Interior, Exterior, & Electrical How-To & DIY articles pertaining to the 'Interior, Exterior, & Electrical' in this sub-forum.

How-To: 98-00 Cruise Control Pod Lighting Fix/Mod

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 03-31-2010
Redneckstone's Avatar
Level III Supporter
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: usa
Posts: 24,936
Likes: 0
Received 9 Likes on 9 Posts
How-To: 98-00 Cruise Control Pod Lighting Fix/Mod

How-To author: 99offroadrngr

Original thread: https://www.ranger-forums.com/f59/ho...fix-mod-94966/


Let the modding Begin!!

_________________________





Do you have a 98-00 truck? Do your cruise controls not light up? Well, some of our trucks did not have the feature wired up although the wire is there. You can fix this problem if you run one wire thats supposed to have power to another component such as your headlight switch or OHC to power your cruise control pods. There has been previous talk of this a while ago but no how-to has been created.

DISCLAIMER: Neither I or the website this is posted on is liable for any mistakes made during the process. Do at your own risk.

I would like to thank member "crucialcolin" for clearing something up for me before i began this mod/fix.

Difficulty: 3/10
Tools Needed: Wire Strippers/crimp tool, Small socket set, Philips Head Screwdriver
Materials Needed: Wire, Electrical tape and Tap connectors/butt connectors

Here is what i used:
Name:  IMG_0587.jpg
Views: 575
Size:  158.3 KB

I started by removing my radio bezel first (two screws 7mm head)
Name:  IMG_0590.jpg
Views: 563
Size:  62.7 KB
Name:  IMG_0591.jpg
Views: 565
Size:  48.2 KB

Disconnect this mess of wires from your deck unless you want to leave it all hanging
Name:  IMG_0592.jpg
Views: 563
Size:  69.2 KB

Pull your deck out and place it aside and you can leave your bezel hanging if you wish
Name:  IMG_0595.jpg
Views: 577
Size:  60.7 KB

Remove your trim piece around the gauge cluster (5 7mm screws, 3 up top two on bottom)
Name:  IMG_0615.jpg
Views: 579
Size:  77.3 KB
Name:  IMG_0613.jpg
Views: 527
Size:  69.1 KB
Name:  IMG_0614.jpg
Views: 580
Size:  65.5 KB
Name:  IMG_0617.jpg
Views: 527
Size:  43.8 KB
Name:  IMG_0618.jpg
Views: 585
Size:  56.4 KB
Remove Headlight and Dimmer Switches
Name:  IMG_0624.jpg
Views: 530
Size:  81.6 KB

**NOTE: It is easier if you put your truck in 1 if you have an automatic transmission. MAKE SURE YOURE EMERGENCY BRAKE IS ON**
Name:  IMG_0626.jpg
Views: 551
Size:  91.7 KB

I then moved on to the plastic panel under the steering wheel. There are 4 bolts(7mm) that you have to remove for it to come off. One on the left, two behind your hood release and one on the right of the panel
These are the ones behind the hood release incase you're unsure
Name:  IMG_0598.jpg
Views: 521
Size:  21.0 KB

Once you pull the plastic panel off, you'll see a metal panel behind it secured with 5 bolts which looks like this:
Name:  IMG_0601.jpg
Views: 556
Size:  79.6 KB
Remove the 5 bolts (5/16) and put the panel aside

Once you have removed the panel, all you will see is a bunch of wires
Name:  IMG_0607.jpg
Views: 548
Size:  93.8 KB

Look under in that mess of wires and you will see a few different connectors. Look for the bigger brown connector with 6 holes (next to another connector with 2 wires going into it.
**NOTE: Make sure you don't have the red/black wire going in one end of the harness and out the other. If you do, its more likely that the bulbs within your cruise control pods are just burnt out.**
Name:  IMG_0608.jpg
Views: 545
Size:  78.3 KB

I separated both ends of the wire connectors just to avoid possible problems
Name:  IMG_0609.jpg
Views: 611
Size:  80.9 KB

On the end which is still held up to the metal part on the truck, look for a red/black wire. This is the wire you will need to either cut or pull out of the harness to give it power.
I pulled the wire out with a small pair of pliers.
Name:  IMG_0611.jpg
Views: 528
Size:  72.8 KB

Strip this wire a bit and then put on your connector, crimp on if using butt connectors(I used butt connectors because i had them laying around)
Name:  IMG_0616.jpg
Views: 522
Size:  70.3 KB

Here is my collection of screws lol
Name:  IMG_0619.jpg
Views: 536
Size:  98.8 KB

On your headlight switch, find the White/Black wire and cut it in half.(Leave wire on both ends) Then strip and braid both ends of the wireName:  IMG_0630.jpg
Views: 581
Size:  88.0 KB

Put a Connector on the piece of wire thats still attached to the headlight switch.
Run your wire from the red/black wire from under the dash the best route possible and then braid it together with the other end of the white/black wire from your headlight switch. Crimp both ends together and you should be all set to go.
Turn headlight switch one click, enough to turn on your instrument panel
Name:  IMG_0631.jpg
Views: 668
Size:  89.2 KB

Check your cruise control pods and they should be lit up!
Name:  IMG_0633.jpg
Views: 526
Size:  60.6 KB
It lights up complete i had to adjust the LED placement

For safety, wrap both connections you made with electrical tape, as an insulator.
Under dash
Name:  IMG_0635.jpg
Views: 593
Size:  61.5 KB
Headlight Switch
Name:  IMG_0634.jpg
Views: 833
Size:  60.0 KB

Now, put everything back together and you're done!
Name:  IMG_0637.jpg
Views: 629
Size:  95.6 KB

If you get stumped, feel free to PM me 99offroadrngr
 

Last edited by 98liftedranger; 11-27-2011 at 09:18 PM.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
annguyen1981
General Ford Ranger Discussion
5
12-15-2011 05:04 AM
sullys_ranger
Interior Semi-Tech
8
02-17-2008 09:25 AM
Glowin3232
General Technical & Electrical
1
06-07-2005 01:14 PM



Quick Reply: How-To: 98-00 Cruise Control Pod Lighting Fix/Mod



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:52 AM.