Tail light wiring - Electrical Tech - Tech Section

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Dusten
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Ok, I see lots of topics on converting to the newer style lights. These all assume you have three plugs and are installing 2 bulb tail lights.

When I swapped beds they had newer lights, and the wiring.

So here's what I have. The oem wiring to the connector at the bumper for a 99. I have the harness from an 07 after that. I have brake lights and back up lights, but no blinkers. Where do I need to splice to get blinkers?

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Posted: Sat Dec 8th, 2018 09:09 pm

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black06xlt
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The newer trucks share the same wire for brake and turn signal. You can always wire the turn signal to the brake light. Since turn signals cancel out the brake light it shouldn't be a problem

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Posted: Sat Dec 8th, 2018 11:41 pm

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JAMMAN

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Well it does go deeper than that. It isn't crazy but it can be done. I haven't done it but don't like anything I've seen written so far on other boards.

I would start with using a EP27 flasher and 2 relays. Wire the brake light through the normally closed portion of the relay and use the turn signal wire before the connector to fire the relay coil. But I'm going to look at the wiring diagrams I have before I say 100000%

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Posted: Sun Dec 9th, 2018 08:00 am

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Dusten
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That makes sense. I already grabbed the ep27 to calm down the front blinkers till I get this sorted.

I was going to make a pick and pull run but its 38 and rainy

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Posted: Sun Dec 9th, 2018 08:17 am

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JAMMAN

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What you are doing is common but unusual... most people are using the existing wires for the 3 light system, if I understand correctly your new bed wiring was with the bed and you plugged the existing truck harness in to the new bed wiring which is newer than 99.

Nothing I see written so far matches your exact situation.

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Posted: Sun Dec 9th, 2018 08:43 am

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Dusten
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JAMMAN wrote:
What you are doing is common but unusual... most people are using the existing wires for the 3 light system, if I understand correctly your new bed wiring was with the bed and you plugged the existing truck harness in to the new bed wiring which is newer than 99.

Nothing I see written so far matches your exact situation.

And that's why I asked. Nothing I see matches. I may need to go to a pick and pull and get the correct harness

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Posted: Sun Dec 9th, 2018 10:13 am

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JAMMAN

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From a work standpoint either way seems equally as expensive and hard.

1. Replace harness (buy and remove harness from JY, remove yours, install on your bed, do a common light mod)

2. Obtain 2 relays, trigger with turn signal wire.

2 has its advantages if you ever want to mount a 3rd brake light with turn signals or a trailer.

Hmmmm idea... does yours have a towing package? Any one with towing package probably has at least fuses for the trailer harness you could use that to drive the bright filament in the bulb.

I think as far as the fuses are concerned I'm pretty sure they were the same ones between the 99 and 00 for this option (someone look at their 98/99 EVTM please I only have the 00)

I tapped in to these for my 3rd light turn signal mod out of convenience more than necessity.

https://ford-rangers.com/forum46/368.html

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Posted: Sun Dec 9th, 2018 10:58 am

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Dusten
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JAMMAN wrote:
From a work standpoint either way seems equally as expensive and hard.

1. Replace harness (buy and remove harness from JY, remove yours, install on your bed, do a common light mod)

2. Obtain 2 relays, trigger with turn signal wire.

2 has its advantages if you ever want to mount a 3rd brake light with turn signals or a trailer.

Hmmmm idea... does yours have a towing package? Any one with towing package probably has at least fuses for the trailer harness you could use that to drive the bright filament in the bulb.

I think as far as the fuses are concerned I'm pretty sure they were the same ones between the 99 and 00 for this option (someone look at their 98/99 EVTM please I only have the 00)

I tapped in to these for my 3rd light turn signal mod out of convenience more than necessity.

https://ford-rangers.com/forum46/368.html
So ill need to tap into the blinker wire on the 99 harness side, feed a relay, tall that into the brake light wire on the 07 harness.

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Posted: Sun Dec 9th, 2018 10:59 am

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Idahome

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Forget all the taping and wiring in new relays and such

Just go get a 3 bulb to 2 bulb adapter built for trailer hookups and wire it in....super easy
Avail at any parts store

It converts the separate turn and brake signals into a single signal, converts 3 bulb systems to 2 bulb and vise versa

This is how I convert Rangers to use the 05+ style two bulb lights

https://www.etrailer.com/search/2+Wire+To+3+Wire+Tail+Light+Converter

https://www.etrailer.com/Custom-Fit-Vehicle-Wiring/Hopkins/HM48925.html

Last edited on Sun Dec 9th, 2018 11:09 am by 410customs

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Posted: Sun Dec 9th, 2018 11:34 am

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JAMMAN

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You didn't read the entire thread.

