to know more about that. If I'm going to go to the trouble of pulling the dash, I want to make sure I get something worth it in the end. Don't know what the finished led project looks like. My dash lights are not very bright at the brightest setting even at night and may be due to some bulbs burned out. Nothing to compare it with close by so don't know if they are normally low or mine are really low. Seems like they are normally not very bright as well as difficult to see according to feedback in this thread. at least it appears I am not going blind.......just yet :-)
Richard

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2004 Ranger XLT
V6 4L