Exterior Semi-Tech General discussion of exterior for the Ford Ranger.

May be the first to have this new accessory

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  #1  
Old 01-06-2006
winks's Avatar
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May be the first to have this new accessory

Just installed these lights tonight. They call them puddle lights, it is basically an LED strip on either side of the truck that acts as an underbody neon would. These lights are supposed to be hooked up to either your dome light or your door chime so that when you open your door, the lights go on, illuminating the ground below. When you close the door, there is a 30 second delay before they turn off.

I decided to run them whenever the parking lights are on, and while going through the process found a few glitches. First problem was that back of the relay isn't held together very well and it fell off with an accidental tug on the wires. That was an easy fix, just got some glue and alittle tape to hold it and I was back in buisness. Next problem is one that I'm hoping to find an answer to... I hooked the power and ground wires up, then tested the trigger line to the positive on the battery. This yeilded no results, however when I grounded the trigger line, the lights came on. When I took the wire off the ground, the relay did what it should, stayed on for 30 seconds, then turned off. So until this problem is solved, I have the trigger wire hooked up to a ground in the engine compartment, and the lights come on whenever my parking lights are on, and turn off with no 30 second delay.

If you're looking to pick these up, they sell them at Pep Boys for around $40.00. They are pretty bright, and overall I am pleased. I'd be happy to give any information needed for the project. Onto the photos.
 
  #2  
Old 01-06-2006
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They look pretty cool to me. Let us know how you like them in a few weeks after you've used them longer with any pros or cons.
 
  #3  
Old 01-06-2006
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From: Anaheim Hills, CA
Looks pretty good, hope you get that problem fixed.
 
  #4  
Old 01-06-2006
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nice i like that, pretty bright it seems
 
  #5  
Old 01-06-2006
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I have some 55w fogs under mine :) they do an ok job of lighting stuff up...


Sweet idea on those lights too.
 
  #6  
Old 01-07-2006
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From: Northville, MI
Not downing them, they look really cool. Its like Underbodies w/o the rice! However, I would have wired them seperately, because are they street legal? Also, they would be great for nighttime off roading!
 
  #7  
Old 01-07-2006
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i like those, my mom's freestyle has them, not sure if they are legal to have on while driving or not though...
 
  #8  
Old 01-07-2006
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From: College Station, TX
I thought white underbodies were legal to have. Maybe not while driving though?

Either way, those look pretty cool! seems silly to wire them to your parking lights though. I'd have done it to the dome light for whenever I open the door. That's just me though I guess.
 
  #10  
Old 01-07-2006
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From: CT
The ground trigger isn't a defect, I'm sure that is how they're designed. The dome lights in our truck are ground switched anyway, I think. I would say there are a lot more ground-side switched cars out there than (+) side switched so their design makes sense.
 
  #11  
Old 01-07-2006
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From: Pennsville, NJ
I Like them but I have to agree i am not suer if it is legal to ride around with them on. I guess just leave them and if anybody says anything run them off a seperate switch that way you can have them on when you want them and not just when your dome light is on. They would be cool for offroading at night.
 
  #12  
Old 01-07-2006
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looks good, my brother has a simulare set up with some old fog lights to his dome light....

it shouldnt be illegal to have those on... atleast in ohio as long as tehy dont flash and you cant see the bulb then they legal....
 
  #13  
Old 01-07-2006
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Thanks for the comments guys. So the dome light has a negative switch... I'll have to play around with that and see what I come up with. As for hooking them up to the parking lights, I wanted to have them on whenever I had on my lights, I honestly didn't think they'd be as bright as the underbody LED kits. I'll keep posted on what happens with the dome light, or if I get pulled over for them, etc...
 
  #14  
Old 01-07-2006
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Those are pretty cool, nice job
 
  #15  
Old 01-07-2006
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From: Merritt Island, FL
Just about EVERYTHING in my Miata is negative switched, alot of older british cars were like that too. Shouldn't be hard to use a relay to turn them on.
 
  #16  
Old 01-07-2006
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it is a good idea for offroading. dont see the purpose for on road use...but good idea none the less
 
  #17  
Old 01-07-2006
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From: Exit 105 New Jersey
looks good John, I like them
I would be worried in NJ though
a kill switch might be a good idea
 
  #18  
Old 01-07-2006
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From: Dearborn Michigan
i like how it looks.
Nice job
 
  #19  
Old 01-07-2006
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it confuses me...
 
  #20  
Old 01-07-2006
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That looks good, nice and bright!
 
  #21  
Old 01-07-2006
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Those look kinda cool!
 
  #22  
Old 01-08-2006
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Good idea, i like those!
 
  #23  
Old 01-08-2006
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I dont really understand why you would want them on while youre going down the road???
 
  #24  
Old 01-08-2006
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From: Jackson, New Jersey
just for looks.
 
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