He has replaced the entire bed with a later model, wiring and all.

He connected his 99 harness to the bed wiring.

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Posted: Sun Dec 9th, 2018 11:38 am

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JAMMAN

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Dusten wrote:
So ill need to tap into the blinker wire on the 99 harness side, feed a relay, tall that into the brake light wire on the 07 harness.
Yes. Because of your specific situation I see this as the easiest option.

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Posted: Sun Dec 9th, 2018 11:53 am

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Dusten
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JAMMAN wrote:
Dusten wrote:

So ill need to tap into the blinker wire on the 99 harness side, feed a relay, tall that into the brake light wire on the 07 harness.
Yes. Because of your specific situation I see this as the easiest option.
Time to find the wiring diagrams for both.

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Posted: Sun Dec 9th, 2018 12:45 pm

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Idahome

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I did read it
If you are using the 07 tail lights with the 99 wiring, even if you tap into the blinker feeds in the 99 side of things you will still need to convert to the 2 bulb system for the 07 tails?

He has 99 wiring all the way to the bumper
Then 07 after....same thing I did on our 99 stepside?
Or am I still missing something?
I am also here to learn!

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Posted: Sat Dec 15th, 2018 02:47 am

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buggman

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after breezing through this thread, i might suggest grabbing a hopkins or similar trailer T connector that plugs between the oem harness & leads out to a 4 pin trailer connector.

if you have no need for the trailer connector, simply run the left brake/turn wires to the left side, right to right side. i forget the color codes, but i did something similar to my 96 except i added a 4 pin trailer connector for when i need to haul something...

i ran 2 new 3157 ford bulb sockets & wired them into the trailer wiring so i now have 2 bulb tails, i also left the oem 3 bulb tail wiring with the 4 sockets just in case i want to swap back & forth between the two.

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Posted: Sat Dec 15th, 2018 09:46 am

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Mike69

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I am replacing my 2000 tail light housings which are 2 bulb (1 for stop & t/s & 1 for b/u) to the 2001 style. Going from this,
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Set-of-2-Tail-Light-For-2000-Ford-Ranger-XL-LH-RH-Clear-Red-Lens/231998952060?fits=Year%3A2000%7CModel%3ARanger%7CMake%3AFord&epid=1175646325&hash=item360437127c:g:C9gAAOSwKMxbQfxj:rk:2:pf:1&frcectupt=true
to this,
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2001-2011-Ford-Ranger-Red-Clear-Tail-Lights-Replacement-Lamps-01-11-Left-Right/381272638836?hash=item58c59ec574:rk:1:pf:0
My problem is the 2000 bulb socket has 3 tabs on it for the b/u lights & the new housings for the 2001 only have 2 slot openings, I can not just replace the bulb socket because where they plug into the harness connector is different. I am thinking of getting new sockets & the electrical connectors from Rock Auto & replace them.
2000 socket,
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=1002438&cc=1362798&jsn=567
2000 harness connector,
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=2059566&cc=1362798&jsn=646
2001 socket,
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=663905&cc=1438304&jsn=683
2001 harness connector,
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=50328&cc=1438304&jsn=832&jsn=832

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Posted: Sat Dec 15th, 2018 01:15 pm

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Dusten
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I used the 3-2 towing adapter. All good now!

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Posted: Sun Dec 16th, 2018 11:03 am

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Idahome

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So just to confirm, you used the trailer two bulb to three bulb adapter to convert the 99 truck side wiring to work with the 2 bulb style 05+ tails?

Last edited on Sun Dec 16th, 2018 11:04 am by 410customs

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Posted: Sun Dec 16th, 2018 09:58 pm

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Dusten
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Yes....

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Posted: Mon Dec 17th, 2018 10:04 pm

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Eddie Money
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Mike69 wrote:
I am replacing my 2000 tail light housings which are 2 bulb (1 for stop & t/s & 1 for b/u) to the 2001 style. Going from this,
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Set-of-2-Tail-Light-For-2000-Ford-Ranger-XL-LH-RH-Clear-Red-Lens/231998952060?fits=Year%3A2000%7CModel%3ARanger%7CMake%3AFord&epid=1175646325&hash=item360437127c:g:C9gAAOSwKMxbQfxj:rk:2:pf:1&frcectupt=true
to this,
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2001-2011-Ford-Ranger-Red-Clear-Tail-Lights-Replacement-Lamps-01-11-Left-Right/381272638836?hash=item58c59ec574:rk:1:pf:0
My problem is the 2000 bulb socket has 3 tabs on it for the b/u lights & the new housings for the 2001 only have 2 slot openings, I can not just replace the bulb socket because where they plug into the harness connector is different. I am thinking of getting new sockets & the electrical connectors from Rock Auto & replace them.
2000 socket,
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=1002438&cc=1362798&jsn=567
2000 harness connector,
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=2059566&cc=1362798&jsn=646
2001 socket,
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=663905&cc=1438304&jsn=683
2001 harness connector,
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=50328&cc=1438304&jsn=832&jsn=832
Will that same one work for mike69^^^. I dont think he has the 07 pigtail. I think hes doing essentially the same thing. Hes swapping his 2000 tails

for the same ones as dusten.

Last edited on Mon Dec 17th, 2018 10:09 pm by Eddie Money

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Posted: Tue Dec 18th, 2018 09:14 am

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Idahome

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Yes!

The converter takes a 3 bulb system and converts it to 2 or vise versa

Here are the installation instructions
https://assets.curtmfg.com/masterlibrary/56196/installsheet/CME_56196_INS.PDF

The converter takes the 3 bulb system which normally uses turn signal and brake together into a separate turn signal and brake wire so you can run the later model tails
It is normally used to convert a 2 bulb vehicle to run a normal 4 pin trailer plug, but since it works in both directions, for us it will convert the older 3 bulb tails into a 2 bulb tail without the need for relays and trigger wires, etc. Plus they are already weatherproof and designed to be wired in at the tail lights and remain weather tight
For $30 its a no brainer!!
This is what I used when I put 05 tail lights on the 99 V8 Stepside

Last edited on Tue Dec 18th, 2018 09:18 am by 410customs

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Posted: Tue Dec 18th, 2018 01:53 pm

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Mike69

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Except the tail lights on my 2000 Ranger is a 2 bulb system ( see my post explanation above) it is just that the locking tabs on the sockets are different for the b/u lights from 2000 to 2001.

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Posted: Tue Dec 18th, 2018 02:11 pm

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Idahome

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Can you just trim one tab off of the socket so it fits in the light?
I think I need to draw a diagram all those links and pictures...lol

In the past I have used side cutters and razor blades to shave off those little plastic tabs (*converting your 2000 3 tab into a 2 tab socket?)

If not can you dremel a new slot into the light housings?

Last edited on Tue Dec 18th, 2018 02:13 pm by 410customs

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Posted: Tue Dec 18th, 2018 07:33 pm

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Mike69

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410customs wrote:
Can you just trim one tab off of the socket so it fits in the light?
I think I need to draw a diagram all those links and pictures...lol

In the past I have used side cutters and razor blades to shave off those little plastic tabs (*converting your 2000 3 tab into a 2 tab socket?)

If not can you dremel a new slot into the light housings?
Jamie, that is a good idea to cut off one of the tabs, or possibly make a new slot in the new light housings. I will have to check it out this weekend.

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Posted: Tue Dec 18th, 2018 09:37 pm

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Eddie Money
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Mike69 wrote:
410customs wrote:

Can you just trim one tab off of the socket so it fits in the light?
I think I need to draw a diagram all those links and pictures...lol

In the past I have used side cutters and razor blades to shave off those little plastic tabs (*converting your 2000 3 tab into a 2 tab socket?)

If not can you dremel a new slot into the light housings?
Jamie, that is a good idea to cut off one of the tabs, or possibly make a new slot in the new light housings. I will have to check it out this weekend.
I've had to do this on florescent bulbs for my bathroom fan. I havent experienced any issues and it's been over 5 years or so. I know it's not a truck but it's a similar situation. Lol

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Posted: Wed Dec 19th, 2018 09:19 am

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Idahome

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Those little tabs will slice right off with a new razor blade
THERE IS ALWAYS A WAY!!
I call them "junk yard solutions" or "Mcgyverisms"

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